Auvalie Innovation

What Auvalie Innovation does

Auvalie Innovation is a French SAS-headquartered niche consulting firm, founded in 2008 by Frédéric Grévaud and Pierre Cléau (former PwC financial auditors), specializing in innovation financing advisory for startups, SMEs, ETIs and large groups across France. The firm's core offering covers the full French public R&D financing stack — Crédit d'Impôt Recherche (CIR), Crédit d'Impôt Innovation (CII), Crédit d'Impôt Collaboration de Recherche (CICo), Jeune Entreprise Innovante (JEI) status, and public subsidies via Bpifrance, ADEME and European programs — alongside private fundraising advisory, outsourced CFO services (Direction Financière Externalisée), and business plan training. Its methodology is built around a 3-pillar framework (strategy, optimization, ongoing management) and a scientific audit process aligned to the OECD Frascati Manual's five eligibility criteria, delivered by a multidisciplinary team of ~25 consultants that includes PhD scientists, engineers from Mines/EMSE and chartered accountants. This rare combination of scientific and fiscal expertise, combined with MIE referral status since 2015, ISQ-OPQCM and ISO 9001 certifications, and Bpifrance expert recognition, underpins the firm's positioning.

The firm generates revenue exclusively through professional services fees on bespoke engagements plus a recurring group training product (BP Sprint, priced at €3,990 per participant and financeable up to 70% via OPCO and regional funds). Distribution is direct-sales-led through six regional offices (Lyon HQ, Grenoble, Orléans, Biarritz, Paris, Rennes) providing nationwide coverage, supplemented by content-driven inbound generation via expert guides, a blog, and free 30-minute discovery calls. Lead flow is reinforced by ecosystem credibility — TOP 10 ranking by Décideurs magazine for three consecutive years, ACI leadership (President since 2022), and institutional partnerships with Bpifrance, the Médiateur des Entreprises, French Tech and Régions de France. In 2019 the firm created a wholly-owned subsidiary, Auvalie Business Center, providing co-working and startup hosting as an adjacent physical infrastructure play.

Recent scale indicators include 300+ projects per year, 130+ active clients, and €35M+ in financing obtained for clients annually — though this latter figure reflects client outcomes rather than Auvalie's own revenue, which is not publicly disclosed. The firm's value proposition is centered on maximizing non-dilutive R&D financing (CIR reimburses up to 30% of qualifying R&D spend; CICo up to 50% of collaborative research costs) while reducing fiscal exposure through advance rulings (reported 99% favorable JEI rescript response rate) and audit-readiness documentation. Customer retention is demonstrated by multi-year engagements (e.g., New Rfid Concept for 14+ years). The firm is privately held with €123,200 declared capital and no disclosed external investors, operating as a founder-led SAS with co-founders actively managing the business.

Name

Auvalie Innovation

Legal name

Auvalie Innovation

Website

https://auvalie.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Auvalie Innovation is a French consulting firm advising startups, SMEs, ETIs and large groups on optimizing public R&D tax incentives (CIR, CII, CICo, JEI) and securing non-dilutive financing through Bpifrance and European programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Lyon

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Public Innovation Financing Consulting: Advisory services on French public R&D tax incentive programs including CIR (Crédit Impôt Recherche), CII (Crédit Impôt Innovation), CICo (Crédit Impôt Collaboration de Recherche), JEI (Jeune Entreprise Innovante) status, and public subsidies (Bpifrance, ADEME, European grants). Revenue generated through professional service fees for audit, declaration, and strategic advisory engagements.
2. Private Financing Consulting: Advisory on private fundraising (fundraising coaching, investor relations, due diligence support), outsourced CFO services (Direction Financière Externalisée), and broader financial advisory for innovative companies.
3. BP Sprint Business Plan Training: 6-day group training program (6 participants per cohort, 6–8 weeks) on business plan development, investor documents, and fundraising mechanics. Price: €3,990 per participant, partially financeable through regional funding (up to 70%).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Auvalie Innovation is a French consulting firm that advises startups, SMEs, and mid-market companies on optimizing French public R&D tax incentives including CIR (Crédit Impôt Recherche), CII (Crédit Impôt Innovation), CICo (Crédit Impôt Collaboration de Recherche), and JEI (Jeune Entreprise Innovante) status. The firm also provides advisory on public subsidies (Bpifrance, ADEME, European grants), private fundraising, business financial planning, outsourced CFO services, and a business plan training program (BP Sprint).

Product overview

Auvalie Innovation offers a comprehensive suite of innovation financing consulting services, organized around public funding mechanisms (CIR, CII, CICo, JEI, public grants) and private financing advisory (fundraising, financial consulting, outsourced CFO). The core offering consists of specialized consulting for French fiscal innovation incentives, complemented by financial advisory services, business training (BP Sprint), and educational guides. The portfolio centers on maximizing public and private funding for R&D and innovation projects, with services designed to work synergistically across the innovation funding lifecycle.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Conseil en CIR (Crédit Impôt Recherche) Consulting service to help innovative companies optimize, secure, and maximize their Research Tax Credit (CIR), which finances up to 30% of R&D expenses. Targets startups, SMEs, and ETIs with eligible R&D activities across all technology sectors.
• Conseil en CII (Crédit Impôt Innovation) Consulting service for SMEs to identify and secure the Innovation Tax Credit (CII) for the development of innovative products not currently available on the market. Includes eligibility assessment and filing support.
• Conseil en CICo (Crédit Impôt Collaboration de Recherche) Consulting service to help companies leverage the Collaborative Research Tax Credit (CICo/CRC), which finances 40-50% of collaborative research costs with public research organisms. Covers ORDC cost qualification, cascade subcontracting rules, and the €6M ceiling application.
• Conseil en JEI (Jeune Entreprise Innovante) Consulting service to help young innovative companies obtain and maintain JEI status, securing fiscal and social exemptions for up to 8 years. Includes the managed procedure for obtaining advance rulings (rescrit fiscal) from the French tax administration.
• Conseil en Subventions Publiques Consulting service to identify, apply for, and manage public grants and subsidies (Bpifrance, ADEME, European funding) for innovation projects. Includes monitoring, application preparation, and ongoing project follow-up.
• Conseil en Levée de Fonds Strategic advisory and support for private fundraising, including investor connections, due diligence preparation, and negotiation assistance for innovative companies seeking capital.
• Conseil Financier aux Entreprises Financial advisory services including financial planning, business plan development, management control, and financing optimization for innovative companies across all growth stages.
• Direction Financière Externalisée Part-time CFO services for startups and innovative SMEs, providing financial leadership and innovation financing management without the cost of a full-time executive.
• Formation BP Sprint Six-day intensive business plan training program for cohorts of 6 project leaders, covering innovation financing strategy, business plan mechanics, investor documents, and pitch presentation. Priced at €3,990 per participant, partially financeable through regional funds (up to 70%) and OPCO.

Quantifiable outcome

• €35M+ financing obtained per year for clients
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 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

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and minor.

• BpifrancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational public investment bank and key partner in the French innovation financing ecosystem. Auvalie Innovation is a Bpifrance-recognized expert for CIR mobilization and European project (H2020) advisory. Bpifrance provides financing and guarantees that Auvalie channels to clients through subsidy and financing advisory.
• Médiateur des Entreprises (MIE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench government's business mediator under the Ministry of Economy. Auvalie Innovation is officially referenced (référencé) as an approved CIR-CII consulting firm since 2015, providing official government endorsement and access to institutional networks.
• French TechcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational initiative supporting French tech startups and scaleups. Auvalie Innovation is part of the French Tech ecosystem, facilitating connections with innovative companies and government support programs.
• ACI — Association des Conseils en InnovationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional association of innovation consulting firms. Auvalie Innovation co-founders hold leadership positions (Frédéric Grévaud as President since 2022, prior Vice-Presidency), giving influence over French innovation policy and early access to regulatory developments.
• ISQ-OPQCMsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProfessional certification body. Auvalie Innovation holds ISQ-OPQCM certification, attesting to quality standards and methodological rigor in consulting practice.
• Regions de FrancesupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional development partners across French territories. Listed as partner ecosystem facilitating regional connections and co-funding opportunities for clients (e.g., Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes regional fund for BP Sprint training).
• Invest in LyonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLyon-area regional development agency promoting investment in the Lyon region. Listed as partner supporting connections within the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes innovation ecosystem.
• Le PooolminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional innovation ecosystem actor, listed as partner in the Auvalie Innovation ecosystem for facilitating startup connections and regional financing opportunities.
• TarmacminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAerospace campus/incubator in the Toulouse region. Listed as partner in Auvalie Innovation's ecosystem for startup and innovation financing connections.
• IRIIGsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-training partner for the BP Sprint business plan formation program. IRIIG brings pedagogical and scientific expertise to the 6-day collaborative training format alongside Auvalie Innovation's financial and strategic expertise.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Fidal: Leading French business law firm with a dedicated innovation financing practice covering CIR, CII, JEI and public grants. Competitor in fiscal-engineering mandates for mid-market French companies, though legal-led rather than audit/consulting-led.
• Deloitte France: Big 4 firm with a dedicated R&D and innovation incentives practice (including CIR, CII, JEI) and significant French mid-market and large-cap presence. Competes for the same enterprise end of the innovation-finance market as Auvalie but as part of a much broader consulting portfolio.
• KPMG France: Big 4 firm with an established R&D tax credit and innovation incentives practice serving French corporates, mid-market companies and startups. Overlaps with Auvalie's CIR/CII/JEI advisory but as part of a broader audit, tax and advisory portfolio, with deeper enterprise access.
• PwC France: Big 4 firm where Auvalie's co-founders Grévaud and Cléau previously worked; offers a comparable R&D tax credit and innovation financing practice in France. Represents both a competitor for large mandates and a potential acquirer or recruiter of Auvalie's talent.

Others

• Bpifrance: France's public investment bank and key referral/ecosystem partner. Auvalie is a Bpifrance-recognized expert on CIR mobilization and European project development. Not a competitor but a critical distribution and credibility channel for Auvalie's client pipeline.

Direct peers

• Akoya Conseil: France-based specialist consulting firm advising on CIR, CII, JEI and other French R&D fiscal incentives. Closely comparable boutique positioning, similar client profile of innovative startups, SMEs and ETIs, and similar revenue model based on fiscal advisory engagements.
• Leyton: Global specialist consulting firm focused on innovation financing, R&D tax credits (including CIR/CII in France), grants, and subsidies. Closest direct competitor to Auvalie with similar service portfolio, similar SME/startup target market, and overlapping government-relationship positioning.
• Ayming: International consulting firm specializing in innovation financing, R&D tax credits (including France), grants, and operational performance. Operates a similar French CIR/CII practice alongside broader consulting, with a more developed international footprint than Auvalie.

Emerging players

• BDO France: French member of global accounting network BDO, with R&D tax credit and innovation financing services for SMEs and mid-market firms. Comparable in client segment but less specialized and less nationally distributed than Auvalie in the French innovation niche.
• Baker Tilly: Global accounting network with an Innovation Incentives / R&D tax credit practice active in France. Competes in the same SME/ETI segment but with broader generalist positioning and less of a French-ecosystem-embedded profile than Auvalie.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/auvalieinnovation
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@auvalieinnovation
• Xx.com/auvalie
• Facebookfacebook.com/Auvalieinnovation

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Auvalie Innovation