21 | Croix-Rouge française

What 21 | Croix-Rouge française does

21 (legal entity: Croix-Rouge Nexem Innovation, SAS) is the social innovation accelerator of Croix-Rouge française and Nexem, launched in May 2019 and headquartered in a 1,000 m² facility on the Croix-Rouge campus in Montrouge, France. The company operates a portfolio of six acceleration programs — Impact Data (digital health), Intrapreneuriat (internal innovation from Croix-Rouge/Nexem staff), Entrepreneuriat (external social startups), Emploi Santé Handicap (disability employment, with OETH), 21H (disability, with APF France Handicap and CCAH), and Bien vieillir (healthy aging) — complemented by two newer programs (Perspective Entreprendre for judicial reintegration, Décl!c for youth integration). Each program offers roughly 10 months of tailored acceleration including individual coaching, expert mentorship, and access to Croix-Rouge's 664 establishments and 1,100 volunteer locations as real-world testing grounds. The accelerator also runs a 1,000 m² coworking space (from €170/month) and modular event venue (from €400) hosting 100+ coworkers, and provides social-innovation training workshops.

Technically, 21 is a platform rather than a software company: its digital assets include the RED Social Innovation platform (launched with Spanish Red Cross, supporting Solferino Academy, IFRC, and CICR) and coworking/event infrastructure. AI, VR, and data-driven solutions are predominantly produced by accelerated startups rather than by 21 itself. The revenue model mixes coworking/event rental (recurring + one-time), corporate partnerships and mécénat de compétences (e.g., Devoteam, Wavestone), and co-financed programs with strategic partners (Nexem 40% equity, Fondation Roche €400K/year for Impact Data, OETH for disability employment). Since 2021, Nexem holds a 40% stake, making 21 a joint venture leveraging the combined reach of 11,634+ social, medico-social, and health establishments across France.

Name

21 | Croix-Rouge française

Legal name

Croix-Rouge Nexem Innovation

Website

https://21-croix-rouge.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

21 is the social innovation accelerator of Croix-Rouge française and Nexem, running six programs that support social entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs developing solutions for vulnerable populations, complemented by a 1,000 m² coworking and event space in Montrouge.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Innovation Accelerator Services

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Innovation & Design Thinking Programs (EDAMAHAD)

Keywords

• Social innovation accelerator
• Social entrepreneurship programs
• Impact acceleration programs
• Nonprofit coworking space
• Social venture support

Headquarters

HQ city

Montrouge

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Coworking Space Rental: 21 generates revenue through renting equipped workstations starting at 170€ HT/month, private offices, and open spaces. Additional revenue comes from event space rental starting at 400€ HT for conference spaces with tiered seating.
2. Event Space Rental: Modular event spaces and meeting rooms are rented for conferences, seminars, team brainstormings, and inspiring visits. Services include catering, audiovisual equipment, and social innovation workshops.
3. Corporate Partnerships and Mécénat: Partner companies provide skills-based sponsorship (mécénat de compétences) where employees are released to work on 21 projects. Devoteam, Wavestone, and others have participated in multi-year partnerships.
4. Co-constructed Programs with Partners: Partners like OETH, CNAV Ile-de-France, and Fondation Roche co-finance and co-develop specialized acceleration programs targeting specific social issues (disability employment, healthy aging, health data).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

21 (Croix-Rouge Nexem Innovation) is a social innovation accelerator that runs 10-month tailored acceleration programs for social entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs, and partner organizations, providing expert coaching, mentorship, and access to Croix-Rouge française's nationwide testing grounds. It complements the programs with a 1,000 m² coworking and event space at the Montrouge campus, social innovation training workshops, and contributes to the RED Social Innovation international platform. The organization is jointly owned by Croix-Rouge française (majority) and Nexem (40%).

Product overview

21 is a social innovation accelerator operated by Croix-Rouge Nexem Innovation, a subsidiary of Croix-Rouge française and Nexem. Rather than a single product, 21 operates as a portfolio of accelerator programs supporting social entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs, and organizations. The core offerings include six specialized acceleration programs (Intrapreneuriat, Entrepreneuriat, Impact Data, Emploi Santé Handicap, 21H for disability, and Bien vieillir for aging), complemented by two new programs (Perspective Entreprendre for judicial reintegration and Décl!c for youth integration). Supporting services include a 1,000 m² coworking space and event venue at the Montrouge campus, and social innovation training workshops. The accelerator also participates in the international RED Social Innovation digital platform. Most AI-enabled solutions are developed by the startups and projects within the programs rather than as core platform offerings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Programme Impact Data A specialized acceleration program focused on digital health access for all, supporting projects that leverage health data to improve patient pathways and care delivery within Croix-Rouge française facilities.
• Programme Intrapreneuriat An internal innovation program for Croix-Rouge française and Nexem network volunteers, employees, and students to develop solutions to real-world challenges, structured in phases: Petit Bain, Grand Bain, and Grand Large.
• Programme Entrepreneuriat An acceleration program for social entrepreneurs developing solutions to address social vulnerabilities, providing access to Croix-Rouge française expertise, networks, and experimentation sites.
• Programme Emploi, Santé, Handicap A joint program with OETH association to accelerate innovations for inclusion and job retention of professionals with disabilities in the health, social, and medico-social sector, offering incubation and experimentation pathways with €15,000 in funding per laureate.
• Programme 21H A disability-focused innovation acceleration program created in partnership with APF France handicap and CCAH, providing access to networks, expertise, resources, and experimentation sites for 10 months of individualized support.
• Programme Bien vieillir A program supporting innovations for healthy aging and the emergence of a longevity society, addressing challenges of increasing elderly populations and loss of autonomy.
• Coworking Social A 1,000 m² coworking space at the Croix-Rouge française campus in Montrouge, offering equipped workstations, private offices, 8 meeting rooms, and community access for social impact organizations starting at €170/month.
• Espace Événementiel A 1,000 m² modular event space for conferences, seminars, team brainstormings, and inspirational visits, with conference space with tiered seating starting at €400 excl. VAT.
• Ateliers d'Innovation Sociale Custom collaborative workshop formats including short formats (Innovation Fresco, Co-development) and long formats (Discover/Launch/Deepen Design Thinking workshops, Hackathons) based on 21's social innovation methodology.
• Programme Perspective Entreprendre A program accompanying the reintegration of people under judicial supervision through entrepreneurship, supporting social reintegration through innovative business creation.
• Programme Décl!c A program supporting the integration of youth from social services (Aide sociale à l'enfance), fostering insertion and social inclusion through innovation.
• RED Social Innovation An international social innovation platform launched by the French and Spanish Red Cross, available in English, French, and Spanish, showcasing and connecting social innovations from Croix-Rouge movements worldwide.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30+ solutions accelerated since May 2019
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core, key and supporting.

• Devoteam FoundationflagshipTechnology or Integration · 29 September 2020Three-year partnership (signed Sept 2020) using technology to maximize social impact of accelerated projects. Consultants provide skills-based sponsorship (mécénat de compétences) for technology needs, commercial strategy, implementation, and deployment. Supported Clichés, MeHandYou, and Minutis projects. Also helped deploy Croix-Rouge Chez Vous during COVID-19 crisis.
• OETH (Association Accord Handicap)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2020Co-creator of Programme 21 x OETH for employment of people with disabilities. For 35 years, OETH has supported the sector in implementing ambitious disability policies. 21 and OETH have accelerated 24 solutions since 2020 for inclusion and job retention.
• Fondation RocheflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Co-created Programme Impact Data (2020) to use Croix-Rouge's data to improve patient pathways. One-year program accompanying two external structures in health data utilization, with solutions addressing Croix-Rouge's needs. Roche contributes 400,000€ annually to healthcare innovation.
• Croix-Rouge françaisecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2019Parent organization and co-founder of 21. Croix-Rouge française is the first social organization in France with 59,000 volunteers, 17,000 employees, operating 664 establishments. Provides testing grounds, expert resources, institutional legitimacy, and access to vulnerable populations across all French departments.
• NexemcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2019Principal employer representative in social, medico-social, and sanitary private non-profit sector. Holds 40% stake in Croix-Rouge Nexem Innovation (21). Represents 11,000 establishments employing 330,000 professionals. Became strategic partner to strengthen innovation impact in the sector.
• APF France handicapcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor disability organization providing access to networks, expertise, resources, and testing grounds for Programme 21H focused on disability innovation. Contributes TechLab activities for co-designing innovative products with disabled users.
• CCAH (Comité Coordination des Associations de handicap)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-creator of Programme 21H for disability innovation. Contributes funding, expertise, and network of establishments for testing solutions serving people with disabilities.
• CNAV Ile-de-France (L'Assurance Retraite)keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst retirement insurer in France managing base retirement for private sector employees. Partners on event cycles and innovation projects serving retirees and healthy aging. Contributes to Bien vieillir program through detection of relevant projects and territorial facilitation.
• WavestonesupportingTechnology or IntegrationFrench consulting firm specialized in organizational transformation. Provided two consultants through skills sponsorship to support 21's innovation strategy and gain knowledge about social economy sector.
• AG2R La MondialekeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial protection group contributing to Programme 21H for disability innovation. Provides expertise and potentially funding for solutions addressing disability and social vulnerability.
• Groupe AgricakeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgricultural social protection group participating in Programme 21H. Contributes to innovation for disability and aging populations through the program's testing and acceleration framework.
• Malakoff HumaniskeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial protection organization participating in Programme 21H disability innovation program. Contributes expertise and resources to accelerate solutions for people with disabilities.
• KlesiasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial protection group participating in Programme 21H for disability innovation. Contributes to the alliance of partners working on solutions for disability and employment.
• ApicilsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial protection organization part of Programme 21H alliance for disability innovation. Supports acceleration of solutions for people with disabilities.
• HEC ParissupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrestigious business school potentially contributing expertise, events, and connections to the social innovation ecosystem.
• SchoolabsupportingTechnology or IntegrationInnovation accelerator and consulting firm specializing in collective intelligence and design thinking. May contribute methodology and expertise to acceleration programs.
• Solferino Academy (IFRC)keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerThink tank of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Supports RED Social Innovation platform and international knowledge sharing among 191 National Societies. Contributed to launching the global social innovation network.
• AshokakeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational network of social entrepreneurs. Partner in RED Social Innovation platform, contributing expertise in social entrepreneurship and connections to social innovators globally.
• CICR (Comité International de la Croix-Rouge)keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational Committee of the Red Cross. Supports RED Social Innovation platform as part of the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement, providing legitimacy and connections to humanitarian innovation worldwide.
• Simplon.cosupportingOthersNetwork of inclusive digital factories. Previously partnered to host coding school for 24 learners in vulnerable situations at 21's location, with Simplon trainees creating website for Clichés project.
• AwaykesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization contributing to 21's ecosystem of social innovation. Details of collaboration not specified in available sources.
• MakesensesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational community and accelerator for social entrepreneurs. Contributes to social innovation ecosystem and events. Associated with French Impact movement.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Emerging players

• Simplon.co: Network of inclusive digital factories training underprivileged populations in tech (also a former partner of 21). Comparable as a social-impact training/acceleration organization operating in France with similar mission-aligned funding models.
• Schoolab: Innovation accelerator and consultancy specializing in design thinking and collective intelligence (named partner of 21). Comparable in methodology and methodology-driven workshop formats, though Schoolab is more commercially oriented while 21 is mission-driven.

Direct peers

• makesense: International community and accelerator for social entrepreneurs, also a named partner of 21. Both run incubation-style programs for early-stage social ventures, organize events for impact-driven communities, and connect to the French Impact movement.
• Impact Hub Paris: Part of a global network of social-impact coworking spaces and accelerators. Overlaps with 21 on the coworking-for-social-missionaries model, event programming, and community-led GTM; both curate communities of impact entrepreneurs.
• Ticket for Change: French social-impact accelerator that supports aspiring social entrepreneurs through training, mentorship, and incubation. Directly comparable to 21's Entrepreneuriat program in target audience (mission-driven founders) and methodology (cohort-based acceleration).
• Ashoka France: Global social entrepreneur network with a major French presence. Both 21 and Ashoka identify, support, and connect social innovators; 21 is even a partner on the RED Social Innovation platform alongside Ashoka, making them complementary peers in the same beneficiary ecosystem.
• Antropia ESSEC: Social entrepreneurship incubator hosted at ESSEC business school. Functions as a similar accelerator for social ventures with cohort programs, mentorship, and connection to a parent institution (ESSEC, comparable to Croix-Rouge française/Nexem for 21).
• La Ruche (France): French network of coworking and acceleration spaces dedicated to social entrepreneurs. Comparable to 21 in combining workspace, event venues, and programming for impact-driven founders under a shared brand.

Broad incumbents

• Station F: World's largest startup campus in Paris, hosting hundreds of programs and accelerators. Comparable to 21 at the meta level (program operator within a broader hub), although 21's specialization in social innovation is more targeted than Station F's generalist scope.
• NUMA (now called Hola(numá)): European innovation accelerator and corporate venture studio with programs, events, and corporate partnerships. Comparable to 21 in running cohort-based acceleration for innovators and partnering with large enterprises (Devoteam, Wavestone work with 21 in similar fashion).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/21CroixRouge
• Facebookfacebook.com/21croixrouge
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/21-croix-rouge
• Instagraminstagram.com/21croixrouge

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 21 | Croix-Rouge française