Bpi france at the service of innovation

In charge of Innovation in the South-Aquitaine branch of the public investment bank (Bpifrance), Guillaume Bonnemaison assists businesses by offering them financing solutions to support their projects.

Born from the union of the Oseo group, the Fonds Stratégique d’Investissement (FSI) and CDC Entreprises, Bpifrance’s goal is to help SMEs and intermediate-sized enterprises (ETI) to develop. Except for innovation, Bpifrance never intervenes alone in supporting businesses.

Bpifrance has 48 regional branches in Metropolitan France and overseas territories. Part of the Aquitaine Regional Directorate, the Pau territorial delegation is in charge of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques and Landes departments.

“I assist businesses that have an innovative project, from start-ups to ETIs of 2,000 people. We offer them financial solutions, as well as access to funding, repayable advances at a zero rate, zero-rate loans or unsecured loans,” explains Guillaume Bonnemaison, in charge of Innovation.

Around forty innovative businesses have been supported locally in 2016, 40-50% through innovation aid (funding, RA’s, 0% loans), and 50% through unsecured loans. “Once the application is compiled, Bpifrance provides financing in 6 weeks on average. Being responsive is one of our qualities,” he adds.

Start-ups less than a year old can benefit from a French Tech bursary, from €15,000 to €30,000. “The majority of start-ups that we support are assisted by incubators or technology parks,” specifies Guillaume Bonnemaison. Many innovative projects developed at Izarbel and Technocité are currently supported by Bpifrance.

To find out more: http://www.bpifrance.fr