WAVE

Name

WAVE

Legal name

WAVE Les Elles de l'Auto

Website

https://waveautos.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Bois-colombes

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. Membership fees and corporate partnerships: WAVE generates revenue through membership fees from individuals and corporate partnerships/sponsorships from automotive companies that support the association's mission to promote gender diversity. Companies like Renault, Toyota, Volkswagen Group France, and others are explicitly listed as partners who support the association.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

WAVE Les Elles de l'Auto is a French non-profit association that builds and sustains a professional community promoting gender diversity in the automotive and mobility sector. Its offerings include individual and corporate membership, annual encounters (Rencontres Annuelles), employment meetings (Rencontres Emploi) connecting job seekers with automotive employers, a mentoring program pairing young professionals with senior executives, recognition awards (Femme de l'Année, Trophées de la Mixité), the WISE program for women over 45, the DIAMOND European project, four regional antennas across France, and the book and photo exhibition "Mesdames, osez l'auto!".

Product overview

WAVE Les Elles de l'Auto is a non-profit association (recognized as being of public interest) promoting gender diversity in the automotive and mobility sector. The organization offers a membership program, annual conferences (Rencontres Annuelles), employment networking events (Rencontres Emploi), mentoring programs (Mentoring Génération Y et Z), and recognition awards including the Trophée de la Femme de l'Année and Trophées de la Mixité. Additional programs include the WISE program for women over 45 seeking employment, the DIAMOND European project, and regional antennas in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Hauts-de-France, and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. The association also publishes the book 'Mesdames, osez l'auto!' and organizes a photo exhibition showcasing women in automotive professions. Key services include an employment portal (Espace Emploi au Féminin) and a career discovery platform (Osez l'Auto).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• WISE (Women in Senior Employment): Program helping women over 45 find employment in the auto and mobility sector
• DIAMOND
• Trophées de la Mixité
• Femme de l'Année
• Autour d'Elles

Products and services

• Membership Program Annual individual and corporate membership of the association, granting access to networking events, mentoring programs, employment meetings, and member portal resources for automotive and mobility professionals in France.
• Rencontres Annuelles (Annual Meetings) Annual conference bringing together automotive professionals to discuss gender diversity topics, featuring expert speakers and the Femme de l'Année award ceremony.
• Rencontres Emploi (Employment Meetings)

Quantifiable outcome

• 200 candidates (60% women) connected with automotive employers at each Employment Encounter event
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

32 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Renault GroupflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerRenault Group is a major partner of WAVE, convinced that gender stereotypes are barriers to performance. The group employs 129,000 people worldwide and sells vehicles under Renault, Dacia, and Samsung brands in 118 countries. Renault organizes encounters to sensitize young women to industry careers.
• Toyota FrancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerToyota France uses WAVE as a vector for the Toyota Way. Toyota considers inclusion and diversity as fundamental for its organization with over 10,000 employees in France including 5,500 through its network of over 300 distribution and repair sites.
• Volkswagen Group FrancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolkswagen Group France is committed to diversity and gender equality, transforming to become the leader in sustainable mobility with over 30 new electric models planned by 2025.
• ValeocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerValeo participates in WAVE Employment Encounters, committed to gender diversity with 33% women in workforce and over 25% women in executive committees. Founded in 1923 in Saint-Ouen, France, with over 10,000 employees in France.
• DS AutomobilescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDS Automobiles, premium brand created in Paris in 2014, is committed to diversity in the automotive sector. Present in 40 countries with nearly 450 DS STORES worldwide.
• BNP Paribas Personal FinancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor European financing player, financing over 4 million vehicles globally through joint ventures with Stellantis, Geely Group, Jaguar Land Rover and commercial cooperations with Hyundai, Kia, and Volvo. Certified Top Employer Europe 2024.
• DEKRAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld number 1 in vehicle inspections with 26 million inspections in 30 countries and 1,700 establishments in France. Pursuing feminization of teams through WAVE Employment Encounters.
• Emil Frey FrancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVehicle distribution leader in France with over 10,000 employees. Part of the Emil Frey Suisse group, European leader and centenary in 2024. Proposes over 300 opportunities at WAVE Employment Encounters.
• AUTO1 GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-brand company revolutionizing vehicle purchase, sale and financing in continental Europe with platforms like vendezvotrevoiture.fr, AUTO1.com, and Autohero. Creating 300 jobs in France in 2025, open to women through WAVE.
• CitroëncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded in 1919, Citroën creates automobiles and mobility solutions present in 101 countries with a network of 6,200 sales and service points worldwide.
• EQUIP'AUTOflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerEQUIP'AUTO SAS, known for its events developed in France and internationally, signed a partnership with WAVE. Aurélie Jouve, director of EQUIP'AUTO, elected Woman of the Year 2023 by the association.
• ANFA (Association Nationale pour la Formation Automobile)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerANFA is responsible for implementing professional training policies for the automotive services sector. Published study on women's place in automotive services addressing gender stereotypes.
• Mobipolis (formerly GNFA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining organization with over 50 years of expertise, leader in the market with 14 training centers, 50,000 professionals and 2,000 teachers/trainers trained each year, over 1,300 young people in apprenticeships.
• INDRA Automobile RecyclingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor French automotive recycling industrial player developing a model based on process mastery, service quality, and circularity with national network of VHU partner centers.
• Jean Lain MobilitéscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTop 15 French distributors elected distributor of the year 2022, distributing 15 brands with over 2,200 employees across 9 departments. Partner since October 2023 committed to diversity and inclusion.
• MobilianscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOnly professional organization representing 21 professions in distribution and automotive services in France. Managing the National Collective Agreement with 115,000 SMEs and 400,000 employees.
• Mobilité MutuelleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMutual insurance company for the automotive and mobility sector, part of Malakoff Médéric Humanis, the leader in social protection.
• OPmobility (formerly Plastic Omnium)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal leader in sustainable mobility with 30,000 employees in 137 factories and 31 R&D centers in 25 countries. Pioneering innovation since 1946 with five complementary business groups.
• AVLminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal independent leader in powertrain development, simulation and testing technologies with over 10,000 employees, 45 subsidiaries worldwide, and 1,500 patents. Specializing in hybrid and electric powertrains.
• CarvivominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSoftware publisher for lead processing for automotive distribution actors, new partner giving meaning to collaborators' work through WAVE partnership.
• DistinxionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUsed vehicle labels (Distinxion and ZERO KM) with low mileage vehicles, supporting WAVE initiatives that demonstrate women's interest in the automotive world.
• Parts Holding Europe (PHE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeader in independent parts distribution for light and heavy vehicles in Western Europe, present in France, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Italy, and Spain. On the Capital Best Employers ranking.
• Neubauer GroupeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFamily-owned automotive company also active in real estate for over 120 years, specializing in purchase, sale, rental and repair of new and used vehicles.
• PFA (La Plateforme Automobile)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrings together the entire French automotive industry, defining and implementing innovation, competitiveness, employment and skills strategy. Master builder of the Paris Motor Show.
• EuromasterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMichelin subsidiary with over 2,300 light and heavy vehicle service centers across 17 countries with nearly 10,000 employees. Labeled Responsible Brand committed to inclusion and gender parity.
• Roland BergercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsulting firm that partnered with WAVE to conduct studies on gender diversity in the automotive sector, including the 2024 and 2025 studies.
• Ethics & BoardscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst International Observatory of Corporate Governance of listed companies. Publishes annual WAVE/Ethics & Boards barometer on feminization of governing bodies since 2020.
• DeloittecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublished 'Women at the Wheel' 2025 study showing women remain underrepresented in leadership positions despite progress in diversity awareness.
• Autoactu.comminorGTM or Marketing PartnerReference website for automotive sector information for professionals. Realized by specialized independent journalists. Also distributes WAVE's book 'Mesdames, osez l'auto!'
• Le Journal de l'AutomobileminorGTM or Marketing PartnerReference monthly for all automotive professionals since 1979. First support for executive leaders and decision-makers in the automotive sector.
• Mondial de l'AutoflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerParis Motor Show organized by GL events, major international automotive event where WAVE conducts studies and engagement activities.
• Natur'Elles AventuresminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFirst organization in the world to propose electrofeminin rallies. Inclusive rally concept for women combining electric vehicle navigation and nature sports activities.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• ANFA (Association Nationale pour la Formation Automobile): French national association responsible for automotive-services professional training policy. WAVE has published an ANFA-co-produced study on women's place in automotive services, making it a thematic partner and the closest French equivalent in workforce/pipeline topics.
• CCFA (Comité des Constructeurs Français d'Automobiles): Trade body representing French automobile manufacturers (Renault, Stellantis, etc.). Comparable as a French automotive industry association, but manufacturer-orientated and only thematically adjacent to WAVE's gender-diversity mandate.

Direct peers

• Women in Automotive: US-based professional association serving women working across the automotive industry — including dealerships, OEMs, and aftermarket — through networking events, leadership development, and recognition awards. Highly comparable non-profit model targeting women in the automotive value chain.
• Women's Automotive Association International (WAAI): International association of professional women in the automotive industry, running networking events, awards, and education programs. Closest international-scope peer to WAVE in mission and operating model.
• Automotive Women's Alliance Foundation (AWAF): US 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation dedicated to advancing women in the automotive industry through scholarships, mentoring, leadership conferences, and awards. Most structurally similar peer given shared non-profit foundation status and focus on automotive women.

Emerging players

• FIA Women in Motorsport Commission: FIA commission promoting gender equality in motorsport globally through driver development, research, and stakeholder engagement. Adjacent peer sharing the women-in-mobility mission but narrower motorsport focus and embedded within motorsport's governing body.
• DIAMOND Project (European Transport Gender Inclusion): European multi-stakeholder project in which WAVE participates, focused on gender inclusion in European transport systems through data collection and self-diagnosis tools. Comparable as a European gender-in-mobility initiative but project-funded rather than a sustained association.
• Women in Transport (UK): UK non-profit supporting gender diversity across the wider transport sector (rail, road, aviation, logistics). Comparable women-in-mobility association model but UK-focused and broader than automotive specifically.

Broad incumbents

• Mobilians: French professional organization representing 21 automotive distribution and service professions, managing the National Collective Agreement for 115,000 SMEs and 400,000 employees. Comparable as a French automotive industry association body, but WAVE is a direct partner rather than a competitor.
• PFA (La Plateforme Automobile): French industry federation bringing together the entire French automotive value chain (OEMs, suppliers, dealers, mobility actors) and master builder of the Paris Motor Show. Comparable as a French automotive industry umbrella organization, much broader in scope and male-dominated by historical composition.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@wavelesellesdelauto/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/WaveAutos
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wave-autos
• Instagraminstagram.com/wave_autos
• TikToktiktok.com/@wave_autos
• Xx.com/waveautos

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 WAVE