- Applications are now open for the Belgian and Spanish editions of the contest with one laureate to be selected in each country.
- Winning start-ups will pitch to over 200 top-level mentors in Paris in June 2025.
- The event aims to facilitate commercial contracts between Belgian and Spanish start-ups and French companies, with a focus on driving ecological transformation and sustainable innovation across Europe.
Graines de Boss, the prestigious entrepreneurship competition established in France in 2004, has expanded its reach to Belgium and Spain, opening new horizons for entrepreneurial minds in these countries. These nations were selected due to their close commercial ties with France, with a long-term vision of extending the competition to other European countries. GDB LINK, the global arm of Graines de Boss, was created to foster local economic development outside of France’s borders, with a focus on urban revitalization, environmental services and sustainability, particularly in areas such as water and wastewater treatment.
Veolia, a global leader in ecological transformation and a long-standing partner of Graines de Boss, has been instrumental in this expansion. The company has historically been closely linked with Graines de Boss and is actively participating in its international growth, particularly to engage with European start-ups in the field of environmental solutions and services. Reflecting its core mission and values, the company’s executives have served as mentors and jury members, as well as providing financing for winning projects through GDB Capital. Veolia Water Technologies group is now sponsoring the competition’s growth through GDB LINK. This partnership exemplifies Veolia’s dedication to nurturing entrepreneurship both in France and internationally, and to support start-ups with high potential for positive environmental impact.
The Belgian and Spanish contests, launched in October 2024 during an event at the French Ministry of Economy in Paris, are now accepting applications. The two winning start-ups, one from each country, will have the extraordinary opportunity to pitch their ideas in Paris on 24 June 2025, before an audience of over 200 mentors comprising top-level managers from leading French corporations. This event aims to facilitate commercial contracts between these international start-ups and French companies, thereby strengthening European entrepreneurial bonds.
Fabrice Delon, Founding CEO of Graines de Boss, shared: “We are grateful to Veolia for their crucial support in expanding our international acceleration program to include Spanish and Belgian start-ups alongside French talents. For 21 years, Graines de Boss has showcased France's top innovations. Now, with Veolia's support, we are creating a new European dynamic, offering foreign winners the chance to pitch to top French managers. This strengthens innovation ecosystems and helps young companies establish themselves in France. Veolia's support fosters entrepreneurship across borders, and together we are giving start-ups the means to accelerate their development and increase their European impact.”
Anne Le Guennec, Senior Executive VP for Worldwide Water Technologies at Veolia, commented: "The Graines de Boss contest perfectly aligns with Veolia's mission to accelerate ecological transformation, and we are thrilled to sponsor its expansion to Belgium and Spain. By supporting this fertile ecosystem of innovation, we gain valuable insights into emerging solutions that address challenges in water, waste and energy management. It is time to GreenUp, and we are committed to helping start-ups with innovative ideas to scale up and speed up their development, transforming passionate concepts into impactful realities. I encourage all aspiring entrepreneurs to seize this opportunity and apply for the contest – your innovation could be the next game-changer in creating a more sustainable future for all."
For more details and to apply for the Graines de Boss competition:
ABOUT GRAINES DE BOSS
For over two decades, Graines de Boss has been a catalyst for innovation and growth in the French start-up ecosystem. With a network of over 1,500 mentors, including business leaders and executives from diverse sectors and companies of all sizes, the competition has made a significant impact. Since its inception in 2004, Graines de Boss has produced 228 laureates, boasting an impressive 80% business survival rate after three years. Moreover, it has facilitated over 850 million euros in investments for winning companies, cementing its position as a powerhouse in open innovation and start-up discovery for major corporations and investors alike. www.grainesdeboss.com
ABOUT VEOLIA
Veolia's ambition is to become the benchmark company for ecological transformation. With nearly 218,000 employees on five continents, the Group designs and deploys useful, practical solutions for managing water, waste and energy that help to radically change the world. Through its three complementary activities, Veolia contributes to developing access to resources, preserving available resources and renewing them. In 2023, the Veolia group served 113 million people with drinking water and 103 million with wastewater services, produced 42 terawatt-hours of energy and recovered 63 million metric tons of waste. Veolia Environnement (Paris Euronext: VIE) generated consolidated sales of €45.3 billion in 2023. www.veolia.com
CONTACTS
Graines de Boss
Fabrice Delon
Tel.+33 6 08 71 90 62
f.delon@grainesdeboss.com
Veolia Water Technologies
Belgium: Han Engelen
Tel.+32 473 521 403
han.engelen@veolia.com
Spain: Maria J. Fernandez
Tel.+34 630 88 66 73
mariaj.fernandez@veolia.com