NextMove

What NextMove does

NextMove is a non-profit competitiveness cluster (pôle de compétitivité) under French association law (loi de 1901) that federates the automotive and mobility innovation ecosystem across the Normandy and Île-de-France regions, where 70% of French automotive R&D is concentrated and over 1,000 companies employ 25% of France's 400,000 upstream automotive workforce. The cluster serves a member base of 450+ organizations spanning large OEMs (Renault, Stellantis, Valeo, Continental, Forvia), SMEs, startups, research labs (CNRS, Institut Carnot, IFSTTAR, IFPEN, CETIM), and regional authorities, offering a two-tier service structure: Exclusif Adhérent services bundled into membership and Solutions PLUS consulting/training available to all at preferential member rates.

The core technology offering centers on ecosystem facilitation rather than proprietary products. Key platforms include DIHNAMO (a European Digital Innovation Hub co-financed at 50% by the European Commission with a 2.6M€ budget for digital transformation in Normandy), NextFab (a mobile Industry 4.0 demonstrator covering IoT, AI, collaborative robotics, AR, and additive manufacturing, 80% EU/regionally subsidized), the Genesis platform for circular-economy workforce and equipment sharing, Autodiagnostic 4.0 (a free 360° digital maturity self-assessment tool), the Haxoneo collective purchasing platform, and a Project Call Aggregation Platform filtering regional, national, and European funding opportunities. An embedded Bpifrance expert supports R&D project financing, and NextMove holds Gold Label European Cluster Management Excellence, ISO 9001, and Qualiopi certifications.

The business model combines annual membership fees (primary recurring revenue), Qualiopi-certified professional training (eligible for OPCO skills-operator financing), expert consulting (Prestation Conseil Expert) for project dossier preparation and strategic monitoring, and access to the Haxoneo collective purchasing platform. Revenue is augmented by government and European Commission grants under the Phase V competitiveness cluster mandate (2023-2026). Go-to-market is sales-led and community-driven, with the permanent team running direct outreach, annual conventions (START), factory visits (Destination Usine), webinars, matchmaking sessions, and international missions (Beijing, Basque Country, Portugal, Netherlands). Customer segments include startups/SMEs and large enterprises as primary, with research labs, regional authorities, and defense-diversification targets as secondary segments.

Name

NextMove

Legal name

NextMove

Website

https://nextmove.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

NextMove is a French non-profit competitiveness cluster federating 450+ automotive and mobility members across Normandy and Île-de-France, delivering project labeling, Qualiopi-certified training, EU-backed digital hubs (DIHNAMO), and ecosystem services to OEMs, suppliers, SMEs, and research labs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint-Étienne-du-rouvray

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees constitute the primary revenue stream. Membership fees grant access to exclusive services including project labeling, expert networks, financing orientation, personalized follow-up, network connections, visibility, and preferential pricing on training and consulting services.
2. Training Services (Solutions PLUS): NextMove offers professional training programs certified Qualiopi, enabling financing through OPCO (skills operators). Training catalog covers automotive and mobility sector transitions including electrification, AI, regulations, Industry 4.0, and European projects. Available at preferential rates for members.
3. Expert Consulting Services: Customized expert consulting engagements (Prestation Conseil Expert) in project dossier assembly, technical-economic evaluation, strategic monitoring, and competitiveness cluster expertise. Bpifrance expert embedded in the team. Additional paid service beyond included labeling.
4. Collective Purchasing Platform (Haxoneo): Members gain access to the Haxoneo collective purchasing platform included in membership, offering negotiated discounts on business purchases. Platform provides centralized procurement at pre-negotiated rates.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

NextMove operates a competitiveness cluster that federates 450+ automotive and mobility members (SMEs, large groups, research labs, regional authorities) across Normandy and Île-de-France, delivering annual membership services (Exclusif Adh\u00e9rent) plus customized Solutions PLUS packages. Core deliverables include project labeling and financing orientation, Qualiopi-certified training, expert consulting, the DIHNAMO digital innovation hub, the NextFab Industry 4.0 mobile demonstrator, the Genesis circular economy platform, and the Haxoneo collective purchasing platform.

Product overview

NextMove is a competitiveness cluster (pôle de compétitivité) for the French automotive and mobility sector operating in Normandy and Île-de-France. The organization offers a two-tiered service structure: Services Exclusif Adhérent (exclusive member services included in membership) and Solutions PLUS (customized solutions available to all with member discounts). Key products include DIHNAMO (Normandy Digital Mobility - a European Digital Innovation Hub focused on connected, safe, and sustainable mobility), NextFab (Industry 4.0 mobile training demonstrator), and the Genesis platform (circular economy worker/production sharing). Core services span strategic support, network expansion, project labeling/accreditation, funding guidance, business coaching via the Mobility Business Accelerator, market intelligence, European monitoring, and outsourced training management. The cluster also supports defense sector diversification, additive manufacturing deployment, and maintains a Solutions Catalog connecting industrial providers with members. All services are designed to accelerate innovation, industrialization, and international development for startups, SMEs, ETIs, large groups, research labs, and local authorities within the automotive and mobility ecosystem.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DIHNAMO: Normandy Digital Mobility - Digital Innovation Hub supporting digital transformation of businesses and local authorities with specialization in connected, safe, and sustainable mobility.
• NextFab
• Genesis

Products and services

• Catalogue des Formations Automobile & Mobilités Qualiopi-certified professional training catalog dedicated to automotive and mobility sector professions and transitions, developed by and for industry actors and delivered by active experts from the ecosystem of over 450 members. Covers topics including electrification, AI, regulations, Industry 4.0, and European projects. In 2025, 184 professionals were trained with a 59% satisfaction rate. Available for in-company (intra) and inter-company sessions, in-person and remote.
• NextFab - Démonstrateur Industrie 4.0 Mobile Industry 4.0 technology demonstrator offering immersive training for industrial professionals (PMEs and ETIs) to discover, test, and master digital tools before integrating them into their processes. Covers IoT, AI, collaborative robotics, Big Data, augmented reality, MES, and additive manufacturing through a modular production line. Available as 1-day training or half-day awareness workshop.
• DIHNAMO - Normandy Digital Mobility European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) supporting digital transformation of Normandy businesses and local authorities, specializing in connected, safe, and sustainable mobility. Services include digital acculturation, development strategy, R&D support, business acceleration, training, and financing orientation. Co-financed at 50% by the European Commission and Normandy Region.
• Plateforme Genesis Circular economy platform enabling companies to lend and borrow workforce or production equipment across sectors in legal compliance with labor legislation. Helps industrial firms manage temporary workforce fluctuations and share production assets.
• Catalogue Solutions & Offreurs de Solutions Digital showcase for industrial solutions and service providers within the NextMove ecosystem, connecting solution providers with potential partners and clients among cluster members.
• Autodiagnostic 4.0 Free 360° self-diagnostic tool helping industrial companies evaluate their position on the Future Industry roadmap, identify impacting priorities, and benchmark against other industry players in approximately one hour.
• Prestation Conseil Expert Customized expert consulting based on over 15 years of experience in innovation strategy and industrialization. Covers project dossier preparation, technical-economic evaluation, strategic monitoring, and competitiveness cluster expertise. References include Groupe Renault, Groupe PSA, Valeo, Faurecia, Continental, Hutchinson, Michelin, Plastic Omnium, Schneider Electric, and STMicroelectronics.
• Défense & Diversification Defense sector diversification support service helping industrial companies understand the defense sector, identify action levers, and credibly position themselves on high-stakes defense projects and partnerships. Delivered via the cluster's official partnership with the DGA (Direction Générale de l'Armement).

Quantifiable outcome

• 50%+ of labeled projects obtain financing; 80% of expert-supported projects obtain financing; 362 of 670 labeled projects have been funded
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DGA (Direction Générale de l'Armement / French Defense Procurement Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 May 2026NextMove is an official partner of the DGA (Direction Générale de l'Armement), France's defense procurement and R&D agency. This partnership enables NextMove to support its member companies in diversifying into defense markets. The collaboration identifies dual-use technologies, facilitates networking between defense needs and automotive/mobility capabilities, and provides access to the DGA PME Tour and other defense ecosystem events.
• VEDECOM (Institut de la Transition Énergétique)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 December 2025VEDECOM is an energy transition institute focused on mobility. NextMove has been a historic partner, supporting the inauguration of the MobiXlab (December 2025) and collaborating on training, R&D, and innovation projects. Joint white papers on electric mobility training have been published.
• Avere-France / Advenir Formation ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 December 2025NextMove was re-selected as the regional operator for Normandy of the Advenir Formation program, which supports information and training actions on electric mobility. This follows Avere-France's labeling of NextMove as the regional operator.
• INPI (Institut National de la Propriété Industrielle)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 December 2025NextMove and INPI renewed their partnership for four years (until June 2029) to help automotive and mobility actors in Normandy and Île-de-France protect their intellectual property. The partnership covers AI-generated content, embedded software, digital twins, and other intangible innovations. INPI provides expertise on patents, trademarks, and IP strategy.
• PFA (Pôle de la Filière Automobile)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024PFA is the national automotive and mobility platform in France. NextMove collaborates with PFA on joint initiatives including the French Mobility Days international mission to Beijing (April 2026), market analysis letters, and industry roadmap coordination.
• CARA (Cluster Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Mobilités)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2022Inter-cluster partnership for joint international missions (e.g., Basque Country mobility mission, cycling industry Portugal mission). CARA and NextMove co-organize delegations to connect members with international ecosystems.
• ID4MOBILITY (Pôle de compétitivité)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2022Inter-cluster partnership for international missions. ID4MOBILITY and NextMove co-organized missions including the Basque Country mobility expo and cycling industry visit to Portugal.
• RAI Automotive Industry NL (Netherlands)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2022Dutch automotive cluster partner for hydrogen and powertrain delegations. NextMove has hosted three consecutive annual Dutch hydrogen delegations (January 2022, 2024, 2026) and two powertrain delegations (June 2022, June 2023).
• AVERE FranceminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Premium partner. AVERE France is the national association for electric mobility promotion. NextMove collaborates with AVERE on electric mobility training, the Advenir Formation program, and joint events.
• Grand Prix Automobile Club de France - AutotechminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Premium partner. ACF Autotech is the reference automotive innovation competition. NextMove partners to promote member innovation and connect startups with the automotive ecosystem.
• Mobil'in Pulse (ex-ATEC ITS France)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Premium partner. Mobil'in Pulse focuses on intelligent transportation systems. NextMove collaborates on mobility technology events and projects.
• Software RépubliqueminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Premium partner. Software République is an open innovation ecosystem for software-defined mobility. NextMove collaborates with Renault Group and other partners in this ecosystem.
• Moove LabminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Premium partner. Moove Lab is an automotive and mobility accelerator. Collaboration on innovation support and member acceleration services.
• Automobile Club de France (ACF) - AutotechminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2021NextMove has been partner of the ACF AutoTech competition since 2021, supporting innovation scouting and providing a platform for member startups to compete in this prestigious automotive innovation award.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• VEDECOM: VEDECOM is a French energy transition institute for mobility and a NextMove historic partner that recently inaugurated the MobiXlab. It is structurally more research-focused than a cluster manager, but its mission — supporting mobility R&D and training for French industry — overlaps directly with NextMove's strategic mission.
• Software République: Software République is an open innovation ecosystem for software-defined mobility founded by Renault and partners; NextMove lists it as a premium partner. It is an emerging ecosystem player that, like NextMove, focuses on connecting mobility players around innovation, but with a narrower software/AI emphasis.

Regional players

• RAI Automotive Industry NL: RAI Automotive Industry NL is the Dutch automotive industry association with which NextMove runs annual hydrogen and powertrain delegations. It is the closest foreign peer operating as a national automotive cluster manager in another European geography.

Others

• AVERE France: AVERE France is the French national association promoting electric mobility and runs the Advenir Formation program; NextMove is its regional operator in Normandy. AVERE overlaps thematically with NextMove's electric mobility training mission but is a sectoral association rather than a cluster manager.
• Mobil'in Pulse (formerly ATEC ITS France): Mobil'in Pulse (formerly ATEC ITS France) focuses on intelligent transportation systems and is a NextMove premium partner. It is an industry association addressing adjacent intelligent-mobility themes, complementing rather than competing with NextMove's cluster scope.

Broad incumbents

• AFPC (Association Française des Pôles de Compétitivité): AFPC is the national association that federates French competitiveness clusters and through its 'hi France' label supports defense-mobility crossover. It serves as the industry's overarching voice on French industrial policy and is a peer-level trade organization for the same cluster-management ecosystem NextMove operates in.
• PFA (Pôle de la Filière Automobile): PFA is the national-level French automotive and mobility platform that coordinates the industry roadmap at a national level. NextMove collaborates with PFA on international missions and market intelligence, but PFA operates as a broader umbrella of which regional clusters like NextMove are constituent parts.

Direct peers

• CARA (Cluster Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Mobilités): CARA is another French competitiveness cluster focused on automotive and mobility, operating in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. NextMove and CARA co-organize international missions (Basque Country, Portugal cycling industry), and are direct peers within the French pôle de compétitivité network serving overlapping automotive/mobility members.
• ID4MOBILITY: ID4MOBILITY is a French competitiveness cluster focused on intelligent mobility systems, partnering with NextMove on joint international missions. It addresses overlapping automotive/mobility ecosystem themes through projects, training, and member services comparable to NextMove's offerings.
• Pôle TES (Transition Énergétique & Stockage): Pôle TES is NextMove's joint partner in operating DIHNAMO (Normandy Digital Mobility EDIH). It is a Normandy-based competitiveness cluster in energy transition/storage with comparable cluster management, project labeling, and EU co-financing structures, making it a close operational peer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCuGu3gLfAyk_z8yvCedqIMg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nextmovecluster
• Xx.com/nextmovecluster

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about NextMove