WILLA
WILLA is a French non-profit association (founded 2005) operating the first accelerator dedicated to gender diversity in tech, supporting women entrepreneurs through 6-month incubation, sector-specific programs (AI, Deeptech, Fintech), coworking, research, and advocacy, funded by corporate sponsorship and public grants.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersParis, France
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What WILLA does
WILLA is a French non-profit association (association loi 1901) founded in 2005 and headquartered at 6 Rue du Sentier in Paris's 2nd arrondissement, operating as the first accelerator dedicated to gender diversity in the French tech ecosystem. Originally founded as Paris Pionnières and rebranded to WILLA in 2022, the organization runs a portfolio of interconnected programs supporting women entrepreneurs — most prominently the 6-month WILLA START incubation (available in-person in Paris or remotely nationwide, starting from 1,290 EUR and co-financed by the EU's FSE+), the WILLA POSSIBLE bootcamp for idea validation, and sector-specific tracks for Women in AI, Deeptech, and Fintech. The offering extends to a Paris-based coworking space (310 EUR/month per desk plus 70 EUR annual membership), the WILLA Institute for collaborative research, WILLA Connect networking events, the annual Sommet des Fondatrices flagship gathering (1,000 participants in 2026), the WILLA Expat program for French founders abroad, the BOOST endowment fund for women in vulnerable situations, and school workshops covering AI bias, entrepreneurship, and confidence-building.
The business model is structured as a multi-stream non-profit operation: roughly half a dozen revenue lines including mandatory association membership fees, coworking subscriptions, training-program tuition (WILLA START), corporate sponsorship and mécénat (patronage), public grants (EU FSE+, Ville de Paris, Région Île-de-France, DGCS), and philanthropy routed through a dedicated endowment fund offering donors a 60% tax deduction. WILLA maintains a deliberately lean core team (1–10 employees) and leverages a network of 150+ expert mentors and 500+ ecosystem partners (BNP Paribas, L'Oréal Fund for Women, Amazon, Microsoft, AWS, HubSpot, HEC Paris, Roland Berger, CNRS, French Tech, Bpifrance, Station F, Orange, PayPal, Banque de France, and others) to deliver program capacity. Annual throughput includes 500 women supported, 150 startups incubated, 14,560 people sensitized, and 450+ active alumni across the French tech ecosystem. The organization is Qualiopi-certified for training (Certificat N°2112_CN_03586), is independently governed (no parent company or external equity), and reports a 9.1/10 participant satisfaction rate with 92% of women reporting increased confidence post-program.
WILLA does not build proprietary technology. Its core "product" is structured human support: incubation programming, mentorship matching, networking convening, advocacy research, and ecosystem brokering between female founders, corporate sponsors, academic institutions, and public funders. Distribution is community-led, primarily direct through the Paris headquarters and remote offerings, supplemented by referral channels through corporate partner ecosystems and earned media (Forbes, Les Echos, Maddyness, BFM Business).
WILLA firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- WILLA
- Legal name
- INCUBATEUR AU FÉMININ (WILLA)
- Website
- https://hellowilla.co
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- WILLA is a French non-profit association (founded 2005) operating the first accelerator dedicated to gender diversity in tech, supporting women entrepreneurs through 6-month incubation, sector-specific programs (AI, Deeptech, Fintech), coworking, research, and advocacy, funded by corporate sponsorship and public grants.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
WILLA industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Startup Incubation and Acceleration Services for Women in Tech
- NAICS
- Other Grantmaking and Giving Services (813219)
- SIC
- Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Technical Bootcamps & Accelerated Reskilling (Full-time/Part-time) (BPAEANAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated) (FSANAAAM)
Keywords
Where WILLA is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Paris
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
WILLA business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Membership fees: Annual mandatory membership to the association for coworking users and participants.
- Coworking subscriptions: Monthly coworking desk rental at 310 EUR/month plus 70 EUR annual membership fee.
- Training programs: WILLA START program priced from 1,290 EUR for a 6-month incubation program (co-financed by FSE+ for in-person version).
- Sponsorship and philanthropy: Corporate sponsors and partners fund programs and the WILLA foundation. Corporate partners engage through sponsorship, patronage (mécénat), training for employees, and custom partnerships.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Coworking desk — 310 EUR/month |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | WILLA START — 6-month incubation from 1,290 EUR |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
WILLA product offering
Product offeringCore offering
WILLA operates as a non-profit accelerator offering a 6-month incubation program (WILLA START, from 1,290 EUR) for women entrepreneurs in tech, a bootcamp (WILLA POSSIBLE) for idea validation, sector-specific programs (Women in AI, Deeptech, Fintech, Tech, Expat), a Paris coworking space (310 EUR/month), networking events (WILLA Connect), and an annual Sommet des Fondatrices summit. It also runs an endowment fund (WILLA endowment fund, established 2018) supporting women in vulnerable situations and delivers school workshops on AI bias and entrepreneurship.
Product overview
WILLA is a French accelerator dedicated to gender diversity in technology and entrepreneurship, founded in 2005. The organization operates as an ecosystem of interconnected programs: WILLA START serves as the flagship 6-month incubation program, complemented by sector-specific tracks (Women in AI/Deeptech, Women in Tech, WILLA Expat) and the WILLA POSSIBLE bootcamp for idea validation. The offering extends to WILLA Institute for collaborative research, WILLA Connect for networking events, and the annual Sommet des Fondatrices. Physical offerings include a coworking space in Paris. The BOOST endowment fund addresses women in vulnerable situations, while school intervention programs aim to demystify technology careers. Two monthly newsletters provide ongoing community engagement. The portfolio functions as a comprehensive support system from idea testing through business development, with a dual focus on direct entrepreneurship support and broader advocacy work.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- WILLA START: A 6-month program to help female entrepreneurs develop their startup, available in-person in Paris or remotely across France.
- WILLA POSSIBLE
- WILLA Expat
- WILLA Women in AI
- WILLA Women in Tech
- WILLA Institute
- WILLA Connect
Products and services
- WILLA START A 6-month incubation program that helps women entrepreneurs transform their ideas into concrete projects and develop their businesses. Available in-person at the Paris headquarters (co-financed by FSE+) or remotely nationwide. Starting from 1,290 EUR.
- WILLA POSSIBLE A bootcamp program that allows women entrepreneurs to test their business ideas before committing to the full WILLA START 6-month incubation. Helps validate concepts and prepare for startup launch.
- WILLA Women in AI A program supporting startup teams in the artificial intelligence sector, helping promote a new generation of women founders in AI innovation.
- WILLA Women in Deeptech A program supporting startup teams in the deeptech sector, helping promote a new generation of women founders in deeptech innovation.
- WILLA Women in Tech The incubator component of WILLA, providing comprehensive support for ambitious women founders in the technology sector.
- WILLA Expat A program specifically designed for French expatriate women entrepreneurs living abroad who want to start a business, providing support tailored to their unique cross-border challenges.
- WILLA Coworking Physical coworking space in the Sentier district of Paris (2nd arrondissement) offering inclusive workspace with meeting rooms, phone booths, printing (50 copies/month), coffee/tea, and high-speed fiber. Priced at 310 EUR HT/month plus 70 EUR annual membership.
- WILLA Connect Exclusive networking events connecting women-led startups with experts and companies around strategic business challenges.
- Sommet des Fondatrices Annual flagship summit bringing together women entrepreneurs and those ready to take the leap. Features workshops, conferences, networking, Demo Day, and Speed Invest Meetings. The 2026 edition hosted 1,000 participants, 150 meetings, 30 speakers, and 12 partners at Théâtre de Paris. Co-organized with France Digitale and SISTA.
- BOOST Fund (Fonds de dotation WILLA) Endowment fund focused on reducing inequalities in access to entrepreneurship for women in vulnerable situations. Supports professional integration through sensitization, workshops, training, and personalized coaching across France. Corporate donors receive 60% tax deduction on donations up to 0.5% of revenue.
- School Intervention Programs Educational workshops for schools and universities including 'Demasculinize AI' (3 hours, understanding gender biases in AI), 'In the Shoes of a Tech Entrepreneur' (for female students), 'Build Self-Confidence', and 'Entrepreneurship as a Career Choice' (2 hours). Can be delivered on-site at schools, at WILLA Paris HQ, or remotely.
- WILLA Institute Collaborative research initiative through which WILLA co-constructs reference studies on inequalities between women and men (e.g., the Gender Gap study with Roland Berger and France Digitale), producing knowledge to advance gender equality in entrepreneurship and innovation.
Quantifiable outcome
- 9.1/10 participant satisfaction rate
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use WILLA
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
WILLA technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
WILLA partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.
- France DigitalecoreFrance Digitale co-organizes the annual Sommet des Fondatrices with WILLA and SISTA. The partnership aims to advance female entrepreneurship in innovation by combining WILLA's incubation expertise with France Digitale's network of digital entrepreneurs and investors.
- SISTAcoreSISTA co-organizes the Sommet des Fondatrices with WILLA and France Digitale. SISTA promotes diversity in tech and investment, and WILLA provides the incubation and community layer for the shared mission of gender equality in entrepreneurship.
- French TechflagshipFrench Tech supports WILLA as a key player in the French tech ecosystem advancing gender equality and female entrepreneurship. WILLA is recognized as the first accelerator for mixity in tech.
- BpifranceflagshipBpifrance (Banque Publique d'Investissement) is a long-standing partner of WILLA, supporting female entrepreneurship through funding and ecosystem recognition. Bpifrance features WILLA in its editorial coverage on fintech and women entrepreneurs.
- Roland BergerflagshipRoland Berger collaborated with WILLA and France Digitale to produce the 2024 Gender Gap study, providing research and analytical expertise on female entrepreneurship in innovation in France.
- CNRSflagshipWILLA partnered with CNRS to produce a report on 'De la formation à l'innovation' examining gender disparities in scientific careers and valorization pathways, with the goal of making equality a lever for scientific excellence.
- Station FcoreStation F, the world's largest startup campus, is a partner of WILLA, reflecting shared goals of supporting diverse entrepreneurs within the French tech ecosystem.
- La RuchecoreLa Ruche (coworking network supporting social impact) partners with WILLA to foster inclusive entrepreneurship and support women founders.
- SimploncoreSimplon (coding school focused on diversity) partners with WILLA to promote tech careers and entrepreneurship for women.
- CCI Paris Île-de-FranceflagshipThe Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry supports WILLA as part of its mission to promote entrepreneurship and gender equality in the business ecosystem.
- AWSflagshipAWS (Amazon Web Services) partners with SISTA and BNP Paribas on the SISTA IA promotion featured at the Sommet des Fondatrices, providing cloud resources and support to women-led AI startups.
- HubSpot for StartupsflagshipHubSpot for Startups sponsors the Sommet des Fondatrices, providing marketing and growth tools to women-led startups.
- HEC ParisflagshipHEC Paris sponsors the Sommet des Fondatrices, contributing to the advancement of female entrepreneurship through education and alumni networks.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
WILLA competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
WILLA social profiles
Digital presenceWILLA compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
WILLA financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
WILLA leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
WILLA funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
WILLA M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about WILLA
What does WILLA do?
WILLA operates as a non-profit accelerator offering a 6-month incubation program (WILLA START, from 1,290 EUR) for women entrepreneurs in tech, a bootcamp (WILLA POSSIBLE) for idea validation, sector-specific programs (Women in AI, Deeptech, Fintech, Tech, Expat), a Paris coworking space (310 EUR/month), networking events (WILLA Connect), and an annual Sommet des Fondatrices summit. It also runs an endowment fund (WILLA endowment fund, established 2018) supporting women in vulnerable situations and delivers school workshops on AI bias and entrepreneurship.
Is WILLA a public or private company?
WILLA is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was WILLA founded?
WILLA was founded in 2005. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is WILLA based?
WILLA is headquartered in Paris, France, in the Europe region.
How does WILLA make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Membership fees are the primary driver. The others are coworking subscriptions, training programs and sponsorship and philanthropy.
Does WILLA have an API?
No public API is recorded for WILLA.
What industry is WILLA in?
WILLA's product category is Startup Incubation and Acceleration Services for Women in Tech. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAEANAE, Technical Bootcamps & Accelerated Reskilling (Full-time/Part-time), with a secondary code of FSANAAAM, Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated). Its NAICS code is 813219 and its SIC code is 8742.