Fondation des Possibles

What Fondation des Possibles does

Fondation des Possibles is a French multi-company non-profit foundation (fondation d'entreprise) founded in late 2016 by Pierre de Saintignon to address youth professional insertion in Hauts-de-France. It operates as a unique collective model in France, bringing together 24-28 founding companies, 900+ engaged employee volunteers, and associative insertion partners to deliver programs for young people aged 18-30 facing difficulties entering the labor market, as well as young entrepreneurs in their first year of business.

The foundation delivers a portfolio of programs organized around three pillars: provoking the encounter (Forum des Possibles professional forums, Parcours des Ateliers workshops on CV, confidence, networking, pitching, and job discovery, and the Hackathon des Possibles innovation event), accelerating entrepreneurship (AccelerActeur, a 6-month incubator at EuraTechnologies for young entrepreneurs, launched in 2024 and now in its third cohort), and fostering training (Écoles de la Fondation co-constructed programs such as DesCodeuses with CGI and Kyndryl for web development, the skola logistics program with KIABI, and Génération training with Cofidis). Founding companies provide free venues, in-kind mentoring, and co-constructed curricula; the co-built inclusive recruitment process with Leroy Merlin, labeled "Validé par nos jeunes!", has been deployed nationally across all Leroy Merlin stores in France.

The foundation is funded exclusively through corporate patronage (mécénat), with companies committing financially for the duration of a five-year mandate and engaging their employees as volunteer collaborators. It charges no fees to young people, entrepreneurs, or associative partners. Operationally, a core team of five (Leader Opérationnelle, Responsable Projets, Chargée de Projets MEL, Chargée de Projets Hauts-de-France, and Chargée de Communication) coordinates the work, while governance rests with a Board of Directors structured in three colleges representing founders, employee representatives, and qualified individuals. As of 2024, the foundation had supported 4,245 young people since inception (1,038 in 2024 alone), 75 entrepreneurs cumulatively, and reported strong participant satisfaction metrics (91-98% positive).

Name

Fondation des Possibles

Legal name

La Fondation des Possibles

Website

https://lafondationdespossibles.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Fondation des Possibles is a French multi-company non-profit foundation, operating since 2016 to support youth professional insertion in Hauts-de-France. It convenes 28 founding companies, 900+ employee volunteers, and associative partners to deliver workshops, forums, training, and entrepreneurship incubation programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Lesquin

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Corporate Membership/Sponsorship: Companies become founding members by committing financially until the end of the mandate period (mécénat). Each company contributes funding and enables their employees to participate in volunteer activities (mécénat de compétence or bénévolat de compétence).
2. Collaborator Engagement: Companies allow their employees to engage as volunteers in foundation activities, contributing expertise and time rather than direct financial support.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Fondation des Possibles is a multi-company operational foundation that coordinates and delivers youth professional insertion programs. It runs a portfolio of structured programs including a 6-month business incubator (AccelerActeur), adaptable workshop pathways (Parcours des Ateliers) covering CV building, confidence, networking, and pitch training, large-scale professional encounter forums (Forum des Possibles), in-demand trade training schools (Écoles de la Fondation), annual innovation hackathons (Hackathon des Possibles), and co-constructed inclusive recruitment processes. The foundation operates across the Hauts-de-France region of France through a collective of 24-28 founding companies and 900+ engaged employee volunteers.

Product overview

Fondation des Possibles is a multi-company operational foundation focused on youth professional insertion. The organization offers a portfolio of programs including AccelerActeur (6-month business incubator), Parcours des Ateliers (adaptable workshop pathway with 6 workshop types), Forum des Possibles (professional meeting forum), Écoles de la Fondation (in-demand trade training programs), Hackathon des Possibles (annual innovation event), Mini Entreprise S (mini-enterprise educational program), and co-constructed recruitment process projects. These programs work together to connect disengaged youth with companies, provide training, mentoring, and support for entrepreneurship.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• AccelerActeur A 6-month post-creation business incubator for young entrepreneurs, offering modules animated by company collaborators, free workspace at EuraTechnologies, mentoring, financial support, and professional networking.
• Parcours des Ateliers (Workshop Pathway) An adaptable workshop pathway for young people covering CV building (Boost ton CV), confidence building (Confiance en soi), professional exchanges (Echanges professionnels), networking (Développe ton Réseau via LinkedIn), presentation skills (Boost ton Pitch), and job discovery sessions (Rencontres Métiers). Each workshop groups 10-15 participants animated by company collaborators.
• Forum des Possibles A professional meeting forum connecting young people with company collaborators for personalized exchanges, professional project confirmation, sector discovery, and network expansion. Forums are co-constructed with partners and held in their premises across multiple Hauts-de-France cities.
• Écoles de la Fondation (Les Écoles des Possibles) Training programs co-created with associative partners, training organizations, and founding companies to help NEET youth discover and train in in-demand trades. Programs include DesCodeuses (web development with CGI and Kyndryl), the skola program with Apprentis d'Auteuil and KIABI in logistics, and the 'Relation Clients 2.0' training with Cofidis.
• Hackathon des Possibles An annual hackathon event bringing together young people, company collaborators, and insertion professionals to develop innovative solutions for youth employment challenges. The 2024 edition gathered 122 participants at STAB Vélodrome in Roubaix.
• Mini Entreprise S A mini-enterprise educational program run in partnership with Entreprendre Pour Apprendre, where young people work in teams to create and present a project addressing a specific challenge, developing soft skills and entrepreneurial mindset.
• Process de Recrutement Inclusif (Co-construction with Leroy Merlin) A co-construction project with Leroy Merlin and associative structures to create an inclusive recruitment process labeled 'Validé par nos jeunes!' for apprenticeship positions, now deployed across all Leroy Merlin stores in France.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4,245 young people supported since 2016, with 1,038 in 2024 alone
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

33 partnerships are on record, tiered founding, regional, core and minor.

• AG2R La MondialefoundingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor French insurance and social protection company, founding member of the foundation since 2016, contributing to collective employer engagement for youth insertion.
• KIABIfoundingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench ready-to-wear retailer (510+ stores in 20 countries), founding member. Open facilities for young people and highly involved in logistics training programs.
• CGIfoundingStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal IT consulting and services leader, founding member. Opens facilities to discover digital professions and strongly involved in digital training (DesCodeuses program).
• Leroy MerlinfoundingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench DIY retailer (Adeo Group), founding member. Regular partner for workshops and co-constructed inclusive recruitment process project.
• Caisse d'Epargne Hauts-de-FrancefoundingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperative bank, founding member. Engaged in helping young people work on professional presentation (CV, interviews) and sharing professions at forums.
• ManpowerfoundingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmployment services company, founding member. Opens facilities for presentations and workshops for young people supported by the foundation.
• SNCFfoundingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench national railway company, founding member. Engaged in workshop participation and employment barrier lifting sessions.
• CofidisfoundingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean consumer credit specialist, founding member. Opens facilities for activities and shared workshops. Co-constructed Génération training program.
• Rabot DutilleulfoundingStrategic or Co-development PartnerReal estate promotion and construction group, founding member. Regularly opens facilities for activities and shares workshops for young people.
• La RedoutefoundingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench e-commerce company founded in 1837, founding member. Opens headquarters and logistics center to promote professions to young people.
• Vitamine TfoundingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational employment and inclusion actor with 28 social enterprises, founding member. Accompanied the foundation launch and opens facilities regularly.
• Groupe Mon AbrifoundingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial housing group operating in Hauts-de-France and Grand Est, founding member. Aligned with foundation commitments on housing, employment, and training.
• Toyota MMFfoundingStrategic or Co-development PartnerToyota Onnaing automotive plant, founding member. Participates in foundation events and forums.
• RameryfoundingStrategic or Co-development PartnerConstruction group (BTP) founded 50 years ago, one of French construction leaders, founding member.
• Ambiances TPfoundingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic works company in Nord Pas-de-Calais, founding member. Engaged in various actions including sharing young people's pathways through workshops.
• ArchimedfoundingStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology company founded 1993, specializing in document management and digital solutions for libraries and museums.
• BaudeletfoundingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironment company (waste collection, treatment, recycling) founded 1964, founding member. Invests through Fonds Jean Baudelet.
• Envie 2efoundingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubsidiary of Groupe Vitamine T, dedicated to waste collection and recycling for businesses, founding member.
• Groupe HolderfoundingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFamily-owned French agri-food company specializing in bakery, pastry, and viennoiserie for 60+ years, founded by Francis Holder.
• Sparkling PartnersfoundingStrategic or Co-development PartnerStartup studio creating and developing innovative companies, founding member. Strongly engaged on entrepreneurial axis.
• Users Love ITfoundingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCompany helping commercial teams optimize performance in negotiation, assortment, and promotions.
• VitaservicesfoundingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubsidiary of Groupe Vitamine T, expert in cleaning, green spaces, and multi-services with agencies in Hauts-de-France and Paris region.
• WestaFrancefoundingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommercial brand of Westaflex building, European leader in flexible metal conduits for heating and ventilation, part of Groupe POUJOULAT.
• Maison de Quartier Centre-Ville de ValenciennesregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal partner for Forum des Possibles in Valenciennes, enabling foundation expansion beyond Lille metropolitan area.
• EXAECOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunication agency that co-constructed the Hackathon des Possibles framework, enabling participants to express themselves freely.
• Entreprendre Pour ApprendreregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation supporting Mini Entreprise S programs, collaborated on first Mini Entreprise S at foundation with Cofidis.
• Centre EPIDE CambrairegionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic establishment for young people insertion, co-constructed 6th Forum des Possibles at their facilities.
• ELSANregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrivate health operator, participated in Valenciennes Forum with health awareness stand for young people.
• JobissimminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided Jobibox service at Valenciennes Forum for creating video CVs.
• KyndrylcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIT infrastructure services company, co-constructed DesCodeuses training program with CGI for women in priority neighborhoods.
• Apprentis d'AuteuilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation supporting disadvantaged youth, launched skola program with KIABI in logistics warehouse. 12 young people trained, all secured 6-month professionalization contracts.
• DesCodeusescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation training women from priority neighborhoods in web development. 16 women completed 6-month training followed by 6-month internship.
• Génération FranceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation providing free training programs for careers in tension. Co-constructed 'Relation Clients 2.0' training with Cofidis.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Article 1: French nonprofit connecting young people from priority neighborhoods with mentors from major companies for professional insertion; directly comparable mission, similar corporate partner model, but operates nationally rather than regionally.
• Vitamine T: Major French employment and inclusion network with 28 social enterprises focused on professional insertion of disadvantaged populations — direct operational peer and founding member of Fondation des Possibles.
• Moovjee: French association dedicated to supporting young entrepreneurs through mentoring, training, and networking — directly comparable target segment and entrepreneurship support mission with national reach.
• 100 000 Entrepreneurs: French association mobilizing entrepreneurs to inspire and train young people about entrepreneurship — comparable youth entrepreneurship education focus and corporate volunteer engagement model.
• France Active: National network financing and supporting social enterprises and entrepreneurs from disadvantaged backgrounds — comparable entrepreneurship support function to AccelerActeur with broader financing instruments.
• Centre EPIDE: Public establishment running residential youth insertion programs at multiple centers across France — comparable youth professional insertion mission with formal training pathway; one of Fondation des Possibles' regional venue partners.

Others

• Avise: French organization supporting social enterprises and innovative social programs through consulting, research, and ecosystem development — adjacent peer providing infrastructure and capacity-building services relevant to the foundation's operational model.

Broad incumbents

• Fondation Agir Contre l'Exclusion (FACE): Major French corporate foundation network tackling exclusion through corporate engagement, multi-stakeholder coalitions, and field programs — operates with similar multi-company patronage structure but at national scale and with broader thematic scope.
• Apprentis d'Auteuil: Large French foundation supporting disadvantaged youth through education, training, and professional insertion — partners with KIABI on logistics training alongside Fondation des Possibles; broader national scope across multiple programs.
• Fondation Vinci pour la Cité: Established corporate foundation of VINCI group supporting professional insertion through training and employment — comparable corporate foundation structure and insertion mission at single-corporate sponsorship model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fondation-des-possibles

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

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Fondation des Possibles