Bordeaux Technowest supported 92 startups in 2025. Together they generated 410 jobs and raised €62 million (source: Bordeaux Technowest's 2025 results in Échos Judiciaires Girondins). The metropolitan technopole is the best-known organization in a network of about ten. That network includes public incubators (Technowest, Unitec, Chrysa-link, Bordeaux INPulse), school-based and private incubators (KEDGE Entrepreneurship, Bernard Magrez Start-Up Win, La Ruche, Darwin), and corporate and regional programs (Village by CA Aquitaine, ADI Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Pulseo). This guide compares them on who they serve, entry stage, duration, equity and how to apply.
The Bordeaux startup ecosystem in 2026
Bordeaux stands out among France's regional cities. It has a dense entrepreneurial base, office rents below Paris levels, and a support network that covers every stage, from first idea to fundraising.
Bordeaux, the innovation hub of Nouvelle-Aquitaine (key figures)
Four figures give a sense of the Bordeaux market:
- 92 startups supported by Bordeaux Technowest in 2025, including 30 new entrants. Together they posted €15 million in combined revenue and raised €62 million (source: Échos Judiciaires Girondins, 2026).
- 265 startups supported by Technowest since 2004, across 10 incubation sites in the Gironde (source: technowest.com / French Tech Bordeaux).
- 4,221 jobs created by startups that went through Unitec, the university technopole, with an 86% five-year survival rate (source: AEF Info, 2024).
- 1,200 jobs generated by the Darwin site, housed in the former Niel barracks, now converted into a hub for the creative and social economy (source: Échos Judiciaires Girondins).
Unitec's website also reports 756 startups supported, which raised €200 million over three years.
The leading sectors are digital, greentech, agritech, maritime and aerospace. Office rents are lower than in Paris, regional funding is within reach (ADI Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Bpifrance), and the network is mid-sized, so the support organizations all know one another.
French Tech Bordeaux and the local entrepreneurial network
French Tech Bordeaux connects local startups with national and international networks, runs community events and publishes an annual Guide to support organizations (the 2025 edition is online). Its S'orienter section on French Tech Bordeaux lists incubators, workshops and orientation sessions.
Three other organizations round out the system:
- ADI Nouvelle-Aquitaine: the Region's development and innovation agency. It offers direct grants to innovative startups, including the Aide Accélération Start-Up for young companies in their growth phase.
- Unitec: the university technopole that supports innovative projects coming out of research. It has helped create 322 companies, with an 86% five-year survival rate (source: AEF Info, 2024).
- UBee Lab: the University of Bordeaux incubator, supporting 197 student entrepreneurs in the 2025-2026 academic year (source: UBee Lab).
In 2025, European buyers acquired several Bordeaux startups, a sign that companies founded locally are reaching a size that attracts these acquirers (source: La Tribune, 2025).
Public and institutional incubators
Public organizations are the backbone of startup support in Bordeaux. They run long programs, often subsidized, with deep local roots.
Bordeaux Technowest (10 sites, 92 startups, 410 jobs)
Bordeaux Technowest is the metropolitan technopole. Founded in 2004, it supports innovative startups from idea to scale-up across 10 incubation sites in the Gironde. Its 2025 results: 92 startups supported, 30 of them new; 410 jobs generated, including 150 permanent positions created during the year; €15 million in combined revenue; €62 million raised; and more than 500 jobs generated since 2021 (source: Échos Judiciaires Girondins, 2026).
Three in-house programs complement incubation. Techno'Start is a seed fund that takes equity stakes, with €1.4 million invested across 19 startups to date. B'INC provides honor loans and grants to founders (€140,900 in loans and €85,400 in grants to date). Jonction, an open innovation program pairing startups with large industrial groups, has generated €4.8 million in revenue between startups and partners since 2018.
In November 2025, Technowest opened Bordeaux Technoports, France's first incubator dedicated to maritime and port challenges, in partnership with the Grand Port Maritime de Bordeaux. About a dozen startups work out of renovated houses in the Bacalan district (source: bordeaux-port.fr / Aquitaine Online).
Technowest takes tech startups from every sector, with strong verticals in maritime, aerospace and cleantech. You apply through technowest.com and through regular calls for projects (Innogaronne, COBAS, ESS Tech).
Chrysa-link / Aquitaine Science Transfert (deeptech, public research)
Chrysa-link is the deeptech incubator of SATT Aquitaine Science Transfert, the regional tech transfer company. It targets projects built on breakthrough technologies from public research in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, and only admits founders with a link to a laboratory, either as founders or as partners. Support follows a lean startup method covering market validation, intellectual property, legal, business model and funding, with access to the SATT's expertise in research commercialization and technology transfer. Chrysa-link is an official partner of French Tech Bordeaux. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis at ast-innovations.com.
Unitec (university, innovative projects)
Unitec is Bordeaux's university technopole. Since its founding, it has supported 322 companies, which have generated 4,221 jobs, with an 86% five-year survival rate (source: AEF Info, 2024). It focuses on innovative projects that come out of Bordeaux's universities or have strong technological content, and covers technology validation, business model work and access to early funding. To get in, you need a university connection or a high level of technological innovation.
Unitec takes no equity. Its track covers incubation, post-incubation hosting and acceleration, with themed incubators, and it has supported 109 winners of the i-Lab competition. Unitec is backed by the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region, Bordeaux Métropole and the European Union through the ERDF.
Bordeaux INPulse (Bordeaux INP's student incubator)
Bordeaux INPulse is the student incubator of Bordeaux INP, open to students at the group's 9 engineering schools in Nouvelle-Aquitaine. Student entrepreneurs get a dedicated coworking space, follow-up from a program officer, seminars and access to the Statut National Étudiant Entrepreneur (France's national student-entrepreneur status). You can go further by doing your internship at the incubator, taking a gap year to build your company, and keeping access to its services in your fourth year through the "Passeport pour entreprendre" university diploma. The team can be reached at [email protected].
School-based and private incubators
Private and business-school incubators complement the public offer with shorter programs that tend to focus on the market and fast growth.
KEDGE Entrepreneurship (a top French school for founders)
KEDGE Business School regularly ranks among France's best schools for entrepreneurship in specialist rankings. Its KEDGE Entrepreneurship unit runs three structured programs:
- Business Creator (pre-incubation, 6 months): from idea to MVP, in six steps: self-assessment, need validation, prototyping, business model and impact, branding, pitch.
- Business Nursery (incubation, 6 months, renewable): structuring the business and landing the first customers. Designed for startups with a first MVP.
- Business Accelerator (acceleration, 12 months): for startups with a full team, a product on the market and growing KPIs (revenue, MRR, ARR or proven traction). A tech or industry-expert profile on the team is required.
KEDGE brings a network of more than 70,000 alumni and access to the school's teaching resources (source: French Tech Bordeaux). All three programs are open to students, alumni and outside founders, from idea to scale-up.
Bernard Magrez Start-Up Win (wine, beer and spirits)
Bernard Magrez Start-Up Win describes itself as the first startup incubator dedicated to wine, beer and spirits, with sites in Bordeaux and Alsace. It offers two programs, both on an annual membership running January to December:
- PRIMEURS (young startups with a project): joint support with Unitec. Applications are due by September 30, and the selection jury meets once a year in October. More than 40 startups have gone through it in six years.
- MILLÉSIMES (acceleration): open to any wine, beer, spirits or wine tourism startup, with entry possible at any time of year. More than 50 startups have gone through it in four years.
Startups can register their address at the Institut Culturel Bernard Magrez and test their products with the Maison Bernard Magrez teams, for example at Château Pape Clément. Both programs require applicants to be at least 18. The website does not publish the membership fee or mention any equity stake, so ask before you apply.
La Ruche Bordeaux (free support, subject to eligibility)
La Ruche Bordeaux combines an incubator with the Carrefour de l'entrepreneuriat Bordeaux Métropole in a 270 m² space in the Saint-Michel Capucins district. Its programs run from 3 to 12 months, in person and remotely, and are free for those who meet the eligibility criteria. La Ruche also runs Les Audacieuses Nouvelle-Aquitaine, whose 11th edition includes 12 projects, and a free bootcamp for launching a business or nonprofit. It suits people with an idea and early-stage impact projects, and mentions no equity stake.
1Kubator Bordeaux (no new incubations since 2023)
1Kubator ran incubators in 10 French cities, including Bordeaux, from 2016 to 2023. The network supported nearly 2,000 founders and funded close to 300 startups at launch. According to the official 1Kubator website, it has not incubated new projects since 2023 and now focuses on its portfolio. If you run an early-stage tech startup, look at Technowest, Unitec or KEDGE Business Nursery instead.
Darwin (impact, circular economy)
Darwin works as a place more than as an incubator. Located in the former Niel barracks on the right bank of the Garonne, it brings together 230 companies across 5,500 m², accounting for 1,200 jobs and an estimated €150 million in economic impact on the metro area (source: Échos Judiciaires Girondins / Vertigo Lab).
The site combines coworking, a green-economy business incubator run by the City of Bordeaux, shared workshops, an organic restaurant and a skatepark. Darwin sources 83% of its purchases locally and has funded more than 115,000 nights of emergency housing. It offers no formal program and takes no equity. Founders working in impact, the circular economy, the social and solidarity economy (ESS) or creative fields come for the space itself, and for daily contact with the other residents.
Accelerators and corporate programs
Corporate programs open doors to large companies' markets, something general-purpose incubators cannot replicate.
Village by CA Aquitaine (24 months, corporate post-incubation)
Le Village by CA Aquitaine is Crédit Agricole Aquitaine's innovation accelerator. Housed in 1,000 m² in central Bordeaux, it hosts 20 to 30 startups in their acceleration phase for a 24-month program. Residents get access to the Crédit Agricole network (SMEs, mid-caps and large corporates that bank with it), 11 themed workshop tracks, introductions to local companies and innovation events.
The Village brings startups and traditional businesses together: startups find their first corporate customers, and established companies discover new solutions. The national Village by CA network replicates this model in several regions. The program targets post-MVP startups with a sellable product that want corporate customers and access to the B2B market. Village by CA Aquitaine has been connecting startups and partner companies since 2014. For its 2026 cohort, it selected 13 startups out of 35 applicants (source: French Tech Bordeaux).
ADI Nouvelle-Aquitaine (regional grants, startup acceleration)
ADI Nouvelle-Aquitaine (Agence de Développement et d'Innovation) is the regional agency that funds innovation. It offers the Aide Accélération Start-Up, a scheme for young innovative companies in their growth phase: grants for commercial development and organizational structuring, support for hiring key profiles, and guidance toward national and European funding. It is open to innovative startups based in Nouvelle-Aquitaine.
Pulseo (cleantech, energy transition)
Pulseo is Bordeaux Technowest's cleantech hub, based at its Bègles site. It supports startups working on decarbonization, water management, bio-based materials and energy efficiency, and connects them with industrial buyers in the sector and with energy transition networks across Nouvelle-Aquitaine. It targets startups in cleantech, the circular economy and the energy transition.
How to choose an incubator in Bordeaux
Selection criteria (sector, stage, duration, equity)
Looking for an incubator? Start with three questions:
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What stage are you at? An idea (KEDGE Business Creator, UBee Lab, Bordeaux INPulse, La Ruche), an MVP (Technowest, Unitec, KEDGE Business Nursery, the PRIMEURS program), or a product that generates revenue (Village by CA, KEDGE Business Accelerator, the MILLÉSIMES program).
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Which sector? Deeptech from research (Chrysa-link), maritime and ports (Technoports), cleantech (Pulseo), wine, beer and spirits (Bernard Magrez Start-Up Win), impact and ESS (Darwin, La Ruche), digital and tech (Technowest, Unitec).
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Are you willing to give up equity? Techno'Start, Technowest's seed fund, takes equity stakes. Unitec states that it takes no equity, and KEDGE does not ask for any. Chrysa-link provides €20,000 and AST describes itself as the startup's "first investor", so ask about the terms of that funding before you sign.
Remote support like swanbase's can be combined with local incubation, and you can apply from Bordeaux.
Bordeaux programs at a glance
| Organization | Entry stage | Equity | Key facts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bordeaux Technowest | idea to growth | no, except Techno'Start (seed fund) | 10 sites, 92 startups supported in 2025 |
| Unitec | innovative project with a university or technology link | no | 756 startups supported, 109 i-Lab winners |
| KEDGE Entrepreneurship | idea, MVP or growth | no | 6 to 12 months, 70,000-strong alumni network |
| Chrysa-link | project from public research | €20,000 provided by AST, ask about terms | 18 to 21 months before incorporation, rolling applications |
| Bordeaux INPulse | student at one of the 9 Bordeaux INP schools | not mentioned | coworking, Statut National Étudiant Entrepreneur |
| Bernard Magrez Start-Up Win | wine, beer or spirits project or startup | not mentioned, annual membership with unpublished fee | PRIMEURS: apply by September 30; MILLÉSIMES: join at any time |
| La Ruche Bordeaux | idea or early stage | not mentioned | 3 to 12 months, free subject to eligibility |
| Village by CA Aquitaine | post-MVP | no | 24 months, 13 startups selected out of 35 in 2026 |
| Darwin | all stages | no | a space with no program, 230 resident companies |
Preparing your application
Four tips for your application:
- Explain your market before your technology. Selection committees want to know who pays, how much and why.
- Show traction, however small. Letters of intent, beta testers, first revenue. A startup that has already talked to 50 prospects stands a better chance than one with a 40-page business plan.
- Know the organization you are applying to. Technowest and KEDGE use different criteria, so tailor your pitch to the program.
- Prepare for the tough questions. Why you, why now, and what advantage a competitor would struggle to copy.
Then note each organization's calendar, since the application routes differ:
- Technowest takes applications through a form on technowest.com and runs regular calls for projects.
- Chrysa-link reviews applications on a rolling basis, provided you have a strong link with a public research lab in Aquitaine.
- Bernard Magrez Start-Up Win expects PRIMEURS applications by September 30, convenes its jury in October and starts the cohort in January. The MILLÉSIMES program accepts applications year-round, after which the team arranges a visit.
- Village by CA Aquitaine selects by cohort: 13 startups out of 35 applicants for 2026.
FAQ
What are the best incubators in Bordeaux?
The best incubator in Bordeaux depends on your stage and sector. For general support, Bordeaux Technowest (92 startups supported in 2025, 10 sites) is the benchmark. For deeptech, Chrysa-link (SATT Aquitaine) targets projects that come out of research. KEDGE Entrepreneurship offers three program levels (pre-incubation, incubation, acceleration). For impact and the social economy, Darwin hosts 230 resident companies in the former Niel barracks.
How do I get into an incubator in Bordeaux?
Bordeaux incubators admit startups by application, either through calls for projects (Technowest runs several a year) or on a rolling basis (Chrysa-link, KEDGE). Prepare a clear pitch that demonstrates your market, your traction (even early) and your team. Selection committees assess the project's viability, its innovation potential and the team's ability to execute.
How can I get support to launch a startup in Bordeaux?
Bordeaux offers a complete support pathway: UBee Lab and KEDGE Business Creator for ideation, Technowest and KEDGE Business Nursery for structuring, and Village by CA and Bernard Magrez Start-Up Win's MILLÉSIMES program for acceleration. French Tech Bordeaux publishes an annual guide that maps every support organization. ADI Nouvelle-Aquitaine adds regional financial aid.
What is the difference between an incubator and an accelerator?
An incubator supports startups in their early phases (idea, MVP, first customers) over a longer period (6 to 18 months), often without taking equity. An accelerator targets more mature startups (product on the market, traction) for fast growth over a shorter period (3 to 12 months), sometimes in exchange for equity. In Bordeaux, KEDGE illustrates the distinction with its three programs: Business Creator (pre-incubation), Business Nursery (incubation) and Business Accelerator (acceleration).
What is the largest incubator in France?
Station F in Paris bills itself as the world's largest startup campus, with 34,000 m² and more than 30 partner programs (see our guide to Paris incubators). In Bordeaux, Unitec describes itself as the region's leading support organization, with 756 startups supported, and Technowest operates 10 sites across the Gironde.
What does an incubator do?
An incubator helps a founder turn an idea or prototype into a structured company, with a method, one-on-one follow-up and introductions to funders. In Bordeaux, for example, Chrysa-link supports the creation of a deeptech startup over 18 to 21 months, with 7 mandatory modules ranging from lean startup to fundraising.
How do I find an incubator?
Start from your stage and sector, then check French Tech Bordeaux's S'orienter section. Next, verify each organization's calendar, duration, cost and equity terms on its website. For example, Bernard Magrez Start-Up Win closes PRIMEURS applications on September 30 ahead of an October jury.
Further reading
- Guide to incubators and accelerators in France
- How to choose a startup accelerator
- Incubators and accelerators in Paris
- Incubators and accelerators in Toulouse
- Incubators and accelerators in Nantes
