What Atlanpole does

Atlanpole is a French public innovation hub headquartered in Nantes, France, operating since 1987 as a Groupement d'Intérêt Public (GIP) — a public interest group under French law. The organization functions simultaneously as a multi-labelled regional incubator for public research, a technopole anchored on the Nantes Université territory, an Atlantic Grand Ouest innovation hub connecting academic and economic actors, and a network of member companies. Its core 'products' are structured accompaniment programs organized across three tracks: pre-incubation (Diagnostic 360, Eco Innovation Factory, Manufacturing Factory, Deeptech Starter, Deeptech Factory, Azimut by Atlanpole), incubation (individual coaching, ESA-BIC Nord France for space technologies), and acceleration (individual coaching, ESA-BIC acceleration). Complementary services include the Deeptech Matching co-founder matching service, the DIVA European Digital Innovation Hub for AI experimentation support to SMEs, and a living member-company network accessible via an online directory.

Atlanpole serves four primary segments: researchers and PhDs seeking to commercialize public research (via Deeptech Starter and Deeptech Factory); early-stage entrepreneurs and startups (via incubation coaching and pre-incubation tracks); SMEs, ETIs, and large companies seeking innovation partnerships and international development (via acceleration, Diagnostic 360, and ESA-BIC); and public/academic institutions (Nantes Université, CNRS, INSERM, IMT Atlantique, CHU de Nantes, ICO, among others) collaborating on technology transfer. The organization benefits from memberships in Retis, EBN, and IASP — three major European and international innovation networks — and co-delivers programs with competitiveness clusters (Pôle Mer Bretagne Atlantique, Images & Réseaux), chambers of commerce (CCI Nantes Saint-Nazaire, CCI Vendée), and technology-transfer structures (SATT Ouest Valorisation).

Atlanpole's business model is institutional rather than commercial. As a GIP, it is funded through a combination of public grants (FEDER co-financing of 56–60% for current 2024-2028 cycles), membership fees from its corporate network, and co-financing from regional authorities (Région Pays de la Loire, Nantes Métropole) and partners (Bpifrance, ADEME). Disclosed FEDER tranches for 2024-2028 total approximately €3.0M against combined operation costs of approximately €5.1M. Services to researchers, entrepreneurs, and SMEs are provided largely free of charge at the point of delivery. Headcount is 11-50, with named leadership including Jean-François Balducchi (Délégué Général), Mathilde François (Directrice de la publication), Simon Boisserpe (DPO), Delphine Corbin-Clénet (Communication and Events), and Éloïse Denis-Péchard (Detection mission officer). Atlanpole's portfolio includes notable alumni and members such as Valneva (publicly listed biotech), MicroEJ (40M+ platforms, 50+ employees), Xenothera (€7.5M raised, 4 worldwide patents), Atlantic Bone Screen (1,000+ preclinical studies across 20+ countries), AI4R (90% international revenue), and Weenat (present in 15 countries).

Name

Atlanpole

Legal name

Groupement d'Intérêt Public (GIP) Atlanpole

Website

https://atlanpole.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Atlanpole is a French public innovation hub (GIP) headquartered in Nantes that delivers pre-incubation, incubation, and acceleration programs to researchers, entrepreneurs, and SMEs in the Pays de la Loire region via a member company network and academic partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Nantes

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership fees and public service funding: Atlanpole operates as a Groupement d'Intérêt Public (GIP) — a public interest grouping — funded through membership fees, public grants, and co-financing from EU funds (FEDER). It provides incubation, acceleration, pre-incubation, and ecosystem services to researchers, entrepreneurs, and SMEs at no direct charge to beneficiaries.

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Atlanpole is a public innovation hub (GIP) that delivers structured accompaniment programs for researchers, entrepreneurs, and SMEs across pre-incubation, incubation, and acceleration phases. Its offering combines certified public-research incubation, technopole operations on the Nantes Université territory, an Atlantic Grand Ouest innovation hub, and a live network of member companies, with named programs including Diagnostic 360, Eco Innovation Factory, Manufacturing Factory, Deeptech Starter, Deeptech Factory, Azimut by Atlanpole, individual coaching in incubation/acceleration, ESA-BIC Nord France, and Deeptech Matching.

Product overview

Atlanpole is a public interest group (GIP) operating as a regional innovation hub, multi-labeled public research incubator, technopole, and business innovation center for Nantes, the Pays de la Loire region, and the Greater Western Atlantic. Its offering is structured as a portfolio of interconnected accompaniment programs spanning the full innovation lifecycle — from pre-incubation (Diagnostic 360, Eco Innovation Factory, Manufacturing Factory, Deeptech Starter, Deeptech Factory, Azimut by Atlanpole) through incubation (individual coaching, ESA-BIC Nord France) to acceleration (individual coaching, ESA-BIC acceleration). These programs are complemented by a living network of member companies, industry events, project calls, and the Deeptech Matching service. Atlanpole does not offer a standalone software product; its 'products' are institutional accompaniment services, and its value lies in connecting researchers, entrepreneurs, and established companies within a structured ecosystem to foster innovation, company creation, and regional economic development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Eco Innovation Factory: Pre-incubation program focused on eco-innovation, environment, and sustainability
• Manufacturing Factory
• Deeptech Starter
• Deeptech Factory
• Azimut by Atlanpole
• ESA-BIC Nord France
• Atlanpole Biotherapies
• DIVA

Products and services

• Pré-incubation (Parcours) Pre-incubation track guiding researchers and entrepreneurs through early validation of an innovative business project, including diagnostic tools (Diagnostic 360) and sector-specific sub-programs (Eco Innovation Factory, Manufacturing Factory, Deeptech Starter, Deeptech Factory, Azimut by Atlanpole).
• Incubation (Parcours) Incubation program for startups with high growth potential, offering individual coaching and access to ESA-BIC Nord France for space-related ventures.
• Accélération (Parcours) Acceleration track for established startups seeking commercial scale, with individual coaching and ESA-BIC acceleration track for space-related and deeptech ventures.
• Réseau des entreprises membres Member company network connecting innovative companies of all sizes and sectors, facilitating networking, partnerships, mutual support, and ecosystem visibility via the online Annuaire des entreprises directory.
• Eco Innovation Factory Pre-incubation track focused on green, environmental, and sustainable innovation themes covering maritime, energy, and environment verticals.
• Manufacturing Factory Pre-incubation track focused on industry and IoT (Internet of Things) innovation themes.
• Deeptech Starter Pre-incubation program (call #10 referenced) for researchers and lab teams to explore entrepreneurial potential of their scientific work and receive support in valorizing research through business creation.
• Deeptech Factory Six-month intensive accompaniment program (cohort #2 referenced) transforming deeptech research projects into structured entrepreneurial ventures, with coaching, project structuring, and expert pitch presentations.
• Azimut by Atlanpole Pre-incubation program deployed across the Saint-Nazaire, La Baule, and Guérande territories, supporting local innovation and entrepreneurship.
• Coaching individuel « incubation » One-on-one coaching service during the incubation phase to help startups structure governance, refine business model, and prepare for fundraising.
• ESA-BIC Nord France European Space Agency Business Incubation centre (ESA-BIC) co-operated by Atlanpole, supporting space-themed and space-derived technology startups through both incubation and acceleration tracks.
• Coaching individuel « accélération » One-on-one coaching service for the acceleration phase, focused on commercial scaling, international development, and strategic pivots.
• Deeptech Matching Service connecting deeptech startups with potential co-founders, matching complementary skills and expertise to strengthen founding teams.

Quantifiable outcome

• €2,091,767.68 in FEDER co-financing secured for 2025-2028 accompaniment programs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers36 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

47 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• RetiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRetis is the European network of science parks and technology parks. Atlanpole's membership provides cross-border ecosystem connections, best practice sharing, and visibility within the European innovation community.
• EBN (European Business & Innovation Centre Network)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEBN is a major European network of Business & Innovation Centres supporting the development of innovative companies. Atlanpole participates as a member, connecting the Grand Ouest ecosystem to European partners.
• IASP (International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIASP is the global association connecting science parks, technology parks, and innovation districts worldwide. Atlanpole's membership positions it in a worldwide network of technology-driven ecosystems.
• CNRS (National Centre for Scientific Research)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCNRS is a key academic partner of Atlanpole, providing a pipeline of research projects and scientific expertise that feed into Atlanpole's incubation and deeptech programs. Researchers from CNRS participate in Deeptech Starter and Deeptech Factory programs.
• Nantes UniversitécoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNantes Université is a founding member of PUI Nantes Université, co-organizing programs like Deeptech Starter and Deeptech Factory with Atlanpole. The university provides research labs, talent, and a base for technology transfer activities on the Atlanpole campus.
• Université d'AngerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversité d'Angers is a member of PUI PREDICT and co-organizes Deeptech Starter programs with Atlanpole, serving the Maine-et-Loire territory.
• Université Gustave EiffelminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner university participating in Deeptech Starter programs. Researchers from Université Gustave Eiffel have been selected for innovation valorization programs.
• Le Mans UniversitéminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of PUI PREDICT, participating in Deeptech Starter programs for researchers from the Le Mans territory.
• INSERMcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerINSERM (National Institute of Health and Medical Research) contributes researchers and expertise to Atlanpole's deeptech programs. A CIFRE thesis and INSERM laboratory (ITUN at CHU de Nantes) are connected to the ecosystem.
• ONIRIScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerONIRIS is a veterinary, food science, and food safety school in Nantes. It partners with Atlanpole on deeptech programs and hosts companies at the Technocampus Alimentation, contributing expertise in food safety, biotechnology, and preclinical evaluation.
• CHU de Nantes (Nantes University Hospital)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCHU de Nantes is a central academic partner, providing clinical research infrastructure and serving as the source of multiple spin-offs supported by Atlanpole (Xenothera, Calypsto, Atonco). The hospital hosts clinical investigation centres used by biotech startups in the network.
• IMT AtlantiquecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIMT Atlantique (Institut Mines-Télécom) is a key engineering school partner. Companies like AI4R and RENARDO TECH benefit from dual incubation with IMT Atlantique's incubator, and the school provides research expertise in digital, energy, and industrial technologies.
• École Centrale de NantescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerÉcole Centrale de Nantes contributes researchers and engineering talent to Atlanpole's programs. Farwind Energy was co-founded by a Centrale Nantes engineer, and the school hosts the Deeptech Factory and other Atlanpole activities at Halle 6 Ouest.
• École des Mines de Nantes / IMT AtlantiquecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerÉcole des Mines de Nantes (now part of IMT Atlantique) has been a long-standing academic partner providing research expertise, engineering talent, and incubation co-delivery for Atlanpole companies.
• Pôle Mer Bretagne AtlantiquecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPôle Mer Bretagne Atlantique is a competitiveness cluster focused on maritime and marine technologies. It co-supports Atlanpole companies (Farwind Energy, Neoline) and collaborates on European projects (e.g., ATLANTIC BRIDGES) and events like Wind for Goods.
• Pôle Images & RéseauxcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPôle Images & Réseaux is a competitiveness cluster in digital technologies, audiovisual, and networks. It provides ecosystem connections, project co-development, and events (Open Innovation Camp) benefiting Atlanpole's digital and AI-focused companies.
• SATT Ouest ValorisationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSATT Ouest Valorisation is a technology transfer acceleration company serving Western France. It co-animates Deeptech Starter and Deeptech Factory programs with Atlanpole, managing intellectual property and licensing for academic spin-offs.
• Atlanpole BiotherapiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAtlanpole Biotherapies is a specialized subsidiary of Atlanpole focused on biotherapy and health innovation. It serves as a business club for health biotech companies, co-organizes the Rencontres Innovation Santé, and provides international promotion for biotech members (e.g., Atlantic Bone Screen, Biofortis).
• La French TechcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAtlanpole is embedded in the La French Tech ecosystem, which provides national and international visibility, funding programs, and a network of French tech companies. La French Tech Vendée collaborates with Atlanpole on initiatives like PopCorn IA.
• Technocampus AlimentationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnocampus Alimentation hosts companies and co-organizes AgroConnect events with Atlanpole and AREA Pays de la Loire. It provides industrial infrastructure and network connections for foodtech and agri-food companies in the ecosystem.
• CCI Nantes Saint-Nazaire and CCI VendéecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Nantes Saint-Nazaire and Vendée co-organize events with Atlanpole (AgroConnect, Rencontres Innovation Santé, PopCorn IA, Salon Industrie Grand Ouest), providing business network access and territorial presence.
• Village by CAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVillage by CA ( Crédit Agricole ) is a startup accelerator and co-working network. It has partnered with Atlanpole on programs (Weenat was hosted there) and shares entrepreneurs for mutual ecosystem development.
• La Cantine Numérique NantesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLa Cantine Numérique is a digital innovation hub in Nantes. It has co-hosted Atlanpole companies (Weenat was a member) and provides collaborative workspace and networking for early-stage digital startups.
• Ecole supérieure des métiers de l'image, du son et de la lumière (Créativ Factory)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCréativ Factory (by Samoa) is a creative industries incubator in Nantes. Naostage benefited from Créativ Factory support alongside Atlanpole's incubation, covering the entertainment and live performance technology sector.
• EDIH DIVA (European Digital Innovation Hub)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEDIH DIVA is a European Digital Innovation Hub piloted by Atlanpole for Pays de la Loire, providing AI experimentation support to SMEs. It is co-financed by FEDER at 56% and aims to serve 43 SMEs with expert AI services.
• Université de NantescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversité de Nantes is a founding member of PUI Nantes Université and a core academic partner. It provides research labs (IC2, LS2N, etc.), clinical research infrastructure via CHU de Nantes, and talent pipelines for Atlanpole's deeptech and health programs.
• École supérieure d'art et de design de Nantes (EESAB)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEESAB contributes design expertise to Atlanpole's ecosystem, supporting companies that require industrial design or user experience innovation. Mentioned in the context of Atlanpole's broad academic partner network.
• IRIAF (Institut national de recherche et d'application pédagogique)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the academic partner network referenced on Atlanpole's site, serving the Niort territory within the broader Pays de la Loire ecosystem.
• ESIROI (École supérieure d'ingénieurs Réunion-Océan Indien)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner within the PUI Nantes Université network, referenced on Atlanpole's partner academic listing.
• INRAEminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerINRAE (National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment) is referenced as an academic partner, contributing expertise in agriculture, food science, and environmental research to the ecosystem.
• ICO (Institut de Cancérologie de l'Ouest)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICO is a major cancer research and treatment centre in Saint-Herblain. It partners with Atlanpole on health innovation programs, hosts clinical studies for biotech startups, and co-organizes the Rencontres Innovation Santé.
• ESE (École Supérieure de l'Education)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the academic partner network listed on Atlanpole's website, contributing expertise in education and training for the innovation ecosystem.
• Le Mans InnovationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovation incubator in Le Mans that co-incubates companies with Atlanpole (e.g., MAÅGM, a deeptech company in geosciences). Represents the PUI PREDICT territory.
• AudenciacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAudencia Business School co-supports the Centrale Nantes/Audencia/Nantes Université Incubateur, which benefits Atlanpole companies like Velco. Audencia contributes business education, entrepreneurship programs, and alumni network access.
• La Ferme DigitaleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLa Ferme Digitale is an association of ~180 AgTech companies co-founded by Jérôme Le Roy of Weenat (an Atlanpole alumnus). It fosters dialogue between agriculture, innovation, and tech actors, operating the GAIA architecture project for AI in agriculture.
• AFSSIminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAFSSI (Association Française des Sociétés de Services et d'Innovations) is referenced as a supporter of Atlantic Bone Screen and represents innovative service companies in the French tech ecosystem.
• La Loco (La Roche-sur-Yon)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLa Loco is a digital innovation hub in Vendée. It co-organizes the PopCorn IA initiative with La French Tech Vendée, CCI Vendée, and Atlanpole to promote AI adoption among local organizations.
• Oryon (La Roche-sur-Yon)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the PopCorn IA collective in Vendée alongside Atlanpole, focusing on driving AI adoption and innovation in the local business community.
• ADN OuestminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerADN Ouest is a digital and tech ecosystem actor in Western France, part of the PopCorn IA collective promoting AI transformation among organizations in the region.
• CRI (Centre Ressources Informatiques)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCRI (Centre Ressources Informatiques) of Pays de la Loire is part of the PopCorn IA collective contributing IT resources and digital expertise to regional AI adoption initiatives.
• La Roche-sur-Yon AgglomérationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLa Roche-sur-Yon Agglomération participates in the PopCorn IA collective alongside Atlanpole, contributing public authority perspective and local territory support for AI-driven innovation.
• PEPITE des Pays de la LoireminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPEPITE is the regional student entrepreneurship network. It co-organizes events with Atlanpole, including an Escape Game Entrepreneuriat featured at PUI Connect 2026.
• AREA Pays de la LoirecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAREA Pays de la Loire (Association Régionale d'Expérimentation Animale) co-organizes AgroConnect with Technocampus Alimentation and Atlanpole, serving as a key partner for agri-food innovation events.
• Concept PEPminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the PopCorn IA collective contributing expertise and network connections to AI adoption initiatives in the Vendée territory.
• Concept PEminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMentioned in the PopCorn IA collective, contributing to AI adoption and digital transformation efforts in the Pays de la Loire region alongside Atlanpole.
• Hub France IAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHub France IA is the national AI hub that publishes the annual AI Cartography. Multiple Atlanpole member companies (BeApp, Clever Cloud, Denv-R, Devana.ai, Ecobot, etc.) are featured in the 2026 edition, with 77 startups from Pays de la Loire cited.
• European Space Agency (ESA) — ESA-BIC programcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAtlanpole operates ESA-BIC Nord France, a business incubator supporting space technology applications. The program is featured in both incubation and acceleration tracks, targeting startups leveraging space data or technologies.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Agoranov: Agoranov is a public deeptech incubator in the Paris-Saclay ecosystem, focused on early-stage deeptech ventures emerging from French public research laboratories. It is highly comparable to Atlanpole's Deeptech Starter / Deeptech Factory programs in serving research-driven spin-offs from accredited public research institutions.
• Paris&Co: Paris&Co is the public economic development and innovation agency of the City of Paris, operating a network of incubators and innovation platforms across multiple sectors. Like Atlanpole, it is a public-sector innovation hub delivering pre-incubation, incubation, and acceleration services, and is the closest French municipal analog to Atlanpole's role in Pays de la Loire.
• INRIA Startup Studio: INRIA Startup Studio is the deeptech startup studio of INRIA, France's national institute for research in digital science and technology. It is directly comparable to Atlanpole's Deeptech programs in originating and incubating research-driven ventures, particularly in digital and AI domains, and similarly tied to French public research.
• BIC Montpellier (Cap Omega / Business & Innovation Centre): BIC Montpellier, located at Cap Omega, is a French Business & Innovation Centre part of the EBN network that provides incubation and acceleration for innovative startups. It is a direct institutional peer to Atlanpole's business incubation role in the French innovation ecosystem and shares EBN membership.
• EuraTechnologies: EuraTechnologies is a major French tech hub and incubator in Lille, originally established as a public-private partnership to drive regional digital transformation. Comparable to Atlanpole in offering pre-incubation, incubation, and acceleration programs, with strong ties to local universities and corporations.
• IMT Starter: IMT Starter is the startup accelerator and pre-incubation program of IMT (Institut Mines-Télécom), the leading French group of engineering schools. It is highly comparable to Atlanpole's deeptech programs, with a similar academic-pipeline origination model and focus on engineering-driven ventures from public research.

Broad incumbents

• Station F: Station F is the world's largest startup campus, located in Paris and operating a portfolio of themed incubation and acceleration programs. It is a broader incumbent in the same French startup-incubation space, with pan-national reach and corporate sponsor backing that contrasts with Atlanpole's regional, public-grant-funded model.
• CEA Tech: CEA Tech is the technology research and innovation arm of the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission, with dedicated startup programs and a major deeptech origination pipeline. It is a broader research-and-incubation incumbent comparable to Atlanpole in driving deeptech venture creation from French public research.
• Sophia Antipolis: Sophia Antipolis is Europe's first and one of the largest science and technology parks, located near Nice. It is a broader incumbent innovation hub providing incubation, real estate, and networking services to innovative companies, comparable in role to Atlanpole but at substantially larger scale and pan-European scope.
• Bpifrance Le Hub / Bpifrance: Bpifrance is France's public investment bank and the central public funder and supporter of French innovative companies. It is a broad incumbent that provides the funding infrastructure Atlanpole channels to its portfolio companies (e.g., i-Lab, French Tech Seed, Innovation Loans), making it both a partner and a higher-level public actor in the same value chain.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/atlanpole

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

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 Atlanpole