The Village by CA Nord de France

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.

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

Product category

Startup Accelerator and Innovation Hub Services

akta.pro primary industry

Venture Studios / Company Builders (FSANAAAH)

Keywords

• Startup acceleration
• Business incubation
• Innovation ecosystem
• Event space rental
• Corporate innovation

Headquarters

HQ city

Lille

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. 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

Core 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

Named customers13 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and flagship.

• I.C.E Group (Innovative Cooling Expert)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 July 2025Innovative cooling expert specializing in sustainable cold solutions for building a better world through sustainable cooling.
• HODEFIcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 December 2024Partnership for entrepreneurship support, renewed in December 2024 between HODEFI and Credit Agricole Nord de France.
• IBMmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 May 2024Technology partner in Energy Transitions call for applications, providing expertise in technology and innovation.
• EnedismajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 May 2024Electricity distribution network operator partner in Energy Transitions call, seeking solutions for energy distribution.
• Université de LillemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 May 2024Major university partner in Energy Transitions call, providing research capabilities and talent.
• Université Catholique de LillemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 May 2024University partner in Energy Transitions call, contributing research and academic expertise.
• PronalmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 May 2024Specialist in flexible solutions based on elastomers and plastomers, partner in Energy Transitions, working on new energy markets including wind, solar, and hydrogen.
• EDFmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 April 2024Corporate partner in Agri-Agro Transitions call for applications and Energy Transitions call, seeking innovative solutions for sustainable energy.
• BonduellemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 April 2024Partner in Agri-Agro Transitions call for applications, sharing expertise as a major player in the agri-food sector.
• INRAEmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 April 2024National research institute for food, agriculture, and environment, providing scientific expertise to the Agri-Agro Transitions ecosystem.
• JuniamajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 April 2024Higher education institution (formerly ISA Lille) specializing in agriculture, food, and environment, providing research and talent connections.
• AdvitammajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 April 2024Agricultural cooperative group participating in Agri-Agro Transitions ecosystem, seeking innovation for the agricultural sector.
• AgroParisTechmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 April 2024Partner in Agri-Agro Transitions call, contributing agricultural and food system expertise.
• Bioeconomy for ChangemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 April 2024European bioeconomy cluster partner in Agri-Agro Transitions ecosystem.
• SENCROPmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 April 2024Alumni startup partner, agricultural weather and microclimate data solutions provider, participating in Agri-Agro Transitions ecosystem.
• 14 Villages by CAflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 4 April 2024Multi-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'ImcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 May 2023Partner joined the Village ecosystem in 2023, providing expertise in their domain.
• CUBE RHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 November 2022Human resources consulting firm specializing in rare profile recruitment and HR support, primarily in IT and digital sectors. Partner since November 2022.
• PronalmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 October 2022Specialist 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 RHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 October 2022HR consulting and recruitment partner providing support to startups on human resources professionalization.
• Crédit Agricole Nord de FranceflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreator and main supporter of The Village by CA Nord de France. Provides funding, corporate network access, and strategic guidance to the accelerator.
• EuratechnologiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology 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 NantescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorZeni was previously incubated at Village by CA Nantes for two years before joining Village by CA Nord de France.
• AtlanpolemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness incubator where Zeni completed pre-incubation program (Azimut by Atlanpole) before meeting co-founders.
• Village by CA LuxembourgcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNestor recently integrated Village by CA Luxembourg to begin European expansion beyond the Lille region.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct 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

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/levillagebyca-norddefrance

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&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