THE ECOSYSTEM FOR A new generation OF IMPACT-DRIVEN ENTREPRENEURS.
The Bench embraces innovation in all its forms, without sector boundaries, and steps in at key moments with targeted, tailored support, turning challenges into opportunities.
Driven by this mission, The Bench supports impact-driven founders committed to environmental and social progress through three complementary pillars: The Bench Incubateur, The Bench Invest and The Bench ExecEd.
Our Know-how
DRIVING YOUR PROJECT FORWARD
THE BENCH Incubateur
From ideation to acceleration, we offer a dedicated program for every stage of your entrepreneurial journey:
- Three flagship programs: Aventurine (Pre-incubation), Amazonite (Incubation), Emeraude (Acceleration)
- Tailor-made programs structured around your individual roadmap
- A network of expert practitioners and industry mentors across nine innovation verticals
THE BENCH Invest
We connect startups and scaleups with our network of committed investors, from pre-seed to Series A.
- Tailored fundraising support
- Exclusive access to our investor community: The Bench Angels
- The Bench may also invest in startups that align with our investment thesis
THE BENCH ExecEd
We empower companies and their employees to become active drivers of their transformation
- Available as open-enrollment programs or custom company-specific formats
- Two signature programs focused on intrapreneurship
- Deep expertise in executive education, built through experience at leading institutions (INSEAD, ESSEC, École Polytechnique…)
START IN SACLAY
By supporting Start in Saclay, the association that brings together student entrepreneurs from more than 20 schools across the Paris-Saclay area, The Bench strengthens its roots at the heart of Europe’s #1 innovation ecosystem, where cutting-edge research meets entrepreneurship.
At the crossroads of public research and private R&D, Paris-Saclay brings together leading universities and grandes écoles, national research organizations, and state-of-the-art scientific research facilities.
- 21% of France’s academic research
- 15% of France’s private R&D
- 16,000 academics and 7 research institutes
LA FRENCH TECH PARIS-SACLAY
A non-profit association representing the interests of the community of startups, scaleups and “Deep Tech” project leaders across Paris-Saclay, Yvelines and Essonne, at local, national and international levels.
- 500 startups in Paris-Saclay
- 350 Deep Tech startups
- 283 French Tech Paris-Saclay members
The Bench is a partner of La French Tech Paris-Saclay. As such, the startups we support benefit from one year of complimentary membership and exclusive offers reserved for member startups.
A DRIVER OF excellence AND innovation AT THE HEART OF ESSONNE
An associate member of Université Paris-Saclay, Université Évry Paris-Saclay fully leverages its strengths at the heart of an ecosystem capable of competing with the world’s leading universities.
- 12,000 students
- 450 academics and 18 research laboratories
- 425 engineering and administrative staff
The university also leads the ambitious project of accelerating the development of a genomics industry serving people and society, together with its Évry-based partners, including Genopole, while also offering leading research and education capabilities, particularly in robotics and control engineering, applied mathematics, finance, sociology of work, contemporary history and musicology.
FNAEE
National Federation of Student Entrepreneurial Associations
FNAEE brings together student entrepreneurial associations to give them a collective voice, a shared network and a form of support that no one else offers at this level: emotional intelligence.
- 10+ associations in 6 months !
- A structured 5-month support program
- A shared network of contacts, venues and resources among member associations
- A shared digital platform to manage the organization across the network
By partnering with FNAEE, The Bench strengthens its ties with student entrepreneurship and gives members of each affiliated association the opportunity to join its ecosystem.
EF HULT PRIZE
The EF Hult Prize is the world’s largest international student social entrepreneurship competition, organized in partnership with the United Nations.
- 130+ countries represented
- 200,000+ participants each year
- $1M in funding for the winning project
This partnership with EF Hult Prize lays the foundations for a long-term collaboration between the two organizations, with the aim of strengthening the social entrepreneurship ecosystem in France and across the EU, while generating tangible benefits for student entrepreneurs from both communities.
BREIZHACKING FOR GOOD
Breizhacking for Good is the flagship annual challenge for impact-driven early-stage startups. Unique in its kind, the competition is dedicated to startups seeking to stand out not only through their technology, but also through their social and environmental commitment.
- 5 regions : Brittany, Pays de la Loire, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Île-de-France and Occitanie
- 5 themes : Social Tech, Health Tech, Food Tech, Culture Tech and Clean Tech
- 350+ participating startups since its creation
A partner of Breizhacking for Good for the third consecutive year, The Bench continues its mission of showcasing impact-driven early-stage projects and strengthens its presence across the regions.
Photo credit: @UnivEvry x Lionel Antoni
THEY leveled up WITH THE BENCH
I had the opportunity to take part in the Aventurine pre-incubation program for two and a half months. At the beginning, my idea was still quite unclear… and I came out with a real, solid project, ready to be presented. The support, the experts, and the feedback all helped me move forward much faster than I expected. Thanks to the entire team at The Bench Incubateur!
I 100% recommend it to anyone who wants to give their project a real boost.
I started with The Bench in pre-incubation, and in 2025 I moved into the incubation program. I’m very happy I continued the journey. The support has been thorough and consistent throughout the entire process. I truly feel supported, listened to, and encouraged.
It has helped me move forward with greater clarity, confidence, and peace of mind in my project.
I had the chance to meet incredibly insightful people who immediately understood my project’s needs. Their support really helped me gain confidence in its viability and reach an important milestone.
I’m leaving with a much clearer vision and a strong network.
I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to turn their idea into reality in a supportive and stimulating environment.
Outstanding support. The experts are attentive, available, and highly relevant in their feedback. I strongly recommend joining the programs offered by The Bench. Whatever the stage of your project, you will receive the right guidance and support.
AT THE heart OF THE BENCH:
EVENTS AND RESOURCES
Join our events, explore our blog, and stay connected
to The Bench ecosystem and its committed entrepreneurs.
