Grant · France

i-Lab innovation competition (Concours d'innovation i-Lab)

France's national competition for new technology companies, run by Bpifrance for the state. Winners get a grant of up to EUR 600,000 towards research and development costs, plus support.

Closed Run by Bpifrance, for the French state (France 2030)

Apply on the programme's site Programme website

Verified 19 October 2026 · From the programme's own pages

Terms

Funding: not published Grant of up to EUR 600,000 on eligible R&D costs of up to EUR 1M (staff, running costs, equipment, IP, market and feasibility studies, prototypes, advice and training)
Instrument: Grant
Equity taken: not published
Programme fee: not published
Duration: not published
Cohort size: not published
Cohorts: not published
Delivery: not published
Stages: Idea, pre-seed
Sectors: Deep tech
Open to founders from: France
Perks: not published

Applications use the mandatory form and go online only, through Bpifrance's Picxel platform. The 28th edition deadline was 3 February 2026 at noon Paris time.

Application dates

Closed28th edition

Usual timing: The 29th edition is not yet published. The 28th edition took applications from 25 November 2025 to 3 February 2026.

Who can apply

Individuals of any nationality who plan to create an innovative technology company in France, or who created one less than two years ago
The project's technical, economic and legal feasibility must already be established
Proof of concept of the technology is a selection criterion
Stage: idea, pre-seed

What founders should check

The programme does not publish how much equity it takes. Ask before you accept a place.
It does not publish a fee. Ask whether you pay for desks, services or the programme itself.
It does not say whether it runs in person or remotely. Ask before you plan a move.
The last window we track closed on 3 February 2026. The 29th edition is not yet published. The 28th edition took applications from 25 November 2025 to 3 February 2026.

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