Definition
i-Nov (Innovation Startup) is France 2030’s primary competition for early-stage innovative startups, managed by Bpifrance as part of the broader Concours d’Innovation framework. It provides grants of €300,000 to €5 million to startups commercializing innovative technologies in France 2030 priority sectors. i-Nov targets companies at Technology Readiness Levels 3–7 — projects where the basic concept has been validated but where pre-commercial development, prototype refinement, or early market testing remains. Competitions are launched multiple times per year with thematic focus areas aligned to France 2030’s strategic objectives.
Role in France 2030
i-Nov is the primary entry point for startups into the France 2030 funding ecosystem. For a pre-Series A startup working on a technology with clear France 2030 relevance — quantum computing, green hydrogen, advanced biotherapeutics, AI hardware, battery materials — i-Nov provides non-dilutive public capital that extends runway and enables technical milestones that unlock private investment.
The practical structure of i-Nov grants is typically a mix of non-repayable grant (subvention) and repayable advance (avance remboursable), with the proportion varying by project stage and risk level. The repayable component is returned as a percentage of revenue if the project achieves commercial success — aligning the public investment with commercial outcomes rather than creating open-ended grants regardless of results.
i-Nov competitions are thematic: each competition wave focuses on a specific France 2030 priority (for example, “i-Nov Quantique” for quantum technologies, or “i-Nov Biomédicament” for bioproduction innovations). Companies must demonstrate that their project falls within the thematic scope and meets France 2030’s strategic criteria. This thematic structuring makes i-Nov competitions highly legible: a startup knows immediately whether its technology aligns with an active competition wave, and can time its application accordingly.
Key Facts
- Grant range: €300,000–€5 million (grant + repayable advance combination)
- Technology Readiness Level target: TRL 3–7 (early innovation to pre-commercial demonstrator)
- Managed by Bpifrance; multiple themed waves per year
- Eligibility: typically startups under 250 employees and under 8 years old
- Thematic calls aligned to France 2030 sectors: quantum, hydrogen, AI, biomedical, aviation, etc.
- Can be combined with JEI social charge exemptions and CIR tax credits
- Successful i-Nov companies often progress to i-Démo for larger-scale demonstration support
Why It Matters
For French and foreign startups with technologies relevant to France 2030’s strategic sectors, i-Nov is one of the most valuable non-dilutive funding sources available. The grant quantum — up to €5 million — is substantial enough to fund meaningful technical development without requiring founders to give up equity. The reputational benefit of winning an i-Nov competition — government validation of technology approach and market thesis — is an additional asset in subsequent investor conversations.
For the France 2030 ecosystem, i-Nov serves as a funnel: by identifying promising startups early, Bpifrance builds relationships and knowledge that inform later-stage investment decisions. The i-Nov track record also provides data on which technology approaches are generating viable companies versus which are research dead-ends — a valuable input to France 2030’s evolving strategic priorities.