Quest for change

What Quest for change does

Quest for Change is a non-profit association (loi 1901) operating as a network of 8 startup incubators across 6 territories of France's Grand Est region — Charleville-Mézières, Épinal, Metz, Mulhouse, Reims, and Strasbourg. Founded in 2021 and managed by SEMIA (registered SIRET 47 844 389 800 026, headquartered at 11 rue de l'Académie, Strasbourg), the network comprises 5 territorial incubators (Innovact, Quai Alpha, Rimbaud'Tech, SEMIA, The Pool) and 3 thematic incubators (Quest for health launched 2022, Quest for industry 2023, Quest for bioeconomy 2024), plus the joint-venture impact incubator La Lucarne (co-founded 2025 with France Active Alsace and Initiatives Durables). The core technology is a codified, sequenced 4-stage incubation methodology — project detection (350+ applications/year), 3-month collective Starter Class (10 project leaders/cohort, 9 cohorts/year), Engagement Committee (7-minute pitch before professional jury, go/no-go decision every 6 months), and individualised incubation — deployed uniformly across all territorial and thematic sites.

The network serves deeptech, healthtech, biotech, industrial, bioeconomy, and impact startups originating from public research and entrepreneurial projects across Grand Est, with documented outcomes including 354.6M€ raised by portfolio companies over 2021-2024, 270 active projects, 216 startups in the community, 100+ deeptech projects since 2021, 34 i-Lab national competition laureates (3 Grand Prix), 1,500+ jobs created, and an 87% territorial retention rate of incubated startups. Each business developer is required to have prior entrepreneurial experience.

The business model is publicly funded rather than revenue-generating from startups: Quest for Change operates on subsidies from the European Union (FEDER), Région Grand Est, and local institutions (Grand Reims, Eurométropole de Metz, Ardenne Métropole, Mulhouse Alsace Agglomération, Strasbourg Eurométropole), with supplementary support from financial partners (CIC Est, Banque Populaire, Caisse d'Épargne, EDF) and strategic partners (La French Tech, PEPITE, Bioeconomy for Change, AgroParisTech, CEBB, ARD, La Ferme Digitale, Solar Impulse Foundation). The reported 6x leverage — every euro of public support generating approximately six euros of private financing — positions the network as a policy instrument for regional economic development rather than a fee-for-service business. Startup founders access programs through formal application and selection-committee processes rather than paid subscriptions, and there is no disclosed fee schedule.

Name

Quest for change

Legal name

SEMIA

Website

https://questforchange.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Quest for Change is a non-profit network of 8 startup incubators across France's Grand Est region, providing sequenced incubation services to deeptech, health, industrial, bioeconomy, and impact startups via 5 territorial and 3 thematic incubators, publicly funded through FEDER and Région Grand Est.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Startup Incubation Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Professional and Management Development Training (611430), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated) (FSANAAAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Change Management & Organizational Development (OD) Training (EDABAIAJ), Change Management & Transformation Leadership (EDABAAAD)

Keywords

• Startup incubation services
• Regional innovation network
• Deeptech incubator programs
• Bioeconomy and health incubation
• Entrepreneur support programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Strasbourg

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Incubation Services (Publicly Funded): Quest for Change operates as a non-profit association (SEMIA) providing incubation services funded by public sources (European Union/FEDER, Region Grand Est, and local institutions). Revenue comes indirectly through structural funding, subsidies, and partner contributions rather than direct fees from startups.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Quest for change is a network of 8 incubators across the Grand Est region of France providing structured startup incubation services through a four-stage methodology: project detection and selection, collective 3-month Starter Class, engagement committee evaluation, and individualised incubation. Offerings include thematic verticals (Health, Industry, Bioeconomy), a student entrepreneurship pathway, and impact-focused programs (Éclosion and Envol) co-run with France Active Alsace and Initiatives Durables. Services are publicly funded and delivered through 5 territorial incubators covering Charleville-Mézières, Épinal, Metz, Mulhouse, Reims, and Strasbourg.

Product overview

Quest for change is a network of 8 incubators operating across the Grand Est region of France, providing a unified platform for startup incubation through a sequenced and proven methodology. The network includes territorial incubators (Innovact, Quai Alpha, Rimbaud'Tech, SEMIA, The Pool) and thematic incubators (Quest for health, Quest for industry, Quest for bioeconomy), plus the impact-focused La Lucarne. The core offering consists of a Starter Class collective incubation program (3 months, 9 cohorts/year) followed by individualized incubation. Specialized services include student entrepreneurship programs through Rimbaud'Tech, i-Lab competition preparation, and the Éclosion and Envol programs for impact projects through La Lucarne. The three excellence sectors are Health, Industry, and Bioeconomy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Quest for change Starter Class

Quantifiable outcome

• 354.6 M€ in funds raised by incubated startups over the 2021–2024 cycle
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers19 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SPARTHA MedicalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSPARTHA Medical is a flagship success story illustrating the Quest model — a deeptech medtech startup translating public academic research into an industrial reference company, with comprehensive support from the network including scientific, regulatory, and financial accompaniment. It won the i-Lab 2021 Grand Prix.
• La French Tech Grand EstcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLa French Tech Grand Est collaborates with Quest for Change on programs such as Bizz & Buzz, Devfest Strasbourg, and ecosystem networking events. French Tech acts as a catalyst and amplifier — creating bridges, providing visibility, and connecting startups to regional, national, and international networks. The relationship is described as natural, fluid, and trust-based.
• France Active AlsacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrance Active Alsace co-founded La Lucarne (impact incubator) with Quest for Change and Initiatives Durables, contributing its expertise in solidarity financing and tailored financial solutions for impact entrepreneurs.
• Initiatives DurablescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInitiatives Durables co-founded La Lucarne alongside Quest for Change and France Active Alsace, bringing its expertise in corporate and local authority support for ecological transition and CSR.
• PEPITE Champagne-ArdennecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPEPITE Champagne-Ardenne is the historic partner for student entrepreneurship, enabling the financing of the student entrepreneurship awareness role and the delivery of the Statut National Étudiant-Entrepreneur (SNEE) locally. It powers the Rimbaud'Tech student incubation pathway.
• MoovjeeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoovjee is currently testing a mentorship program for student entrepreneurs with Rimbaud'Tech, supporting the development of student startup founders.
• Banque de FranceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBanque de France participates as a mentor in workshops for student project leaders at Rimbaud'Tech, contributing expertise through skills sponsorship (mécénat de compétences).
• Solar Impulse FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMickaël Hollé (startup manager at SEMIA/Quest for change) obtained the Solar Impulse Expert certification, enabling the network to evaluate projects with strong environmental and societal impact and to identify and promote 1,000+ efficient solutions for climate and environmental challenges. The foundation has a network of 350+ international experts.
• Yann Arthus-BertrandminorGTM or Marketing PartnerYann Arthus-Bertrand participated as a speaker/partner at the REBOOT event co-organised by Quest for change and SEMIA at the European Parliament (November 2025), helping to federate the innovation, research, and entrepreneurship ecosystem around sustainable models.
• European ParliamentminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe European Parliament hosted the REBOOT event co-organised by Quest for change and SEMIA (November 2025), which brought together committed personalities to discuss and invent sustainable economic models for tomorrow.
• InnovactcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovact is one of the 6 territorial incubators in the Quest for change network, based in Reims. It provides collective incubation (Starter Class) and individual support for innovative startups in the Grand Est.
• Quai AlphacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQuai Alpha is one of the 6 territorial incubators in the Quest for change network, based in Metz. It supports innovative startups including Debya, Inyus, Coqli, and Circa Diem.
• Rimbaud'TechcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRimbaud'Tech is the territorial incubator for Ardennes in the Quest for change network, based in Charleville-Mézières. It focuses on student entrepreneurship and accompanies projects including SIELL.
• SEMIAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSEMIA is the Strasbourg-based territorial incubator and the lead entity of the Quest for change network (registered as an association, SIRET 47 844 389 800 026). It hosts the headquarters and is responsible for the website, data processing, and the overall network methodology.
• The PoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Pool is the territorial incubator in Metz (sister to Quai Alpha) in the Quest for change network. It supports startups including CALINESCENCE, REPLACE, Synermax, and Heart Squad.
• Quest for HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQuest for health is one of the 3 thematic incubators in the Quest for change network, dedicated to health sector startups and deeptech medtech innovation, launched in 2022.
• Quest for IndustrycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQuest for industry is one of the 3 thematic incubators in the Quest for change network, dedicated to industrial innovation and deeptech manufacturing startups, launched in 2023.
• Quest for BioeconomycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQuest for bioeconomy is the thematic incubator dedicated to bioeconomy, sustainable agriculture, and biomass valorisation startups, based in Reims. Launched in 2024 with 48 startups accompanied in its first year, including 1 i-Lab laureate.
• Bioeconomy for ChangecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCompetitiveness cluster and strategic partner of Quest for bioeconomy, providing ecosystem connections in the bioeconomy sector.
• AgroParisTechcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgroParisTech and its innovation labs (InnLabs) partner with Quest for bioeconomy, providing scientific expertise for biomass valorisation and bio-based product development. Alternative Innovation collaborated with AgroParisTech for 2 years on bio-resin development.
• La Ferme DigitalecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgTech accelerator partner of Quest for bioeconomy, connecting startups to the agricultural innovation ecosystem.
• Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne (URCA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerURCA is a partner through its Innovation University Pole (InnoRem) and collaborates with V.E.R.A startup on coffee co-product valorisation research. Also a partner in the i-Lab preparation ecosystem.
• Centre Européen de Biotechnologie et de Bioéconomie (CEBB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEBB is a strategic partner of Quest for bioeconomy, providing biotechnology and bioeconomy research infrastructure and expertise.
• ARD (Agro-industrie en Réseau pour le Développement)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerARD is a specialist in bioprocess industrialisation, partnering with Quest for bioeconomy to help startups move from R&D to commercial-scale production.
• TerrasolisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExperimental farm in Reims partnering with Quest for bioeconomy for testing and validating agricultural and bioeconomy innovations.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Station F: Paris-based world's largest startup campus hosting dozens of partner-led incubation and acceleration programs. Comparable to Quest as an incubator platform, but at much larger scale, with private-sector and corporate programs rather than public regional mission.
• BPI France: France's national public investment bank and operator of the i-Lab deeptech competition that Quest's portfolio startups compete in. BPI runs its own nationwide incubator and accelerator programs, making it both a co-funder and a competitor for deeptech founders across France.

Regional players

• Euratechnologies: Lille-based tech incubator and accelerator operating across Hauts-de-France. Comparable as a regional French incubator ecosystem with public funding, territorial coverage, and startup support programs — though focused more on digital/tech than deeptech/industrial.
• H7 (Lyon): Lyon's regional startup platform hosting multiple accelerators and thematic programs. Comparable to Quest as a multi-incubator regional platform in France, though serving the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region with different sector mix.

Direct peers

• Paris&Co: Paris-based incubator network operating multiple thematic and territorial incubators across the Île-de-France region. Directly comparable to Quest for change as a regional multi-incubator platform with sector specialization (health, greentech, etc.) and publicly-backed incubation methodology.
• Wilco: One of France's largest early-stage accelerators, operating across multiple regions with sector-agnostic startup support programs. Compares to Quest as a structured multi-stage incubation provider serving French early-stage founders, though Wilco is for-profit and Paris-headquartered.
• Agoranov: Paris-based deeptech incubator supporting startups from public research. Highly comparable to Quest for change's health and deeptech verticals — both serve academic-spinout founders with structured incubation, lab-to-market pathways, and connections to French deeptech capital.
• Linksium: Grenoble-based deeptech startup accelerator and technology transfer office linked to Université Grenoble Alpes. Directly comparable to Quest for change as a French public-research deeptech incubator focused on lab-to-market translation, with strong ties to a regional university ecosystem.

Others

• Région Grand Est - Direction de l'Innovation: Regional government innovation directorate and one of Quest's core public funders. Relevant as a strategic ecosystem partner rather than a direct competitor; comparable as a regional innovation-policy actor shaping the funding and policy environment in which Quest operates.

Emerging players

• Makesense: Paris-based impact entrepreneurship support organization running incubation programs for social and environmental entrepreneurs. Highly comparable to Quest's La Lucarne incubator (Éclosion/Envol programs) — both focus on impact founders and ecological/social transitions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries9 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 Quest for change