Nantes Métropole counts around twenty incubators and accelerators across the Nantes-Saint-Nazaire area, serving roughly 300 active startups and 34,500 digital jobs (sources: nantes-saintnazaire.fr, portad.fr). For an early-stage founder, the area has two distinctive traits: a greentech and impact specialty backed by dedicated programs, and real estate costs lower than in Paris and Lyon. This guide lists the startup support programs in Nantes in 2026, compares what they offer and explains how to apply.
The Nantes startup landscape in 2026
Nantes positions itself as France's hub for greentech and impact innovation, a reputation built on two decades of public investment in the ecological transition, responsible tech and the social economy.
Nantes, a hub for greentech and social innovation (key figures)
The Nantes ecosystem at a glance:
- Around twenty incubators and accelerators across the Nantes-Saint-Nazaire area (source: nantes-saintnazaire.fr).
- Roughly 300 active startups and 34,500 digital jobs in the metro area (source: portad.fr, 2025 overview).
- Atlanpole: 759 projects supported since it was founded, with an annual budget of about €3 million and 40 employees (source: Le Journal des Entreprises).
- KIVO (formerly the Centrale Nantes-Audencia incubator): strengthened in 2025 when Nantes Université joined its governance, creating a deeptech alliance unmatched elsewhere in western France (source: incubateur-kivo.fr).
- Novapuls: an accelerator-investor founded in 2018, based in Nantes and Rennes (source: novapuls.fr).
Nantes plays to its natural strengths: greentech, health, responsible tech and the creative industries. Founders who set up here are looking for a close-knit network, real estate costs below Paris and Lyon, and a quality of life that helps them get through the first bootstrapped years.
French Tech Nantes and the entrepreneurial energy of western France
French Tech Nantes brings local startups together and connects them to national and international networks. La Cantine Numérique, the flagship building of French Tech Nantes, covers 1,800 m² with 180 coworking desks in the heart of the Quartier de la Création (source: lacantine.co).
Beyond French Tech, Nantes relies on:
- Nantes Métropole Entreprises: the metro area's business support service, including the Nantes Transitions fund (launched in 2021 with Banque des Territoires) for projects with positive impact.
- PEPITE Pays de la Loire: the student-entrepreneur program, with the Spice Up competition showcasing projects from the top schools in Nantes.
- A dense academic network: Centrale Nantes, Audencia, Nantes Université, Polytech Nantes, IMT Atlantique. The path from research to entrepreneurship is short.
On the ground, the Nantes ecosystem fits into two neighborhoods: the Île de Nantes, home to La Cantine, SG Planète A and the Quartier de la Création, and the city center around Startup Palace. You run into the same decision-makers at every French Tech event, and the cost of living gives you more runway than in Paris.
Generalist and institutional incubators
Generalist programs are the gateway to the Nantes ecosystem: they welcome every sector and connect founders to local resources.
Atlanpole (Pays de la Loire incubator, multi-sector: health, AI, environment)
Atlanpole is the regional innovation hub for western France. Founded more than 30 years ago, it combines three roles: the regional incubator for public research (with multiple accreditations), the Nantes technology park, and the Grand Ouest Atlantique innovation hub that connects labs, top schools and companies (source: atlanpole.fr).
By the numbers:
- 759 projects supported since it was founded
- Annual budget: about €3 million
- 40 employees dedicated to support
- Sectors: health, AI, environment, industry, digital
Who it's for: Founders of innovative projects coming out of public research, deeptech and science-based founders. Atlanpole is the natural first stop if your startup is born in a lab at Nantes Université, Centrale Nantes or IMT Atlantique. Support covers technology maturation, business structuring and networking with the regional business community.
How to apply: Online application at atlanpole.fr. Selection favors innovation, ties to research and the potential to create value in the region.
NovaPuls (pre-accelerator then accelerator, innovative projects in western France)
NovaPuls describes itself as an accelerator-investor. Founded in Nantes in 2018, it replicated its model in Rennes in 2020 to cover western France. The program combines pre-acceleration (project validation) and acceleration (commercial development and fundraising), with one year of office space in its premises (source: novapuls.fr, Le Journal des Entreprises).
Program:
- Duration: Pre-acceleration + acceleration, one year of office space
- Model: Direct investor (takes equity)
- Audience: Innovative startups in western France, all sectors
- Support: Business development, fundraising preparation, mentoring
Who it's for: Founders who want structured support from a partner that invests. NovaPuls takes an equity stake in the startups it accelerates and earns its return from their success.
1Kubator Nantes (national network, program ended in 2023)
1Kubator was founded in Lyon in 2016 and opened branches in ten French cities, including Nantes. Its original model: €25,000 in funding in exchange for 10% equity, a 10-month incubation program and access to a national network of startups and mentors. Since 2023, the network no longer incubates new projects and focuses on its portfolio of 300 funded startups (source: 1kubator.com).
By the numbers:
- Original model: €25,000 for 10% equity, over 10 months
- Network: 10 cities in France, 300 funded startups
- Focus: digital and tech
Who it's for: Nobody at this point. If you find a page inviting you to apply to 1Kubator Nantes, it's out of date. Its former model is still a useful benchmark for evaluating similar offers elsewhere: 10% equity for €25,000.
Impact and greentech incubators
The city's greentech and impact identity shows up in dedicated support programs.
SG Planète A (Société Générale, social and environmental impact startups)
SG Planète A is Société Générale's incubator for startups with social or environmental impact. Launched on the Île de Nantes, it recruits startups that want to drive concrete change in energy, mobility, food and inclusion (source: informateurjudiciaire.fr, entreprises.nantesmetropole.fr).
Program:
- Positioning: Impact startups, backed by Société Générale
- Location: Île de Nantes
- Support: Coaching, corporate mentoring, access to the SG network
- Audience: Early-stage startups with a measurable impact model
Who it's for: Impact founders who want the backing of a major banking group while staying independent. The main benefit is direct commercial access to Société Générale's clients and partners.
Imagination Machine (impact startup studio)
Imagination Machine is an impact-focused startup studio based in Nantes. The model differs from a classic incubator: Imagination Machine co-creates the startups, bringing the idea, the early development work and the initial funding. You join as an operating cofounder.
Who it's for: Entrepreneurs who would rather join a project that's already underway than start from scratch. The startup studio suits operators (tech or business) looking for a validated idea and a structured setting.
La Cantine Numérique (coworking + support, Nantes Numérique)
La Cantine Numérique is the flagship building of French Tech Nantes: 1,800 m², 180 coworking desks, and a support program for the area's digital startups (source: lacantine.co, nantes-numerique-responsable.org).
By the numbers:
- 1,800 m² of space
- 180 workstations
- Location: heart of the Quartier de la Création, Île de Nantes
Who it's for: Digital startups that want to be at the center of the local French Tech community. La Cantine doesn't run a structured equity-based program: it's the meeting point of the Nantes French Tech scene, where you cross paths with investors, mentors and fellow founders.
Accelerators and corporate programs
Alongside public and impact programs, Nantes has corporate accelerators that bring a business network and instant credibility.
Village by CA Atlantique Vendée (24 months of support)
Village by CA Atlantique Vendée is part of the national Village by Crédit Agricole network: 37 interconnected Villages across France, 900 startups supported, 600 partner companies (source: levillagebyca-atlantiquevendee.fr).
Program:
- Duration: Up to 24 months
- Cost: Free (no equity taken)
- Support: Mentoring, introductions to partner companies in the CA network
- Audience: Innovative startups and SMEs in the region
Who it's for: B2B startups that want fast access to a network of SME and mid-market customers. Village by CA works as a commercial accelerator: you go there to land your first customers, with no direct funding and no dilution.
Startup Palace (incubator + accelerator, downtown offices)
Startup Palace is a Nantes player that has supported more than 130 startups since it was founded. Based at 4 rue Voltaire in the city center, it runs an incubation and acceleration program with investment tickets of up to €250,000 (source: ouest-france.fr).
By the numbers:
- 130+ startups supported
- Investment tickets up to €250,000
- Location: downtown Nantes (4 rue Voltaire)
Who it's for: Tech and digital startups looking for funding and hands-on support. Startup Palace combines incubation with direct investment, a model similar to NovaPuls but with a longer track record in Nantes.
KIVO (Centrale Nantes, Audencia, Nantes Université)
KIVO is the incubator born from the alliance between Centrale Nantes, Audencia and, since 2025, Nantes Université. Formerly the "Centrale-Audencia-Ensa incubator," it was renamed by the three institutions to reflect its deeptech and multidisciplinary focus (source: incubateur-kivo.fr).
By the numbers:
- 3 partner schools and universities
- Air Launch deeptech program + Accelerate generalist track
- Partner of the Concours Coup de Pouce (Fondation Le Roch-Les Mousquetaires)
- Two startups featured on M6's "Qui veut être mon associé ?" (the French Dragons' Den) in 2026
Who it's for: Students, alumni and researchers from Centrale Nantes, Audencia and Nantes Université. KIVO bridges academia and the market. If your project comes out of a research lab or a degree program at one of these three institutions, it's your first point of entry. With Nantes Université on board, you also get access to the university's labs, which widens the range of skills and technologies you can draw on.
How to apply: Regular calls for applications at incubateur-kivo.fr. A selection committee assesses motivation, innovation potential and fit with the incubator's expertise.
How to choose an incubator in Nantes
The choice comes down to three variables: your stage, your sector and what you're willing to give up.
Selection criteria (greentech and impact or generalist, stage, equity)
By stage:
- Ideation / pre-launch: NovaPuls (pre-acceleration), La Cantine Numérique (network)
- Launch / MVP: KIVO (academic deeptech), Atlanpole (public research), Startup Palace (incubation with investment)
- Growth: Startup Palace (tickets up to €250K), Village by CA (commercial network)
By sector:
- Greentech / impact: SG Planète A, Imagination Machine
- Deeptech / research: Atlanpole, KIVO
- Digital / SaaS: Startup Palace, La Cantine Numérique
- Generalist: NovaPuls, Village by CA
By cost:
- Free / no equity: Atlanpole, La Cantine Numérique, Village by CA
- Equity: NovaPuls and Startup Palace (stake not disclosed); 1Kubator took 10%, but no longer accepts projects
Side-by-side comparison of Nantes programs
| Program | Type | Cost and terms | Audience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanpole | regional public-research incubator, technology park | free, no equity taken | research spinouts, deeptech, all sectors |
| NovaPuls | accelerator-investor, Nantes and Rennes | equity stake, size not disclosed; one year of office space | innovative startups in western France |
| 1Kubator Nantes | branch of a national network | €25,000 for 10% equity, model ended in 2023 | no longer taking new projects |
| SG Planète A | Société Générale corporate incubator | terms not disclosed | startups with social or environmental impact |
| Imagination Machine | impact startup studio | cofounder stake | tech or business operators |
| Startup Palace | incubator-investor, city center | tickets up to €250,000, stake not disclosed | tech and digital startups |
| KIVO | academic deeptech incubator | terms not disclosed | students, alumni and researchers from Centrale Nantes, Audencia and Nantes Université |
| Village by CA Atlantique Vendée | Crédit Agricole corporate accelerator | free, no equity taken, up to 24 months | innovative B2B startups and SMEs |
| La Cantine Numérique | coworking space and French Tech flagship, 1,800 m² | coworking desk, no equity-based program | digital startups |
Preparing your application
Three tips to maximize your chances:
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Know your stage. Each incubator targets a specific point in the founder journey. Don't apply to Startup Palace with just an idea, and skip NovaPuls pre-acceleration if you already have €500K in ARR.
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Show traction. Selection committees want proof: early users, LOIs from potential customers, a working prototype. Even at pre-seed, show that someone wants what you're building.
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Apply to several programs. Nantes is small enough that the incubators all know each other. You can apply to two or three programs in parallel; just say so in each application.
FAQ
What are the best incubators in Nantes?
The main programs are Atlanpole (regional incubator, 759 projects supported), KIVO (deeptech, Centrale Nantes + Audencia + Nantes Université), NovaPuls (accelerator-investor, Nantes and Rennes) and Startup Palace (130+ startups, tickets up to €250K). The right choice depends on your sector and stage: Atlanpole for public research, KIVO for academic deeptech, Startup Palace for early-stage digital startups.
How do you get into an incubator in Nantes?
Most incubators in Nantes run regular calls for applications. Put together a strong application: a clearly identified problem, a differentiated solution, and early signs of traction (users, LOIs, prototype). Committees assess the founder's motivation, the innovation potential and the fit with the program's expertise.
Are there greentech incubators in Nantes?
Yes. SG Planète A (Société Générale) recruits startups with social or environmental impact on the Île de Nantes. Imagination Machine is an impact-focused startup studio. Atlanpole also supports projects tied to the environment and the ecological transition. The Nantes Transitions fund (Nantes Métropole + Banque des Territoires) finances projects with positive local impact.
What's the difference between an incubator and an accelerator?
An incubator supports projects from the ideation or launch phase: shaping the business model, building the product, landing the first customers. An accelerator comes in later, once the product already exists, to speed up commercial growth and prepare fundraising. In Nantes, Atlanpole and KIVO are incubators, while NovaPuls and Village by CA are accelerators. Startup Palace does both. To dig deeper into the distinction, see our complete guide to incubators and accelerators in France.
Further reading
- How to choose a startup accelerator
- Incubators and accelerators in Paris
- Incubators and accelerators in Bordeaux
- Incubators and accelerators in Lille
- Incubators and accelerators in Strasbourg
