A new Accelerator program joins Bpifrance collection of support programs for entrepreneurs. The Decarbonation Accelerator, aims at helping French SMEs and Mid-caps in their decarbonization trajectory, bringing together business and ecological transition. “For 24 months, our Accelerator will support them in implementing an ambitious strategy of viable and long-term decarbonization” said Guillaume Mortelier, Executive Director in charge of Support at Bpifrance. Following the creation of the Coq Vert, the community of entrepreneurs gathered around the theme of the environment, and its ambitions, the 15 supported companies located throughout France will take part in this selective, targeted, and personalized program, revisiting their business in the light of climate issues.

Help companies to reduce their carbon footprint

Launched by Bpifrance and ADEME, the Decarbonation Accelerator aims at assisting 15 companies wishing to adopt a low-carbon approach in the definition of their decarbonation strategy while receiving support in the early-stages of its implementation. This initiative is designed to provide concrete and operational answers to their needs while bringing together climate-friendly business leaders. « 80% of executives are convinced that climate change calls for an immediate response according to the latest study « SMEs-ETIs facing the climate emergency » by Bpifrance Le Lab. However, only 13% say they are able to significantly reduce their carbon footprint in the next 5 years” explains Guillaume Mortelier. Over the next 24 months, the managers will benefit, collectively and individually, from an intensive and customized program to accelerate their ecological transition. It also includes 30 days of individual advice from ADEME’s ACT (Assessing low carbon transition) step by step approach. This program offers a first phase of framing and diagnosis of the company’s low-carbon transition based on the Bpifrance 360° Diag and B-Corp Impact Assessment (company’s impact on its workers, community, environment and customers) elements. The managers will then continue with a module to develop the decarbonization strategy and the associated action plan, followed by a more operational slots to support its deployment.

A collective program to share best practices

At the same time, eight one-day collective training sessions, combining face-to-face and distance learning, will be offered by the engineering school Les Mines Paris Tech, as well as a customized e-learning course via the Bpifrance University platform. This cycle aims to offer company managers – and members of their management committee – a vision and sharing of best practices on key topics, such as financing decarbonization, marketing levers to capitalize on it, decarbonization of the production environment (mobility, energy efficiency, circular economy) or mega-trends. Finally, networking between the accelerated companies during the training sessions, as well as with the 1,600 Bpifrance accelerated companies, the Coq Vert community and the Excellence community (5,000 high-potential companies selected by Bpifrance) will be encouraged.

More information: https://evenements.bpifrance.fr/ami-accelerateur-decarbonation/