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FFWD Normandie - Business acceleration programme
Published on 16 January 2018
France
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
FFWD Normandie program targets growing businesses willing to develop their company in Normandy regarding the strategic sectors of activity: agri-food, health and well-being, digital, energy and cosmetics.
Once the selection process made by the FFWD team, the regional investment fund Normandie Particiaptions and its co-investor Crédit Agricole propose a first seed investment up to 150 000 € to each company.
There are 2 programs, one for Start Ups and one for SMEs.
For the Start-up program, companies are challenged on their business model and growth strategy during 6 months of intensive program. There are 3 phases: Ready/ Set/Go = Back/Middle/Front.
For the SMEs program, the acceleration program lasts 12 months and is adapted to their needs and constraints. The selected SMEs will benefit from tailor-made thematic workshops to achieve their strategic goals.
FFWD Normandie brings them expertise in the fields of governance, development, operational strategy, digital transformation and human resources. Dedicated mentors and experts will support the companies during their acceleration.
The program is open to French and international companies.
Once the selection process made by the FFWD team, the regional investment fund Normandie Particiaptions and its co-investor Crédit Agricole propose a first seed investment up to 150 000 € to each company.
There are 2 programs, one for Start Ups and one for SMEs.
For the Start-up program, companies are challenged on their business model and growth strategy during 6 months of intensive program. There are 3 phases: Ready/ Set/Go = Back/Middle/Front.
For the SMEs program, the acceleration program lasts 12 months and is adapted to their needs and constraints. The selected SMEs will benefit from tailor-made thematic workshops to achieve their strategic goals.
FFWD Normandie brings them expertise in the fields of governance, development, operational strategy, digital transformation and human resources. Dedicated mentors and experts will support the companies during their acceleration.
The program is open to French and international companies.
Expert opinion
FFWD Normandie is a great example of a publicly run accelerator. Created already in 2015, is managed by the Normandy Development Agency and works in close collaboration with Normandie Participations, the regional investment fund. Over the years the programme has adapted to the current needs of the region, most recently having a strategic focus on the agri-food sector. The programme comprises a full range of support measures for companies, including funding, mentoring and marketing to the investor community to secure long-term survival. It also highlights the benefits that can come from working simultaneously with local and foreign businesses. Its transferability is dependent on the presence of strong stakeholders and access to venture capital.
Works at
Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform
Resources needed
-100,000€ for the program (except staff costs) covering: communication, travels, exhibitions, consultancy, events
-1 manager in charge of the operational aspects
-1 project officer in charge of the coordination, link with the partners and dissemination of the program
-1 manager in charge of the operational aspects
-1 project officer in charge of the coordination, link with the partners and dissemination of the program
Evidence of success
Our parameters are the creation of added value in our territory and the number of direct/indirect employment. The results are positive and grow with the seasons. We have a business survival rate of 80% and 50% of companies receive the capital they need after 9-12 months. The French Tech Ticket is also a good proof of efficiency: 3 winning entrepreneurs decided to settle their companies in France through FFWD Normandie.
Our advantages: from 2h away of Paris, the way of life, relations with UK.
Our advantages: from 2h away of Paris, the way of life, relations with UK.
Potential for learning or transfer
The business accelerator FFWD Normandie could be interesting for other European regions because of the success it triggers, whether for the foreign businesses and for the local economy. The synergy and the cohesion between the program managers and the regional stakeholders make of FFWD Normandie a role model and this is the reason why the FFWD EUROPE project is led by AD Normandie. Season after season, FFWD Normandie is better and predicts a successful future for the entrepreneurship of SMEs in Normandy.
FFWD EUROPE is a good opportunity for the Norman accelerator to provide the European partners with the good practices identified during more than two years and allow them to be more efficient with their own business accelerator. The implementation of such a program will be optimized throughout FFWD EUROPE.
FFWD EUROPE is a good opportunity for the Norman accelerator to provide the European partners with the good practices identified during more than two years and allow them to be more efficient with their own business accelerator. The implementation of such a program will be optimized throughout FFWD EUROPE.