The Village by CA Nord de France
The Village by CA Nord de France is a corporate-backed startup accelerator in Lille, France, created and funded by Crédit Agricole Nord de France. It runs multi-year acceleration programs, event space rentals, training, and intrapreneurship services for ~30 startups and 26+ corporate and academic partners.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersLille, France
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What The Village by CA Nord de France does
The Village by CA Nord de France is a startup accelerator and innovation hub created and funded by Crédit Agricole Nord de France, operating from a 4,500 m² dedicated building within the Euratechnologies tech campus in Lille, France. Its core offering is a multi-year acceleration program for early-stage startups (typically less than five years old), supported by an internal team of experts and a curated partner network of 26–29 corporates, universities, and research institutions including EDF, IBM, Bonduelle, INRAE, Junia, and Advitam. The accelerator currently accompanies approximately 30 startups, of which 28 are physically in residence, and reports that accelerated startups have collectively raised nearly €19 million in 2023 and consolidated 400 jobs.
Beyond startup acceleration, The Village operates five distinct product lines: (i) a Startup Acceleration Program providing mentorship, networking, and workspace; (ii) Event Space Rental across 20 modular spaces accommodating 2 to 350 people; (iii) Innovation Training Programs on methodology topics; (iv) an Intrapreneurship Program enabling corporate employees to develop internal ventures using startup methods; and (v) a 3-day immersive Start-up Studio Experience. It does not develop proprietary technology itself; instead, it provides the infrastructure, network, and program design that connect startups to corporate pilot opportunities and investor contacts. In 2024 the accelerator hosted over 300 events (up from 286 in 2023, which drew 7,800 visitors) and launched two major thematic verticals — Agri-Agro Transitions and Energy Transitions — often in collaboration with up to 14 other Villages across the 47-strong Crédit Agricole Village network spanning France, Italy, and Luxembourg.
The business model is fundamentally a corporate-funded acceleration platform rather than an independently revenue-generating enterprise. Revenue streams include partner subscriptions, event space rentals, training fees, and likely central funding from Crédit Agricole Nord de France, with the cooperative-bank parent providing the underlying subsidy. Customer segments are tripartite: startups (primary users of acceleration), large enterprises (sponsors, pilot hosts, intrapreneurship clients), and research/educational institutions (talent and IP contributors). The venture does not raise external funding rounds, has no M&A activity, and is operationally housed within the cooperative bank's regional economic development mission rather than as a standalone commercial entity.
The Village by CA Nord de France firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Village by CA Nord de France
- Legal name
- Caisse Régionale de Crédit Agricole Mutuel Nord de France
- Website
- https://lille.levillagebyca.com
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- The Village by CA Nord de France is a corporate-backed startup accelerator in Lille, France, created and funded by Crédit Agricole Nord de France. It runs multi-year acceleration programs, event space rentals, training, and intrapreneurship services for ~30 startups and 26+ corporate and academic partners.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Village by CA Nord de France industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Startup Accelerator and Innovation Hub Services
- akta.pro primary industry
- Venture Studios / Company Builders (FSANAAAH)
Keywords
Where The Village by CA Nord de France is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lille
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Village by CA Nord de France business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Accelerator services: The Village operates as a startup accelerator funded and supported by Credit Agricole Nord de France. It provides acceleration programs, workspace rental, event hosting, and innovation services to startups and corporate partners. Revenue is derived from partner subscriptions, event rentals, and funding from the parent Credit Agricole entity.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
The Village by CA Nord de France product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Village by CA Nord de France is a startup accelerator and innovation hub located on the Euratechnologies campus in Lille, France. It provides acceleration programs, office and event space, mentoring, and networking services to early-stage startups, while also delivering corporate open innovation, intrapreneurship, and innovation training services to established companies. The hub operates as a regional node within the 47-hub Villages by CA network backed by Crédit Agricole Nord de France.
Product overview
The Village by CA Nord de France is a startup accelerator operated by Crédit Agricole Nord de France, offering a comprehensive suite of services for innovative companies. The core offering consists of an acceleration program housed in a 4,500m² building within Euratechnologies in Lille, complemented by modular event spaces for 2-350 people, innovation training programs, an intrapreneurship program for corporate employees, and a 3-day startup studio experience. The ecosystem connects startups with 26+ partners including large enterprises, research institutions, and investors, supporting approximately 30 startups through acceleration and 28 in residence, while organizing 300+ events annually.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Startup Acceleration Program A structured acceleration offering for early-stage startups providing workspace, mentorship, partner introductions, and integration into the Villages by CA network. Designed for founders seeking early-stage growth support in the Hauts-de-France region.
- Start-up Studio Experience An experiential program component linked to the hub's acceleration activities, providing participating startups with hands-on startup-building experience.
- Event Space Rental Rental of the hub's meeting rooms and event spaces for workshops, seminars, and corporate events. Serves organizations seeking a centrally located innovation-branded venue in Lille.
- Innovation Training Programs Training programs delivered by the hub covering innovation topics for startups, corporates, and ecosystem participants, leveraging the expertise of mentors and partners within the network.
- Intrapreneurship Program Program designed to support intrapreneurial initiatives within established companies, helping corporate teams develop internal innovation projects through the hub's methods and ecosystem.
- Corporate Open Innovation Services Services that connect established companies with startups and the broader innovation ecosystem, supporting partnership building, startup scouting, and co-innovation initiatives.
Quantifiable outcome
- 30 startups currently accelerated
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use The Village by CA Nord de France
Customer profileNamed customers13 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Village by CA Nord de France technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Village by CA Nord de France partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
25 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and flagship.
- I.C.E Group (Innovative Cooling Expert)majorInnovative cooling expert specializing in sustainable cold solutions for building a better world through sustainable cooling.
- HODEFIcorePartnership for entrepreneurship support, renewed in December 2024 between HODEFI and Credit Agricole Nord de France.
- IBMmajorTechnology partner in Energy Transitions call for applications, providing expertise in technology and innovation.
- EnedismajorElectricity distribution network operator partner in Energy Transitions call, seeking solutions for energy distribution.
- Université de LillemajorMajor university partner in Energy Transitions call, providing research capabilities and talent.
- Université Catholique de LillemajorUniversity partner in Energy Transitions call, contributing research and academic expertise.
- PronalmajorSpecialist in flexible solutions based on elastomers and plastomers, partner in Energy Transitions, working on new energy markets including wind, solar, and hydrogen.
- EDFmajorCorporate partner in Agri-Agro Transitions call for applications and Energy Transitions call, seeking innovative solutions for sustainable energy.
- BonduellemajorPartner in Agri-Agro Transitions call for applications, sharing expertise as a major player in the agri-food sector.
- INRAEmajorNational research institute for food, agriculture, and environment, providing scientific expertise to the Agri-Agro Transitions ecosystem.
- JuniamajorHigher education institution (formerly ISA Lille) specializing in agriculture, food, and environment, providing research and talent connections.
- AdvitammajorAgricultural cooperative group participating in Agri-Agro Transitions ecosystem, seeking innovation for the agricultural sector.
- AgroParisTechmajorPartner in Agri-Agro Transitions call, contributing agricultural and food system expertise.
- Bioeconomy for ChangemajorEuropean bioeconomy cluster partner in Agri-Agro Transitions ecosystem.
- SENCROPmajorAlumni startup partner, agricultural weather and microclimate data solutions provider, participating in Agri-Agro Transitions ecosystem.
- 14 Villages by CAflagshipMulti-Village collaboration including Villages by CA Alsace-Vosges, Aquitaine, Brie-Picardie, Centre France, Champagne-Bourgogne, Côtes d'Armor, Finistère, Normandie, Languedoc, Food Val de Loire, Morbihan, Nord-Est, and Agreen Lab'O for joint calls for applications on Agri-Agro Transitions.
- Ex'ImcorePartner joined the Village ecosystem in 2023, providing expertise in their domain.
- CUBE RHcoreHuman resources consulting firm specializing in rare profile recruitment and HR support, primarily in IT and digital sectors. Partner since November 2022.
- PronalmajorSpecialist in flexible solutions for elastomers and plastomers, operating in defense, protection, security, aerospace, construction, environment, agriculture, nuclear, oil & gas, and energy sectors. Partner since October 2022.
- CUBE RHcoreHR consulting and recruitment partner providing support to startups on human resources professionalization.
- Crédit Agricole Nord de FranceflagshipCreator and main supporter of The Village by CA Nord de France. Provides funding, corporate network access, and strategic guidance to the accelerator.
- EuratechnologiescoreTechnology excellence zone dedicated to accelerating digital transformation of businesses. Hosts over 300 companies on its 80,000 m² campus. The Village is located within this campus.
- Village by CA NantescoreZeni was previously incubated at Village by CA Nantes for two years before joining Village by CA Nord de France.
- AtlanpolemajorBusiness incubator where Zeni completed pre-incubation program (Azimut by Atlanpole) before meeting co-founders.
- Village by CA LuxembourgcoreNestor recently integrated Village by CA Luxembourg to begin European expansion beyond the Lille region.
Scale indicators13 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Village by CA Nord de France competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Station F: World's largest startup campus based in Paris, hosting thousands of startups, programs, and corporate partners. Direct peer as a French startup accelerator offering workspace, events, and partner access comparable to The Village by CA.
- Numa: Paris-based startup accelerator and innovation hub offering acceleration programs, corporate innovation services, and event spaces. Direct peer competing for French startups and corporate open-innovation budgets.
- Euratechnologies: Lille-based tech campus hosting 300+ companies across 80,000 m²; The Village is physically located inside Euratechnologies. Acts as both host and peer in the regional acceleration ecosystem.
- Agoranov: Paris-based deeptech incubator supporting science-based startups with workspace, mentoring, and investor introductions. Comparable as a French accelerator, particularly relevant given the Village's deeptech/startup-studio programming.
- 50 Partners: Paris-based startup accelerator and venture builder focused on early-stage founders. Direct peer offering structured programs, mentorship, and corporate connections comparable to The Village.
- Bpifrance Le Hub: French public investment bank's startup and innovation hub in Paris, providing acceleration, networking, and corporate introductions. Directly comparable as a French institution-backed startup accelerator.
- H7 Lyon: Lyon's flagship startup accelerator and innovation hub located in a converted industrial building, providing acceleration, workspace, and event hosting. Direct peer with comparable physical-format acceleration model in another French region.
- The Family: Paris-based startup accelerator and education platform supporting European founders with community, education, and investor access. Comparable French accelerator targeting early-stage startups.
Regional players
- Village by CA Paris: Sister accelerator within the same Village by CA network, located in Paris with similar programs, structure, and Crédit Agricole backing. Strong operational comparability but operates in a different French region.
Broad incumbents
- La French Tech: Government-backed umbrella network for French startups, ecosystems, and accelerators across France. Broader incumbent in the French innovation ecosystem that overlaps with The Village's mission and visibility.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Village by CA Nord de France social profiles
Digital presenceThe Village by CA Nord de France financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Village by CA Nord de France leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
The Village by CA Nord de France funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Village by CA Nord de France M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments1 record
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Village by CA Nord de France
What does The Village by CA Nord de France do?
The Village by CA Nord de France is a startup accelerator and innovation hub located on the Euratechnologies campus in Lille, France. It provides acceleration programs, office and event space, mentoring, and networking services to early-stage startups, while also delivering corporate open innovation, intrapreneurship, and innovation training services to established companies. The hub operates as a regional node within the 47-hub Villages by CA network backed by Crédit Agricole Nord de France.
Is The Village by CA Nord de France a public or private company?
The Village by CA Nord de France is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was The Village by CA Nord de France founded?
The Village by CA Nord de France was founded in -1.
Where is The Village by CA Nord de France based?
The Village by CA Nord de France is headquartered in Lille, France, in the Europe region.
How does The Village by CA Nord de France make money?
One revenue line is on record: accelerator services.
Who are The Village by CA Nord de France's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Station F, Numa, Euratechnologies, Agoranov, 50 Partners, Bpifrance Le Hub, H7 Lyon and The Family. Village by CA Paris is listed as a regional player. La French Tech is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does The Village by CA Nord de France have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Village by CA Nord de France.
What industry is The Village by CA Nord de France in?
The Village by CA Nord de France's product category is Startup Accelerator and Innovation Hub Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSANAAAH, Venture Studios / Company Builders.