It is a real business accelerator. The ESS² incubator — for Economy, Social, and Solidarity — in the city of Épinay-sur-Seine is looking for its second class of ambitious young entrepreneurs. Candidates must present an entrepreneurial project of at least six months and for which they believe they need a boost to bring it to life, with two privileged sectors.
“Together with the mayor Hervé Chevreau, we realized that the city needs new companies with social and environmental impact, explains Oben Ayyildiz, municipal councilor in charge of the ESS. Candidates will be subject to selection after the deadline for submitting applications, January 31, 2023, then we will support those who are selected from March to November, to help them get started. A modern coworking space of 182 m² including meeting rooms, call rooms, shared and private offices warmly awaits them. A space located on the site of the former Bannier factory.
Support for start-ups is divided into three parts. First, a strategic diagnosis is developed, in which a mapping of the company’s needs is established. Following which an expert is hired to implement the appropriate solutions. Finally, there is the connection with qualified people through networking or networking. All without any costs paid by the contractors.
The incubator opens up to culture
For this second edition, the business incubator opens applications to cultural actors. Because in Épinay, new needs for innovation have been identified with the former Éclair studios, a third place dedicated to the world of culture in the town. “Épinay is the city of cinema, underlines Oben Ayyildiz. The idea is to also open the doors of the incubator to cultural actors to respond to growing sectors in the city”.
This year, eight new entrepreneurs received personalized support from the incubator. But for the next session, depending on the quality of the projects, up to twelve could be retained.
Christophe Meyer, 35, is part of the first class to symbolically graduate on December 8th. He had applied because he wanted to join a network of entrepreneurs and be advised. “I created Ekolo. It is a delivery company for baskets from local producers, associated with a grocery store. They are distributed at a relay point and delivered to your home by bike. The incubator allowed me to meet different local actors who are in Plaine Commune and who can become partners”, he appreciates.
At his side, Benoît Cicilien, 29 years old. He is the founder of La Pintine, a company that recovers spent grains from local breweries “to transform them into an anti-waste and local flour, rich in protein, fiber and with very little gluten” and thus contribute to a more responsible diet. “I wanted to have follow-up and support for my project,” he says. The incubator’s mentorship allowed me to be supported individually by an entrepreneur. »
“And then, there were a lot of people,” continues Christophe. Often we entrepreneurs are alone with our problems. The fact of being able to exchange with people and to feel surrounded, it really helps. »
The two men’s games aimed to develop in Plaine Commune. Thanks to the incubator, Christophe has created his premises in Épinay and Benoît has all the contacts to do the same.
“We are looking for innovative personalities, emphasizes Hervé Chevreau. The project worked very well this year. This could be an example for other communities. »
Submission of applications until January 31 at the following address: https://www.epinay-sur-seine.fr/travailler/entreprises/incubateur-ess/