I-Nov — Innovation — is France 2030’s highest-volume startup funding competition: 300+ winners per year, three application cycles annually, and grants reaching €4 million for deeptech startups at the proof-of-concept to early industrialization stage. Where I-Démo requires large consortia and multi-year demonstrators, I-Nov is designed for speed — a six-month evaluation cycle tailored to companies that cannot wait 18 months for a funding decision.
Jointly administered by Bpifrance and ADEME, I-Nov has become France’s primary mechanism for identifying and funding the next generation of France 2030 sector champions at their earliest commercially relevant stage.
I-Nov’s Position: TRL 4 to TRL 6
I-Nov occupies a specific technology readiness window: TRL 4 (technology validated in lab) through TRL 6 (technology demonstrated in relevant environment). This TRL window is precisely where European startups are most vulnerable to underfunding. US deeptech startups at equivalent stages access SBIR/STTR grants, ARPA-E funding, and DOE loan programs totaling hundreds of millions per year. I-Nov is France’s answer: structured, high-volume, and aligned to national strategic priorities.
The 13 Thematic Categories
I-Nov operates through 13 thematic categories, each directly mapped to France 2030 strategic sectors:
- Digital and AI: Machine learning infrastructure, AI safety, foundation models, AI hardware
- Quantum Technologies: Quantum computing hardware, quantum sensing, quantum communications
- Health and Biotherapies: Cell and gene therapy, mRNA platforms, bioproduction processes, medical devices
- Agri-food Innovation: Precision agriculture, alternative proteins, food safety technology
- Hydrogen and Energy Storage: Electrolyzer components, hydrogen storage, fuel cells, battery materials
- Sustainable Mobility: EV components, autonomous vehicles, logistics decarbonization
- Decarbonized Industry: Process electrification, heat pumps, carbon capture, materials substitution
- Nuclear Innovation: SMR components, reactor instrumentation, nuclear waste management
- Space and New Space: Satellite subsystems, launch technology, satellite data exploitation
- Advanced Materials: Composites, biomaterials, critical minerals processing, circular materials
- Cybersecurity and Sovereignty Technologies: Cryptography, secure hardware, trusted cloud
- Defense Dual-Use: Technologies with both defense and civilian applications (co-administered with DGA)
- Ocean and Blue Economy: Marine energy, aquaculture technology, ocean monitoring
Funding Parameters
| Parameter | Amount |
|---|---|
| Minimum grant | €600,000 |
| Maximum grant | €4,000,000 |
| Typical grant | €1,000,000–€2,500,000 |
| Grant rate (companies) | 45–70% of eligible project costs |
| Project duration | 18–36 months |
| Annual call cycles | 3 per year (January, May, September) |
| Annual winners | 300–400 companies |
| Annual budget | Approximately €500M |
Notable I-Nov Winners
DNA Script (Synthetic Biology, 2020): Paris-based startup pioneering enzymatic DNA synthesis. I-Nov funding supported its SYNTAX instrument development. Raised $200M+ from Illumina and Danaher. The I-Nov certification signal was decisive in attracting first institutional investors.
Atawey (Hydrogen Mobility, 2021): Grenoble-based startup developing hydrogen refueling stations for heavy-duty transport. I-Nov backed Atawey’s station design at proof-of-concept stage before deploying at hydrogen bus fleets in Paris and Lyon.
Beyond Aero (Hydrogen Aviation, 2022): Toulouse-based startup developing hydrogen-electric propulsion for business aviation. I-Nov funding supported the company’s first flight demonstrator. Subsequently raised €6.3M Series A.
Wandercraft (Medical Robotics, 2021): Developer of autonomous exoskeleton for patients with lower-limb paralysis. I-Nov funding supported clinical trials and CE marking preparation.
Quandela (Photonic Quantum, 2021–2022): Massy-based photonic quantum computing startup received successive I-Nov grants for single-photon source technology. Raised €50M Series A (2023).
The Three Application Cycles
Cycle 1 (January deadline, results May): Strongest cycle for academic spin-offs launching in January.
Cycle 2 (May deadline, results September): Aligned to VivaTech conference season.
Cycle 3 (September deadline, results January): Lower competition volume due to summer slowdown.
Application requirements:
- Innovation description (maximum 30 pages) including technology description, competitive landscape, IP position, team biography
- Financial projections (3 years post-project)
- Project budget with cost breakdown
- Market analysis (TAM/SAM/SOM)
- Environmental impact assessment (mandatory since 2023)
Evaluation: 6 months from submission to grant notification.
I-Nov vs. Other Mechanisms
| Mechanism | Stage | Project Size | Consortium | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concours Innovation Émergence | Pre-seed | €30K–€100K | Solo OK | 4 months |
| I-Nov | TRL 4–6 | €600K–€4M | Solo OK | 6 months |
| I-Démo | TRL 5–7 | €5M–€30M | Required | 12–18 months |
| First Factory | TRL 7–8 | €1M–€10M | Recommended | 8 months |
Stacking I-Nov with Other France 2030 Instruments
I-Nov winners routinely layer additional funding:
- JEI status: Simultaneous social charge exemption on R&D payroll
- CIR (Crédit d’Impôt Recherche): 30% of I-Nov-funded R&D costs returned via tax credit
- Bpifrance Prêt Innovation: €500K–€5M subordinated loan complementing the grant
- EIC Accelerator: Many I-Nov winners apply for EIC Accelerator as next step
- I-Démo: Successful I-Nov graduates apply for subsequent demonstrator phase
An I-Nov grant of €1.5M can anchor a total public funding package exceeding €10M when all instruments are accessed in sequence.