What Fondation C.génial does

Fondation CGénial is a French non-profit foundation recognized as being of public utility (reconnue d'utilité publique), founded in 2006 by six major industrial companies (Areva, Fondation EADS/Airbus, France Telecom-Orange, Schlumberger, SNCF, Technip) alongside the French Ministry of Research. Its mission is to bridge French schools and industry by promoting scientific and technical careers among middle and high school students (collège and lycée, ages 11-18), including overseas territories and French schools abroad. The foundation operates under an official accord-cadre with the French Ministry of National Education and is coordinated across all French academies through regional delegates.

The foundation's operational backbone is CGénial Connect, a digital platform launched in 2019 that matches schools with companies, manages engineer and technician interventions in classrooms, coordinates teacher visits to industrial sites, and (since April 2025) facilitates internship placements for 3e and 2nde students. Around this platform sit ten distinct programs: Ingénieurs et techniciens dans les classes (in-classroom professional interventions), Concours CGénial (annual national science competition co-organized with Sciences à l'École), Professeurs en entreprise (teacher industry visits), Mercredis Géniaux (monthly virtual career conferences), Yes We Code! (digital science kits in partnership with Vittascience), P-Tech, La Semaine des métiers (annual career week), Les Ateliers Mix'I.T (gender diversity workshops launched 2024), Les Stages avec CGénial, and CGénial TV.

Revenue flows entirely from non-commercial sources: corporate partnerships in three tiers (Partenaires GÉNIALISSIMES, Grands Mécènes, Mécènes), individual donations via HelloAsso, and allocations from the apprenticeship tax (taxe d'apprentissage) routed through the SOLTÉA platform operated by Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations. The foundation operates from two Paris offices under the direction of Hélène Chahine (Déléguée générale), with a small core team supported by regional delegates and volunteers. It reached approximately 241,914-250,000 students in the 2024-2025 school year against a stated 2030 target of 200,000 students per year and a cumulative one million students sensitized.

Name

Fondation C.génial

Legal name

FONDATION CGENIAL

Website

https://www.cgenial.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

French public-utility non-profit foundation that bridges schools and industry to promote STEM careers among middle and high school students, operating the CGénial Connect platform and ten outreach programs with 376+ corporate partners and reaching approximately 250,000 students annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

STEM Education and Workforce Outreach Services

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)

akta.pro primary industry

Hands-on Science Exploration & Experiments (Lab Kits, Science Clubs) (EDAMABAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Online/Hybrid Lifelong Learning Platforms & Open Enrollment Programs (EDAAAEAL)

Keywords

• STEM education programs
• School-business partnerships
• Science outreach initiatives
• Corporate volunteering programs
• Digital literacy education

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Sponsorship: Companies provide financial support through donations and sponsorship packages. Three levels of partnership: Partenaires GéNIALISSIMES (founding partners supporting all activities), Grands Mécènes (supporting at least 2 actions), and Mécènes (supporting one action).
2. Apprentissage Tax (Apprenticeship Tax): Companies can allocate a portion of their apprenticeship tax (solde de taxe d'apprentissage) to the foundation through the SOLTéA platform managed by Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Fondation C.génial is a French non-profit foundation (recognized as being of public utility) that operates programs bridging the gap between schools and businesses to promote STEM careers among middle and high school students. Its portfolio includes the Cgénial Connect digital platform for school-company matching, the Concours Cgénial national science competition, in-classroom interventions by engineers and technicians, teacher visits to industrial sites, digital coding kits, gender-diversity workshops, and internship placement facilitation, all delivered free of charge to schools and students.

Product overview

Fondation CGénial operates as an educational foundation (not a technology company) that bridges schools and businesses to promote STEM careers among youth. The organization's core product is CGénial Connect, a digital platform managing school-business connections, registrations, and coordination. The offering portfolio includes 10 distinct action programs: Ingénieurs et Techniciens dans les Classes (in-classroom professional interventions), Concours CGénial (national science competition), Professeurs en Entreprise (company visits for teachers), Mercredis Géniaux (virtual career conferences), Yes We Code! (digital science kit program with Vittascience integration), P-Tech (technology career program), La Semaine des Métiers (annual career week), Les Ateliers Mix'I.T (gender diversity workshops), Les Stages avec CGénial (internship facilitation), and CGénial TV (video content platform). These programs work together to fulfill the foundation's mission of bringing science and business closer to students.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CGénial Connect: Digital platform for connecting schools and businesses, managing internships for 3e and 2nde students, and coordinating school-company interactions.
• Concours CGénial
• Yes We Code!
• Ingénieurs et techniciens dans les classes
• Professeurs en entreprise
• Mercredis Géniaux
• Semaine des métiers
• Ateliers Mix'I.T
• Les Stages avec CGénial
• P-Tech

Products and services

• Cgénial Connect Platform Digital platform connecting schools and businesses, enabling registration for CGénial actions, event management, speaker/intervenant matching, internship posting, and coordination between educators and industry professionals.
• Ingénieurs et Techniciens dans les Classes Action program where science, technology, and digital professionals visit classrooms to share their career paths and passion with students, helping them discover STEM career opportunities.
• Concours CGénial National scientific project competition for middle and high school students, organized in partnership with the ministerial program Sciences à l'École, rewarding creative and innovative student projects in science and technology.
• Professeurs en Entreprise Program that opens company doors to teachers, allowing them to discover production sites, innovation centers, and R&D facilities to better understand industry realities and advise students on STEM careers.
• Mercredis Géniaux Monthly virtual conferences where students interact with professionals about specific STEM themes and careers, providing orientation guidance through real-world testimonials.
• Yes We Code! Digital science awareness program providing connected object kits with programmable cards and sensors to schools, enabling students to learn coding and digital project creation, now expanded to CM1-CM2 levels.
• P-Tech Program connecting schools with technology companies to provide students with STEM skills development and industry exposure.
• La Semaine des Métiers Annual week of virtual career exploration sessions where professionals share their career paths and industry realities with students from 4th grade to senior year, covering cybersecurity, energy, cosmetics, and engineering sectors.
• Les Ateliers Mix'I.T Classroom workshops raising awareness about gender stereotypes in scientific, technical, and digital careers, encouraging girls to consider STEM fields and deconstructing persistent biases.
• Les Stages avec CGénial Program facilitating connections between companies and students for middle school (3e) and second-year high school (Seconde) internship placements, with companies posting offers on CGénial Connect.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% of engaged employees believe they contributed positively to their company's general interest mission
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 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

Integration3 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

38 partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and founding.

• John Cockerill FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 November 2025Recent partnership (2025) joining with nearly 9,000 engineers and technicians who will serve as role models in classrooms, sharing their career paths and passion with students.
• Fondation 3MsupportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024New partner for 2024-2025 school year, joining to promote sciences and technologies among students.
• Groupe EDFcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2019Energy group joined as partner and patron in 2019, supporting the science competition and company visits for teachers.
• AlbiomasupportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2019Energy company joined CGénial in 2019 to support STEM education and promote careers in the energy sector.
• Groupe ColascoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 June 2018Construction and infrastructure group signed partnership in 2018 to support Professeurs en entreprise and Ingénieurs et techniciens dans les classes actions.
• Dow FrancecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 13 February 2018American chemical company with 100+ years of experience joined in 2018 to support Ingénieurs & techniciens dans les classes and the science competition.
• Procter & Gamble (Amiens site)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2018Consumer goods multinational opens its Amiens facility to teachers as part of the Professeurs en entreprise program.
• Schlumberger (SLB)foundingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006One of 6 founding companies that created the foundation in 2006 alongside the Ministry of Research to combat youth disaffection for scientific fields. Supports the science competition and classroom interventions.
• ArevafoundingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006One of 6 founding companies that created the foundation in 2006. Through its Team Métier program, Areva enables employees to participate in CGénial actions.
• TechnipFMC (now Technip Energies)foundingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006One of 6 founding companies that created the foundation in 2006. Specializes in energy industry project management and supports the science competition with prizes.
• SNCFfoundingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006One of 6 founding companies that created the foundation in 2006. As a major transport group, contributes to showing students the diversity of careers in mobility.
• OrangefoundingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006One of 6 founding companies that created the foundation in 2006. Major French telecom operator helping inform students about innovation and digital challenges.
• Fondation AIRBUS Group (formerly EADS)foundingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006One of 6 founding companies that created the foundation in 2006. Created by EADS group, supports scientific research projects and associations.
• STMicroelectronicscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor semiconductor company partnering with CGénial since 2024 to support STEM education and promote scientific careers among youth.
• bioMérieuxcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGlobal in vitro diagnostics company committed to promoting science and technology education, awarding prizes at the science competition.
• Planète Energies (TotalEnergies Foundation)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerEducational platform about energy topics for students and teachers, offering 500+ contents in French and English. Sponsors the science competition.
• FABIXISsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeneral interest endowment fund promoting the entrepreneurial spirit and supporting entrepreneurs. Works with CGénial to foster business-scientific connections.
• ArkemacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner since 2016, supporting the promotion of scientific culture in France. Collaborates on science competitions and classroom programs.
• EDFcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor energy company joined as partner in 2019, contributing to showcasing energy sector careers and sponsoring competition prizes.
• Fondation SafrancoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAerospace group foundation joining as new partner for 2024-2025 to support STEM outreach.
• ForviasupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerAutomotive technology group joining as new partner for 2024-2025.
• France AssureurssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerInsurance federation joining as new partner for 2024-2025.
• KeolissupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerPublic transport operator joining as new partner for 2024-2025.
• MathWorkssupportingTechnology or IntegrationMathematical computing software company joining as new partner for 2024-2025.
• SpiesupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerMulti-technical services firm joining as new partner for 2024-2025.
• Syntec ÉnergiesupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerEngineering federation joining as new partner for 2024-2025.
• VittasciencecoreTechnology or IntegrationEdTech company providing innovative pedagogical tools for science teachers, offering digital platforms for programming education. CGénial's Yes We Code! program uses their online programming platform.
• Sciences à l'ÉcolecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMinistry of Education program that co-organizes the annual science competition with CGénial.
• OnisepsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational information center for orientation collaborated with CGénial on Rencontres Géniales activities for students without internship placements.
• Amazon (Future Engineer program)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerTechnology company hosting students for digital career days as part of the Yes We Code! program and offering workplace experience opportunities.
• Campus CybersupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCybersecurity campus partnered with CGénial for digital events and P-TECH student immersion experiences.
• CriteosupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerDigital marketing company hosting coding days and the Aujourd'hui je code program for students, particularly focusing on women in engineering.
• French Ministry of EducationfoundingStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial agreement-cadre with the Ministry enabling CGénial's programs across all French schools. Minister Blanquer expressed full support for the foundation's work.
• CNRScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational scientific research center co-leading the Année de l'Ingénierie (Year of Engineering) initiative and supporting CGénial's programs.
• Google CS Education FrancesupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerGoogle's computer science education initiative supports digital literacy programs and coding education initiatives.
• Fondation CetelemsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerFoundation focused on digital inclusion supporting CGénial's mission to promote STEM education.
• Fondation Dassault SystèmessupportingGTM or Marketing Partner3DExperience company foundation supporting science and technology education for youth.
• InfraVia Capital PartnerssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerInfrastructure investment firm supporting education and research through the Fonds InfraVia pour l'Education et la Recherche.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Universcience: French public institution grouping the Palais de la Découverte and Cité des Sciences. It is the broad incumbent in science popularization/education to French youth, with similar mission but operates as a public institution with permanent exhibits rather than classroom interventions.

Direct peers

• Sciences à l'École: Ministry of Education programme co-organizing the Concours CGénial with the foundation. It is a direct institutional peer operating in the same French secondary-school STEM ecosystem and shares the same teacher/student user base.
• Fondation La Main à la Pâte: French foundation dedicated to renewing science education in primary and secondary schools. It is the closest direct peer in mission, beneficiary population (French K-12), and operating model (teacher training, classroom resources, partnerships with research institutions).
• Junior Achievement France: French branch of Junior Achievement worldwide, bridging schools and businesses for youth employability. Comparable as a school-business bridging NGO with corporate partners, volunteer professionals, and similar STEM/careers programming.
• UPSTI (Union des Professeurs de Sciences et Techniques Industrielles): French teachers' union for industrial sciences and the originator of the #FrenchSTEM movement that CGénial collaborates with. Comparable in serving French STEM teachers and promoting technical careers to secondary-school students.
• Fondation Blaise Pascal: French foundation promoting mathematics and computer science outreach to young people. It is a peer in the STEM-outreach-for-youth category, relying on volunteer mathematicians/engineers and corporate sponsorships, with similar classroom-intervention models.

Emerging players

• Femmes & Sciences: French association promoting gender diversity in STEM careers. It overlaps with CGénial's Mix'I.T workshops on gender stereotypes and shares a similar beneficiary population (French secondary-school girls).
• Fondation Dassault Systèmes: Corporate foundation of Dassault Systèmes supporting science and technology education for youth. It is also a CGénial partner, and operates overlapping 3D/digital-education programmes in French schools.
• Engineers Without Borders (Ingénieurs Sans Frontières) France: French NGO mobilizing engineering students and professionals for educational and development projects. Comparable in mobilizing volunteer engineers for educational outreach, though focused on international development rather than K-12 career discovery.

Others

• Ashoka France: French branch of the Ashoka global network supporting social entrepreneurs and education innovators. It is an adjacent peer operating in the French education/CSR ecosystem with corporate partners, and occasionally funds STEM-education initiatives similar to CGénial's mission.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/Fond_CGenial
• Facebookfacebook.com/FondationCGenial
• LinkedInfr.linkedin.com/company/fondation-c-genial
• Instagraminstagram.com/fondation_cgenial

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

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Frequently asked questions about Fondation C.génial