What Fondation Entreprendre does

Fondation Entreprendre is a French private foundation recognized as being of public utility ("Reconnue d'utilité publique"), founded in 2008 and headquartered at La Filature, a 480m² collaborative workspace in Paris's 10th arrondissement. It operates as a philanthropic intermediary whose mission is to position entrepreneurship as a lever for societal transformation across France, federating an ecosystem of associative actors on the ground with a community of corporate and individual philanthropists. Its beneficiaries are not commercial customers but rather associations and entrepreneurial support organizations working with target populations including youth, women, people with disabilities, rural populations, and people in professional transition.

The foundation's core programs are structured around five pillars: Le Lab (research and innovation seeding), La Réponse Collective (multi-stakeholder innovation initiatives), L'Atelier (long-term structural support for associations, recently rebranded from L'Accélérateur), La Filature (a physical coworking facility hosting 8 resident associations), and L'Observatoire de l'utilit\u00e9 d'entreprendre (a research observatory partnering with OpinionWay for a biennial barometer and producing field studies on micro-entrepreneurship, repreneuriat, and a "Entrepreneuriat Souhaitable 2040" prospective vision). Underlying capabilities are non-technological and revolve around programmatic accompaniment, research publication, ecosystem convening, and grant-making rather than software or platform infrastructure.

The foundation is funded entirely through donations and corporate philanthropy (mécénat). Individual donors receive a 66% income tax deduction or 75% IFI wealth tax deduction (up to €50,000); corporate donors receive a 60% tax deduction (capped at €20,000 or 0.5% of turnover). Resources totaled €6.7M in 2025, deployed across direct grants to ~37 associations, 5 sheltered foundations operating under the foundation's legal umbrella, programmatic operations, and the Observatoire. Distribution occurs through direct grant programs, sheltered foundations, the La Filature workspace, and partnership channels with corporate and institutional donors. Leadership transitioned in December 2025 when Alexis Grolin succeeded long-serving President Blandine Mulliez; Thibault de Saint Simon has served as Director General since April 2020.

Name

Fondation Entreprendre

Legal name

Fondation Entreprendre

Website

https://fondation-entreprendre.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Fondation Entreprendre is a French foundation of public utility that promotes entrepreneurship as a lever for societal transformation, supporting associations, sheltered foundations, and collaborative programs (Le Lab, La Réponse Collective, L'Atelier, La Filature, Observatoire) across France.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Philanthropy & Entrepreneurship Support

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Private Foundations (BPAGAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB), Social Entrepreneurship & Impact Business (EDAMAHAK), Philanthropy & Foundations Advisory (Donor-Advised Funds, Endowments) (FSAAABAH)

Keywords

• Philanthropic foundation services
• Entrepreneurship ecosystem support
• Grant-making programs
• Corporate mécénat partnerships
• Associative sector support

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute to the foundation, receiving 66% tax deduction on income tax (within 20% of net taxable income) or 75% deduction on wealth tax (IFI) within 50,000 euros limit. Donations from individuals support the foundation's mission to promote entrepreneurship across France.
2. Corporate Mécénat (Corporate Philanthropy): Corporate partners make donations to the foundation, receiving a 60% corporate tax deduction on the donation amount, capped at 20,000 euros or 0.5% of turnover. Companies can also create sheltered foundations (fondations abritées) under the foundation's umbrella.
3. Foundation Resources: The foundation generates 6.7M€ in resources in 2025 from its ecosystem of donors, partners, and sheltered foundations. These resources are deployed to support entrepreneurial initiatives across France.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Fondation Entreprendre is a French public-utility foundation that funds and supports the entrepreneurship ecosystem through structured programs (Le Lab, La Réponse Collective, L'Atelier), direct grants to associations, sheltered foundations hosted under its legal umbrella, a collaborative workspace (La Filature), and an observatory producing research on the utility of entrepreneurship. It mobilizes individual donations and corporate mécénat (with French tax deductions) to deploy €6.7M in annual resources to 37 supported associations and 5 sheltered foundations, with the mission of making entrepreneurship a lever for societal transformation accessible to all.

Product overview

Fondation Entreprendre operates as a philanthropy foundation focused on making entrepreneurship a lever for societal transformation in France. Rather than a unified tech platform, its portfolio consists of distinct programs: Le Lab (research and innovation financing), La Réponse Collective (collective innovation initiatives), L'Atelier (association support and transformation), La Filature (coworking facility), and the Observatoire (research observatory with barometer and field studies). These programs work together to support entrepreneurs, associations, and territorial development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Le Lab: Research and prospective program to illuminate entrepreneurial challenges and make innovative practices accessible
• La Réponse Collective
• L'Atelier
• La Filature
• L'Observatoire de l'utilité d'entreprendre
• La Mission Sociale
• Tous Entrepreneurs

Products and services

• Le Lab A research and innovation-financing program that decodes entrepreneurial challenges and makes innovative practices accessible to the ecosystem. It finances the seeding of innovative projects with impact on the entrepreneurial support ecosystem, produces studies to inform entrepreneurship actors, participates in collaborative working groups, and fosters the emergence of concrete solutions to societal challenges.
• La Réponse Collective A collective innovation program that initiates and animates innovation collectives to develop entrepreneurial solutions to societal challenges, bringing together associations and partners to co-create responses to shared issues.
• L'Atelier (formerly L'Accélérateur) A program that supports associations in strategic transformation and organizational robustness. It selects structures based on structural maturity, their structuring role in the ecosystem, and their pivotal moments requiring strategic transformation, offering long-term accompaniment (3-year average) rather than rapid growth acceleration.
• La Filature A 480 m² collaborative space in Paris (10th arrondissement) serving as the foundation's headquarters. It offers permanent offices, nomadic desks, private spaces, and meeting rooms for rent to structures of general interest engaged in entrepreneurship development, fostering synergies between resident associations.
• Sheltered Foundations (Fondations Abritées) A service that allows corporate and family donors to create their own philanthropic entity under the foundation's recognised public-utility legal umbrella, benefiting from its governance framework, tax-recognised status, and ecosystem while pursuing specific missions.
• Observatoire de l'utilité d'entreprendre An observatory created to demonstrate that entrepreneurship can be a powerful lever for general interest and societal transformation. It produces a public barometer updated every two years with OpinionWay, field surveys, workshops, and studies among entrepreneurial support associations, entrepreneurs, experts, institutions, and patrons.
• Baromètre de l'entrepreneuriat An OpinionWay survey-based barometer exploring perceptions of entrepreneurship among 527 entrepreneurs, 1,014 French adults, and 95 specialised associations, examining expectations, motivations, barriers, and perceptions of entrepreneurship.
• Enquête terrain A qualitative field survey conducted with 18 representative associations of entrepreneurial support diversity, plus collective reflection workshops with 25 associations to identify barriers and levers for entrepreneurial utility.

Quantifiable outcome

• 695 young people supported with 58% positive outcomes (14% created businesses, 20% found employment, 24% continued full-time training)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Fondation CeetruscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFondation Ceetrus, created over 15 years ago, supports entrepreneurial initiatives with regenerative focus. Present in metropolitan France, it acts primarily on territories where Ceetrus operates to support projects strengthening living systems, social bonds, and territorial resilience. Currently partnering on the 'Entreprendre l'adaptation au changement climatique' call for contributions.
• Banque TransatlantiqueminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWealth management house founded in 1881, subsidiary of Crédit Mutuel Alliance Fédérale. Offers dedicated philanthropy advisory, allowing clients to implement ambitious philanthropy strategies.
• ADEOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench holding grouping companies specialized in home improvement (Leroy Merlin, Weldom, Bricocenter, KBane). Supports initiatives encouraging entrepreneurial spirit, creativity, and positive societal impact based on values of respect, autonomy, innovation, and value sharing.
• Moneta Asset ManagementminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndependent portfolio management company founded in 2003, based in Paris with over 3 billion euros in assets. Distinguishes itself through rigorous, independent selection of responsible, sustainable investments.
• Adagia PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLBO fund dedicated to mid-sized companies in health, business services, and technology industries. Commits annually a portion of results to educational and equal opportunities initiatives.
• Fondation M6coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe M6 Group Foundation has been committed since 2010 to actors of professional reintegration of former inmates. Develops innovative projects defending alternatives to detention through progressive return to society and work. Partner in 'Entreprendre sa Liberté' program.
• Le Chant des ÉtoilesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFamily endowment fund with mission of accompanying people in vulnerable situations. Supports associations working for humanization of end-of-life or accompanying detained/formerly detained persons. Partners on developing entrepreneurial spirit in prison.
• Cegid SolidaireminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCegid Endowment Fund accompanying digital innovation since 2014 for useful, well-mastered innovation as a lever for fulfillment and social insertion. Partners to promote entrepreneurial spirit and digital skills transmission.
• BCR FinancesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWealth management firm convinced that alliance of philanthropy and finance is an effective lever for companies to engage for societal well-being. Joins to champion impactful entrepreneurship.
• Société Générale FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSociété Générale Corporate Foundation acting primarily for young people in economic and/or socio-cultural vulnerability to build better, sustainable futures through solidarity and music.
• Fonds Gérard et Bernadette MulliezcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupports responsible entrepreneurship and access to training for all through associations, business creators, and projects with strong societal utility. Also aims to preserve heritage and environment.
• Fondation Groupe PrimonialminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPromotes equal opportunities by supporting actions in education, mental health, and socio-professional integration. Feds group employees around solidarity commitment.
• Neuflize OBCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrivate bank reuniting all expertise for wealth valorization, both private and professional. Recognized as pioneer in Socially Responsible Investment.
• bioMérieuxcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal diagnostic company contributing to entrepreneurial spirit. Believes in human values and general interest, participates in development of innovative businesses and job creation.
• Family & CocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting family shareholders and entrepreneurs for over 15 years, working for a society driven by entrepreneurial spirit, valuing meaning in action and long-term vision.
• United.b (Groupe Boulanger)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommits to developing new meaningful projects with the foundation. Engages employees to develop entrepreneurial spirit to address new economic, social, and environmental challenges.
• Banque Populaire Rives de ParisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerActs with students in schools on its territory by supporting pedagogical projects for entrepreneurship awareness.
• AXA Funds for Human ProgresscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAXA endowment fund gathering main Group philanthropy actions in France and 50 countries internationally. Aims to amplify support for impactful projects in health, planet protection, inclusion, education, arts, culture, and heritage.
• Fondation AnBerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation sensitive to entrepreneur success, faithful supporter of Fondation Entreprendre.
• Association Familiale Mulliez (AFM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Mulliez Family Association, committed to the foundation since its creation, supports all foundation actions to reinforce its impact and development over time.
• BpifrancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupports and finances businesses to see bigger and further. Offers financing solutions at every development stage: credit, guarantees, and equity.
• CarenewsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedia for engagement actors, daily presenting news on philanthropy, societal commitment (CSR, SRI), and Social Economy. Mission to accelerate societal engagement development.
• La FondaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation accompanying associative life for over 40 years. Recognized public utility believing no democratic vitality without associative vitality.
• Atigip (Ministry of Justice)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgency of the Ministry of Justice developing professional integration for people under judicial supervision. Partners to develop entrepreneurial skills for people in prison or under judicial measures.
• OpinionWayminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench polling institute partnered with foundation for its Observatory barometer, conducting surveys of entrepreneurs, French citizens, and associations on entrepreneurship perceptions.
• AvisecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgency for economic, social, and environmental innovation. Co-published studies on cultural entrepreneurship with the foundation, supporting 181 projects in 4 French regions.
• Mirova FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation celebrating 5 years of partnership in 2026, sharing common goal of making philanthropy a lever for societal transformation serving territories.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• France Active: National network financing and supporting social and solidarity economy entrepreneurs in France. Highly comparable target beneficiaries and mission (entrepreneurship as societal lever), with both grant and loan instruments.
• Avise: Agency for economic, social and environmental innovation supporting social entrepreneurship — already a documented partner of Fondation Entreprendre (181 cultural entrepreneurship projects in 4 regions). Comparable mission around social-utility entrepreneurship.
• Fondation de France: France's largest umbrella philanthropic foundation, also hosting sheltered foundations and pooling mécénat across causes. Directly comparable operating model (fonds de dotation, sheltered sub-foundations, public utility status) to Fondation Entreprendre, with broader cause scope.
• Réseau Entreprendre: Network of entrepreneur-support associations across France providing mentoring and financing to business creators — historically a direct partner of Fondation Entreprendre (e.g., Programme Croissance with AXA). Same entrepreneurial-support mission but operational model differs (volunteer mentors vs. grantmaking).
• Fondation Caritas France: French recognized public-utility foundation focused on solidarity, social integration and poverty alleviation. Comparable legal structure, mécénat-based revenue model, and beneficiary support programs.
• Fondation Apprentis d'Auteuil: Recognized public-utility foundation supporting vulnerable youth through education, training and family support. Comparable 'reconnue d'utilité publique' status, donor-driven funding model, and youth-focused entrepreneurship pathways.

Broad incumbents

• Fondation BNP Paribas: Corporate foundation of a major French bank supporting solidarity, education and environment initiatives. Comparable corporate mécénat model, broader cause scope and substantially larger budget.
• Mirova Foundation: Foundation backed by Mirova (Natixis affiliate) supporting impact investing and social enterprises. Documented partner of Fondation Entreprendre with similar mission of using philanthropy for societal transformation.

Emerging players

• La Fonda: French association supporting associative life for 40+ years — documented partner of Fondation Entreprendre. Overlapping mission of strengthening the nonprofit ecosystem and capacity-building for associations.
• Fondation Terre & Fils (ex-Fondation de la Terre): Family-style French philanthropy foundation supporting social and environmental entrepreneurship. Smaller-scale counterpart with comparable focus on entrepreneurship as a transformation lever.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCiZS0ZU9hhiMGyxgdw0bfTQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/1441405586109418
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fondation-entreprendre
• Instagraminstagram.com/fondation_entreprendre
• Xx.com/fentreprendre

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries8 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 Fondation Entreprendre