Fondation AgroParisTech

What Fondation AgroParisTech does

Fondation AgroParisTech is a French autonomous foundation recognized of public utility (Fondation reconnue d'utilité publique autonome) that channels philanthropic resources into France's agronomy and life-sciences ecosystem through AgroParisTech, one of the country's leading grandes écoles. Founded in 2012, inaugurated in 2013, and granted autonomous FRUP status by government decree in November 2023, the foundation operates from its Palaiseau headquarters with a 12-person team and a satellite Paris office opened in 2024. Its core offering is structured into three initiatives — Apprendre (scholarships, mobility, and attractivity grants), S'engager (citizen engagement), and Entreprendre (entrepreneurial project funding through creativity and maturation juries) — supported by nine endowed research chairs covering topics such as urban agriculture, ecological accounting, sustainable cosmetics, eco-designed food packaging, ecological civil engineering, agricultural methanization, and territorial transitions. A flagship 2025 initiative, Initiative Agroécologie, targets €100 million in fundraising over five years and had mobilized €10 million within its first year.

The foundation's technology footprint is intentionally lean and centered on operational rather than productized capabilities: a WordPress website, AWS-hosted infrastructure in Ireland and Germany, and the iRaiser digital donation platform handling recurring and one-time gifts with preset tiers of €5/€10/€20/€50 monthly and €100/€500/€1,000 one-time. Revenue is generated entirely through philanthropic means: individual donations (subscription-style monthly giving and one-time gifts), corporate patronage via multi-year chair sponsorships (LVMH Recherche, Shiseido, GRDF, WWF France, Unigrains, VINCI, Eiffage, Mazars, INRAE), planned giving through legacies and life insurance, and event-driven fundraising such as Giving Tuesday and the inaugural February 2026 charitable auction. In 2025 the foundation collected €3 million from more than 1,000 donors and corporate partners — double the prior year — supported more than 200 students, researchers, and entrepreneurs, awarded 73 grants and prizes, and achieved a 93% positive impact rating among laureates. The foundation is governed by a Déléguée générale (Margaux Morin Diakhaby) and presided by Jean-Pierre Duprieu, with biodiversity scientist Gilles Bœuf serving as official ambassador.

Name

Fondation AgroParisTech

Legal name

Fondation AgroParisTech

Website

https://fondation.agroparistech.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Fondation AgroParisTech is a French autonomous public-utility foundation that channels philanthropic donations into scholarships, nine endowed research chairs, and entrepreneurship programs serving AgroParisTech students, researchers, and life-sciences entrepreneurs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Educational Foundation / Higher Education Philanthropy

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132), Other Grantmaking and Giving Services (813219)

akta.pro primary industry

Research & Science Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM), Public Charities & Grantmaking Intermediaries (BPAGAKAE), International Grantmaking & Development Foundations (BPAGAKAH), Research Grants, Fellowships & Stipends (International) (EDAIAOAJ), Ecosystem Services & Natural Capital Programs (Water, Biodiversity Credits, PES) (IMAMAJAK)

Keywords

• Philanthropic foundation services
• Academic research funding
• Student scholarship programs
• Endowed research chairs
• Corporate philanthropy partnerships

Headquarters

HQ city

Palaiseau

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

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. Individual Donations: The foundation collects recurring monthly donations from individual supporters, with preset amounts of 5€, 10€, 20€, and 50€ per month, as well as one-time donations ranging from 100€ to 1,000€ or custom amounts.
2. Corporate Partnerships and Patronage: Corporate partners and patrons (mécènes) provide financial support through multi-year sponsorship agreements, including dedicated funding for research chairs (chaires de mécénat) and specific programs. In 2025, the foundation collected 3 million euros from more than 1,000 donors and corporate partners.
3. Legacy Giving: Legacy gifts (legs) and life insurance donations (assurance-vie) represent planned giving mechanisms where donors contribute future assets to the foundation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Fondation AgroParisTech raises philanthropic funds from individuals and corporations and redistributes them as scholarships, jury-selected project grants, and endowed research chairs that support AgroParisTech students, researchers, and entrepreneurs in life sciences. Its three flagship initiatives—Apprendre (mobility, attractivity, and project scholarships), S'engager (citizen engagement grants), and Entreprendre (entrepreneurship jury funding)—operate alongside nine themed research chairs covering agroecology, sustainable cosmetics, urban agriculture, ecological accounting, eco-designed packaging, ecological engineering, agricultural methanization, digital agriculture, and territorial transitions.

Product overview

Fondation AgroParisTech is a public utility foundation (FRUP) that operates as a coordinated portfolio of support programs rather than a unified tech product. The foundation's offerings are organized around three main initiatives—Apprendre (learning grants), S'engager (civic engagement), and Entreprendre (entrepreneurship support)—complemented by nine thematic endowed research chairs covering topics from urban agriculture to ecological engineering. A flagship initiative is the Agroécologie program, which includes a digital knowledge platform and four complementary modules for research, demonstration, training, and valorization. The foundation provides financial support through scholarships (mobility, attractiveness, and subject-specific) and entrepreneurial project funding, without operating traditional software products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Initiative Apprendre: Program supporting scholarships, attractivity grants, and international mobility aid for students.
• Initiative S'engager
• Initiative Entreprendre
• Chaire de Cosmétologie d'AgroParisTech
• Chaire Comptabilité Écologique
• Chaire CoPack (Emballages alimentaires écoconçus)
• Chaire Génie Civil Écologique
• Alliance H@rvest (Agriculture et numérique)
• Chaire Agricultures Urbaines
• Chaire InterActions (Territoires et transitions)
• Alliance Méthanisation Agricole
• Chaire Patrimoines communs et facilitation stratégique
• Bourse Maurice Ferrier

Products and services

• Initiative Apprendre Program providing scholarships, grants, and mobility support for AgroParisTech students pursuing international mobility experiences, internships, and academic enrichment opportunities.
• Initiative S'engager Program supporting citizen and solidarity engagement projects led by AgroParisTech students and alumni through jury-based selection.
• Initiative Entreprendre Entrepreneurship initiative supporting innovative projects in life sciences and sustainable development through Maturation and Accélération programs with jury-based grant selection (Entrepreneurs du Vivant).
• Chaires de Mécénat (Endowed Research Chairs) Portfolio of nine themed endowed research chairs funded by corporate patrons, addressing sustainability challenges across agroecology, urban agriculture, digital agriculture, ecological accounting, sustainable cosmetics, eco-designed packaging, ecological civil engineering, agricultural methanization, common heritage, and territorial transitions.
• Initiative Agroécologie Flagship agroecology initiative aimed at transitioning agricultural systems, structured around four modules — knowledge platform (Plateforme Numérique Agroécologie), territorial demonstrations, actor training, and success valorization — with AgroParisTech and INRAE.
• Bourses de Mobilité Internationale International mobility scholarships supporting AgroParisTech students undertaking study abroad or international internships within their academic programs (e.g., 13 students supported for 2026 mobility projects).
• Bourses d'Attractivité Attractiveness scholarships supporting international students choosing to study at AgroParisTech, addressing financial barriers to enrollment and supporting diversity.
• Plateforme Numérique Agroécologie Digital knowledge platform for structuring and sharing resources on agroecology, part of the Initiative Agroécologie in partnership with AgroParisTech and INRAE.

Quantifiable outcome

• 93% of laureates report positive impact from foundation support on their projects and careers
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• INRAE (Institut national de recherche pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025INRAE is a key institutional partner supporting the agroecology initiative alongside AgroParisTech and the foundation, contributing scientific expertise to the transition program.
• LVMH RecherchecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 December 2023LVMH Recherche partnered with the foundation to support the Chaire de Cosmétologie d'AgroParisTech, contributing to talent development in the cosmetics sector. This partnership reflects LVMH's commitment to sustainable beauty innovation.
• AgroParisTechcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 July 2023AgroParisTech is the founding institution and primary academic partner of the foundation. The foundation operates under the aegis of AgroParisTech, supporting its students, research chairs, and institutional missions.
• ShiseidocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 February 2022Shiseido joined forces with the foundation to support the Chaire de Cosmétologie d'AgroParisTech, acting at the heart of cosmetics professions. The partnership focuses on advancing sustainable and innovative approaches in the cosmetics industry.
• ESTP Paris, UPGE, VINCI Construction, Groupe EiffagecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022The foundation partnered with AgroParisTech, ESTP Paris, UPGE, VINCI Construction, and Groupe Eiffage to create the 'Génie civil écologique' (Ecological Civil Engineering) chair, advancing sustainable construction practices.
• GRDFsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 February 2020GRDF partnered with AgroParisTech and the foundation to support agricultural methanization development, contributing to sustainable energy solutions in agriculture.
• AgroParisTech AlumnisupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2019AgroParisTech Alumni provides event space and venues for foundation activities, including the charitable auction held at quai Voltaire, Paris.
• Sienna IMsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSienna IM became a patron (mécène) of the ecological accounting chair (Chaire Comptabilité Écologique), associating with the foundation to advance research and knowledge in environmental accounting methodologies.
• WWF FrancesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerWWF France collaborated with AgroParisTech and the foundation to contribute to creating sustainable agricultural and forestry production systems, leveraging conservation expertise.
• UnigrainscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnigrains renewed its partnership with the foundation for three years, demonstrating long-term commitment to supporting the foundation's mission in the agricultural and food sectors.
• MazarssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerMazars is engaged alongside the foundation for the Entreprendre initiative, supporting entrepreneurs building a better future through professional services and mentorship.
• Forum VitaesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerForum Vitae united with the foundation to encourage solidarity and citizen engagement, supporting the foundation's S'engager initiative for civic projects.
• Bourse Maurice FerriersupportingOthersThe Maurice Ferrier social scholarship was welcomed as the foundation's first sheltered foundation (fondation abritée), expanding the foundation's social impact initiatives.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco: A major European foundation funding projects on climate change, biodiversity, and sustainable development. Comparable thematically (environment, sustainability) but with significantly larger scale and broader geographic reach.
• Fondation de France: The largest French grantmaking foundation, distributing philanthropic funds across research, environment, education, and social causes. Comparable as a peer in the FRUP grantmaking space, but with a much broader thematic scope and substantially larger scale.

Direct peers

• Fondation GoodPlanet: A French environmental foundation focused on ecological transition and sustainability. Comparable in thematic alignment (environment, sustainability) and as a corporate-donor-funded FRUP foundation.
• Fondation ParisTech: Original umbrella foundation under which Fondation AgroParisTech was founded (2012-2023). Direct peer in structure, mission, and target donor base, supporting French engineering schools and their students/researchers through corporate patronage.
• Fondation Université Paris-Saclay: A peer French university foundation based in the same Paris-Saclay ecosystem as AgroParisTech, raising funds for scholarships, research, and entrepreneurship at Université Paris-Saclay. Directly comparable structure, donor base, and beneficiary segments.
• Fondation pour la Recherche sur la Biodiversité (FRB): A French FRUP foundation dedicated to biodiversity research funding, operating with a thematic focus and research-chair model highly analogous to Fondation AgroParisTech's life sciences chairs.
• Fondation Toulouse Cancer Santé: A French FRUP foundation funding biomedical research at the Toulouse oncology center. Comparable as a French research foundation using endowed chairs, corporate patronage, and individual donations to fund scientific research.
• Fondation INRAE: Direct peer: a French foundation of public utility that supports research and innovation at INRAE, the French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment. Directly comparable as a French research foundation in agricultural/life sciences with similar endowed-chair and donor-mobilization models.

Others

• AgroParisTech Alumni: The alumni network of AgroParisTech, an existing institutional partner that provides event space and donor mobilization support to Fondation AgroParisTech. Comparable as a stakeholder ecosystem player in the AgroParisTech community.

Emerging players

• Fondation Yves Rocher - Terre de Femmes: A French corporate-backed environmental foundation awarding grants for biodiversity and sustainability projects. Comparable grantmaking model with thematic overlap in agroecology and life sciences, though operating at smaller scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCBxZabLWMUx8HjiXNpQu95w/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/FondationAgroParisTech
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fondation-agroparistech
• Instagraminstagram.com/fondationagroparistech

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Fondation AgroParisTech