5 unmissable opportunities for impact startups in Occitanie

Assistance is available, but you need to know what to do to access it.

When embarking on impact entrepreneurship, one often hears about grants, acceleration programmes, or competitions. However, these schemes are often unclear, disconnected, or poorly calibrated for start-up founders.

This resource offers you five key, actionable measures that have been tested or recommended by the start-up ecosystem in Occitanie. There is no ranking, but rather a useful overview based on your level of progress.

Objective : to save you time, speed up your procedures, and identify the support available for an impactful project.

1. Regionalised France 2030 (Region Occitanie)

Support scheme for innovative projects or projects with a regional impact. Ideal during the prototyping phase.

• Objective : To finance initial expenditure (feasibility, prototyping, structuring)
• Amount : up to 45% of eligible expenditure (capped)
• For whom : Small businesses / recent startups

View full terms and conditions

Example : A textile recycling project in Montpellier used the PASS to finance its product testing and initial communication tools.

2. French Tech Occitanie

National network serving innovative start-ups, promoting development, visibility and funding.

• Objective : To accelerate the growth of start-ups through a dynamic ecosystem, mentoring and funding opportunities.
• Support : connecting with investors, access to regional and national events, support for international development
• Special feature : strong network, facilitating collaboration between public and private actors, start-ups and large corporations

Learn more about La French Tech

Example : A deep tech start-up in Toulouse was able to raise funds thanks to the support and network of French Tech Toulouse.

3. Occitanie Innovation Contract (Region + Bpifrance)

Co-funding for technological projects with significant technological barriers or a strong R&D component.

• Amount : grant plus repayable advance
• Target audience : projects with proof of concept or identified partners
• Special feature : eligible for impact start-ups with a clear innovation approach

View details

Example : A tool for measuring CO₂ impact by sector received this funding to develop its alpha version.

4. Future Business Contract (Région Occitanie)

Strategic support for businesses seeking to invest, transform or expand within their region.

• Objective : to support structural projects for growing or changing companies (investments, recruitment, ecological transition, etc.)
• Amount : up to €200,000 in public aid (grants or repayable advances depending on the project)
• Target audience : SMEs and mid-cap companies established for more than one year, as well as post-seed stage start-ups with ambitious development plans and strong regional roots.
• Eligible project types :
  • Modernisation/transformation of production facilities
  • Strategic recruitment (new key position, R&D, development)
  • Green or digital growth
  • Relocation or diversification of business activities
• Bonus : support from an Ad’Occ advisor to put together your application and determine eligible expenses

See the full terms and conditions on the Region's website.

Example : An industrial SME in the Tarn region used the scheme to digitise part of its production process and recruit a part-time CTO.

5. Support Ad’Occ

Personalised support to structure your project and access public funding.

• Objective : To structure, inform and guide
• Target audience : any project leader wishing to set up or expand in Occitanie
• Special feature : individual meetings + links with local authorities
• Book an appointment with Ad’Occ

Example : A food cooperative received methodological support to build its funding applications.

To go further :

Do you have an impactful project in Occitanie and want to accelerate it without spreading yourself too thin ?

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