What Elles bougent does

Elles bougent is a French non-profit association (Loi 1901) founded in November 2005 and headquartered in Nanterre (1973 boulevard de la Défense), dedicated to promoting gender diversity in scientific, technical, and industrial sectors. The association addresses the underrepresentation of women in engineering (24% of engineers in France are women) by mobilizing a network of 14,470 volunteer female engineers and technicians (marraines) who serve as role models for young girls in middle and high schools. Its operations are coordinated through 21 regional delegations in France and internationally (including Belgium and Morocco), with reach into 2,606 secondary schools and 378 corporate and institutional partners spanning aerospace, rail, energy, automotive, defense, maritime, and technology industries. The association is led by President Valérie Brusseau (R&D Director at Valeo, appointed June 2023), Director General Isabelle Huet (appointed March 2025), and Honorary President David Meneses (appointed June 2026).

The association operates a digital platform anchored by the Annuaire des marraines et relais (directory connecting students with volunteer mentors) and a private Espace membre (member portal) that supports volunteer recruitment, event registration, and partnership management. Its product portfolio includes the Club Collèges et Lycées (school network of 2,000+ secondary schools), Elles bougent pour l'Orientation (annual orientation week), Challenge InnovaTech (100% female innovation competition), Forum Réseaux et Carrières au Féminin (annual career forum connecting nearly 100 companies with 2,000+ job openings), Girls on the Move Week (international awareness event reaching 32+ countries), Les Elles de l'Océan (maritime-sector operation with Cluster Maritime Français, launched June 2020), Trophées de l'Égalité (annual awards ceremony), and the #8marstouslesjours year-long initiative. The association also maintains GDPR/RGPD compliance and a registered INPI trademark (since January 2007) covering the "Elles bougent" brand.

Elles bougent generates revenue through four primary streams: recurring corporate partnership fees from 378 partner companies and institutions (Airbus, Safran, Thales, EDF, TotalEnergies, SNCF, Valeo, Microsoft France, and others); the French taxe d'apprentissage for which it is officially habilitée; €30/year membership fees from independent marraines (corporate partner employees are covered by their employers); and public donations. The association operates with a lean team of 1-10 employees, relying heavily on volunteer engagement, in-kind corporate support, and regional delegations to deliver programming at scale. Funding is not externally raised; the association is independent of any parent company or investment backing.

Name

Elles bougent

Legal name

Elles bougent

Website

https://ellesbougent.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Elles bougent is a French non-profit association founded in 2005 that promotes gender diversity in scientific and technical careers by connecting young girls with 14,470 volunteer female engineer mentors across 378 corporate partners and 2,606 schools in France and internationally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Non-profit STEM gender diversity advocacy services

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Workforce Readiness, Career Pathways & Youth Employment Nonprofits (BPAGADAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

STEM, Digital Literacy & Maker Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAG)

Keywords

• Women in STEM advocacy
• Gender diversity programs
• STEM career mentoring
• Nonprofit association services
• Youth career orientation

Headquarters

HQ city

Rueil-malmaison

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Corporate Partnerships: Companies pay membership fees to participate as partners, providing access to the network of 14,470 volunteer marraines and connection to educational institutions.
2. Training Tax (Taxe d'apprentissage): The association is habilitated to receive the apprenticeship tax, a mandatory French corporate contribution used to fund professional training.
3. Marraine Membership Fees: Independent marraines pay an annual fee of €30. Corporate partner employees have their fees covered by their employer.
4. Donations: Public donations accepted to support the association's mission and actions promoting gender mixity in scientific and technical careers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Elles bougent is a French non-profit association (Loi 1901) that promotes scientific, technical, and industrial careers to young girls through a network of 14,470 volunteer female engineers and technicians (marraines) who serve as role models. The association delivers school interventions, career forums, competitions, orientation events, and a member portal connecting volunteers with students and 378 corporate and institutional partners. Activities are funded through corporate partnerships, donations, apprenticeship tax contributions, and marraine memberships.

Product overview

Elles bougent is a non-profit association (Loi 1901) operating a digital platform centered on its member portal and the Annuaire des marraines et relais — a directory connecting young girls with volunteer female engineers and technicians. The association runs a portfolio of branded programs including the Club Collèges et Lycées (a network of 2,000+ secondary schools), Elles bougent pour l'Orientation (annual orientation week), Challenge InnovaTech (100% female innovation competition), Forum Réseaux et Carrières au Féminin (career networking forum), and Girls on the Move Week (international awareness week). The platform is supported by a private member space and is funded through corporate partnerships, apprenticeship taxes, and donations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Annuaire des marraines et relais A directory platform connecting young girls with volunteer female engineers and technicians (marraines) and professional relays, enabling direct exchanges, discovery of inspiring career paths, and exploration of scientific, technical, and industrial professions.
• Club Collèges et Lycées A network of over 2,606 committed secondary schools providing educational actions — talks with female engineers, classroom interventions, visits, workshops, and forums — to help young girls discover scientific and technical careers.
• Elles bougent pour l'Orientation An annual orientation event promoting engineering and technical trades to young girls across metropolitan France, overseas territories, and internationally through interventions in secondary schools.
• Challenge InnovaTech An intergenerational 100% female competition dedicated to entrepreneurship and the Industry of the Future, challenging teams of girls to develop innovative projects across French regions and beyond.
• Forum Réseaux et Carrières au Féminin An annual career networking forum exclusively for women, connecting female students and graduates with nearly 100 companies offering over 2,000 job openings in scientific and technical sectors.
• Girls on the Move Week An international federating event bringing together the global industry ecosystem for a week of awareness-raising, with activities across 32+ countries reaching thousands of girls.
• Les Elles de l'Océan A digital operation launched in partnership with the Cluster Maritime Français to raise awareness of maritime careers among young women.
• Trophées de l'Égalité An annual awards ceremony recognizing companies and institutions for their commitment to gender equality and the promotion of women in technical and scientific fields.
• #8marstouslesjours A year-long initiative launched on International Women's Day, providing daily content and actions to promote women in science and technology beyond a single day of commemoration.
• Sensibilisation (Awareness Programs) Awareness programs targeting young girls, educators, and families to deconstruct gender stereotypes about scientific and technical careers through events, school interventions, and role-model storytelling.
• 1er Rallye de l'Écomobilité Paris-Lyon-Marseille A 900 km intermodal rally challenge (Paris-Lyon-Marseille) with exclusively female teams promoting sustainable transportation and raising awareness about engineering careers for women.

Quantifiable outcome

• Study on social impact demonstrates measurable influence on girls' scientific career aspirations

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

54 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• WiN FrancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership renewal announced July 2026 between Elles bougent and WiN France (Women in Nuclear). Collaboration to promote gender diversity in nuclear and scientific sectors through joint events and initiatives.
• Ministère des Solidarités, de l'Autonomie et de l'Égalité entre les femmes et les hommescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench government ministry partner supporting gender equality initiatives. Listed as institutional partner on the website.
• CAF (Caisse d'Allocations Familiales)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench family allowance fund partner supporting family-oriented initiatives and social programs.
• SNCFcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench national railway company partner providing volunteer engineers and participating in career forums and events to promote technical careers in rail sector.
• ValeocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAutomotive technology company partner. CEO Valérie Brusseau serves as President of Elles bougent association, demonstrating deep executive-level commitment.
• Microsoft FrancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology company partner providing volunteer engineers and supporting digital initiatives and events.
• AirbuscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAerospace company partner providing volunteer engineers for aviation sector career promotion and participating in major events like the Paris Air Show.
• ThalescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDefense and technology company partner providing volunteer engineers for events and supporting diversity initiatives.
• SafrancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAerospace and defense company partner providing volunteer engineers and participating in career forums and Challenge InnovaTech events.
• EDFcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench electricity company partner providing volunteer engineers for energy sector career promotion.
• ENGIEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnergy company partner providing volunteer engineers for energy sector initiatives and events.
• CMA CGMcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerShipping and logistics company partner providing volunteer professionals for maritime sector career promotion.
• Groupe ADPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParis airports operator partner supporting aviation sector career events.
• Naval GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNaval defense company partner providing volunteer engineers and supporting maritime career events.
• FramatomecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNuclear energy company partner providing volunteer professionals for nuclear sector career promotion.
• AlstomcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRailway equipment company partner supporting railway sector career events and providing volunteer engineers.
• Renault GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAutomotive company partner providing volunteer engineers for automotive sector career promotion.
• Schneider ElectriccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnergy management company partner providing volunteer engineers for energy sector initiatives.
• TotalEnergiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnergy company partner providing volunteer professionals for energy sector career events.
• VINCIcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConstruction and concessions company partner supporting construction and infrastructure sector career events.
• Dassault AviationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAeronautics company partner providing volunteer engineers and hosting events.
• GE VernovacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnergy company partner providing volunteer engineers for energy sector career promotion.
• Cluster Maritime FrançaiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench maritime cluster partner with which Elles bougent launched 'Les Elles de l'Océan' operation in June 2020.
• GIFAScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench aerospace industries association partner providing access to member companies and aviation sector events.
• Ministère de l'Éducation nationalecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench Ministry of National Education, which has granted official recognition to Elles bougent and supports school participation.
• EnediscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerElectricity distribution network operator partner providing volunteer engineers for energy sector initiatives.
• OranocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNuclear energy company partner providing volunteer professionals for nuclear sector career promotion.
• LacroixcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology company partner providing volunteer engineers for technical sector events.
• Aubert & DuvalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAerospace and energy materials company partner providing volunteer engineers.
• Port de Nantes Saint-NazairecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPort authority partner supporting maritime sector career events and site visits.
• Marine nationalecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench Navy partner providing volunteer officers and supporting defense sector career promotion since 2017.
• SiemenscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology company partner providing volunteer engineers and supporting technology sector events.
• AkuocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRenewable energy company partner providing volunteer engineers for energy sector career promotion.
• CargillcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgri-food company partner providing volunteer engineers for food industry sector career events.
• SBM OffshorecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOffshore energy company partner providing volunteer professionals for offshore sector career promotion.
• AdisseocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnimal nutrition company partner providing volunteer engineers for agri-food sector events.
• VibracousticcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVibration control technology company partner providing volunteer engineers for automotive sector events.
• Corning PouyetcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaterials science company partner providing volunteer engineers for technical sector events.
• NaTrancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRailway transportation company partner supporting rail sector career promotion.
• AxenscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRefining and petrochemical technology company partner providing volunteer engineers.
• IFP Energies nouvellescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic research organization partner providing volunteer researchers and supporting energy sector events.
• InetumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDigital services company partner providing volunteer engineers for technology sector events.
• ORTECcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering and services company partner providing volunteer engineers for technical sector events.
• UbicitécoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology company partner providing volunteer engineers for digital sector events.
• MetsyscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDigital services company partner providing volunteer engineers for technology sector events.
• PCMcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering company partner providing volunteer engineers for technical sector events.
• ECEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering school partner with students participating as ambassadrices in outreach activities.
• Toulouse INPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering institute partner with students participating as ambassadrices in outreach activities.
• ENSIATEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering school partner with students participating as ambassadrices in outreach activities.
• Builders École d'ingénieurscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering school partner with students participating as ambassadrices in outreach activities.
• Arts et Métiers ParisTechcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering school partner with students participating as ambassadrices in outreach activities.
• IUT de Ville d'Avray St-CloudcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity technology institute partner with students participating as ambassadrices in outreach activities.
• Département de Seine et MarnecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional government department partner supporting local initiatives and career events.
• UBISOFTcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVideo game company partner providing volunteer engineers for technology sector events.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Femmes & Sciences: French nonprofit association promoting women in scientific and technical careers in France. Closest direct domestic peer to Elles bougent, with overlapping mission, school and corporate outreach, and similar nonprofit/Loi 1901 funding model.
• Million Women Mentors: US initiative mobilizing mentors (corporate and academic) to support girls and women in STEM. Closely comparable as a large-scale volunteer/marraine-style mentoring model sponsored by major corporates and aimed at the school-to-career transition.
• Women in Engineering Society (WES): UK-based charity advancing women in engineering and applied sciences. Directly comparable as a European nonprofit with member networks, corporate partners, school outreach, and awards programs aimed at increasing female participation in engineering.
• STEMettes: UK nonprofit inspiring and supporting girls and young women into STEM careers via events, mentoring and content. Comparable in target audience (girls in STEM), event-driven model, corporate sponsorship, and emphasis on female role models.
• WEPAN (Women in Engineering Proactive Network): US-based nonprofit focused on increasing the representation of women in engineering through K–12 to workforce programs. Directly comparable in the school-to-career pipeline mission and corporate/university partnership model.
• Association Française des Femmes Ingénieurs (AFFI): French association of female engineers with mission to promote engineering careers to young women. Direct French peer with overlapping membership, mentoring and corporate partner base in the same gender-in-engineering niche.
• WiN France (Women in Nuclear France): French affiliate of Women in Nuclear promoting gender diversity in the nuclear and broader STEM sectors. Directly comparable in mission, target audience (girls and women in science), event-driven model, and French institutional ecosystem — also an Elles bougent partner.
• Society of Women Engineers (SWE): US-based nonprofit empowering women in engineering and technology through outreach, mentoring and programs. Highly comparable in mission (girls/women in engineering), member/volunteer model, and corporate partnership approach, though operating at much larger US scale.

Emerging players

• Girls Who Code: US nonprofit working to close the gender gap in technology through club programs and summer immersion. Comparable target audience (girls in tech) but narrower focus on coding/software versus Elles bougent's broader engineering and industrial STEM mandate.

Regional players

• Talents du Numérique: French nonprofit promoting digital and tech careers, with a focus on gender diversity. Adjacent in mission (youth career orientation toward technical fields in France) but narrower in scope to digital/IT versus Elles bougent's broader industrial STEM remit.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ellesbougent
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ellesbougent
• Facebookfacebook.com/about
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/elles-bougent
• Instagraminstagram.com/ellesbougent
• TikToktiktok.com/@ellesbougent

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Elles bougent