Unlocking industrial scale-up opportunities in France: programmes, success stories, and your roadmap to growth

A fertile ground is key to strong growth, and France offers precisely that. With deep industrial roots, world-class expertise, and a bold approach to innovation, the country stands as a key destination for industrial scale-up in Europe. Supported by progressive policies, advanced infrastructure, and a highly skilled workforce, France is ready to power the next generation of industrial success. Discover why scaling up in France is a smart strategic move, and how Business Solutions Atlantic France can support you at every step.

Why choose France for your industrial scale-up? Business landscape and competitive advantages

France is already at the forefront of the industry of the future, combining a strong industrial heritage with advanced manufacturing, digital infrastructure, and sustainability leadership. For international business decision‑makers and industrial startup founders aiming to scale up for growth in Europe, France offers a truly compelling platform. 

A strategic base in the heart of the European market

As the second‑largest economy in the European Union, France offers direct connectivity to more than 500 million consumers within the single market. Its strategic location, extensive logistics capabilities, and integrated supply‑chain networks make it an ideal hub for continental operations. 

The country hosts major ports and multimodal freight hubs and benefits from a dense road and rail network servicing both domestic and export flows. For companies scaling industrial operations, this ensures efficient material movement, reliable supplier access, and strong export potential.

Unprecedented state support for industrial growth

France’s public investment bank, Bpifrance, has launched an ambitious €35 billion strategy for 2024–2028, built around three core priorities: fostering the emergence of large-scale industrial hubs, supporting industrial start-ups as they expand and scale production, and accelerating the modernisation of small and mid-sized manufacturers.

Industrial scale‑up has become a structural priority. Under the Première Usine programme (launched as part of the France 2030 investment plan), the aim is to accelerate the industrialisation of start‑ups and SMEs by supporting the creation of pilot or production sites. 

This framework signals to companies that scale‑up for growth in France is backed by the state with concrete mechanisms of support, especially for emerging industries aligned with Industry 4.0.

A skilled workforce and advanced training ecosystem

France has a long-standing tradition of excellence in engineering, materials science, and automation, supported by world-class institutions such as Arts et Métiers, CentraleSupélec, Polytech, and INSA.

Modern universities and private engineering schools maintain a strong talent pipeline, preparing graduates to meet the challenges of tomorrow’s industry. Vocational apprenticeship schemes and targeted training initiatives further ensure that skilled specialists are available for advanced manufacturing, robotics, data‑driven production, and the green industry.

High‑performance infrastructure and energy reliability

Industrial investors in France enjoy access to over 400 mature industrial zones and business parks, offering ready-to-operate facilities with logistics, utilities, and digital connectivity in place.

One of France’s most notable advantages is energy reliability. The country generates over 94% of its electricity from low-carbon sources, thanks largely to its nuclear fleet, which supplies nearly two-thirds of national power. For manufacturers, this means stable electricity prices and a resilient energy supply—essential for high-volume, energy-intensive operations.

France’s digital infrastructure is also advancing rapidly, driven by strong national support for 5G deployment, smart factory development, and industrial data platforms, all underpinned by a robust fibre-optic backbone. As of June 2025, fibre-to-the-home coverage had reached 93% of premises across metropolitan France, ensuring high-speed connectivity for industry.

Turnkey industrial real estate

For industrial start-ups and scale-ups seeking immediate deployment, France now offers large-scale industrial sites ready for rapid commissioning. In Atlantic France, nine key sites—each over 10 hectares—have been selected to facilitate fast-track installation. All are strategically located with direct access to major roads and motorways, ensuring smooth logistics and connectivity.

Your company could take advantage of one of these sites to gain access to prime locations, industrial‑ready utilities, and a proactive state ecosystem, allowing you to focus on manufacturing, rather than site preparation.

Leadership in sustainable industry

France is actively positioning itself as a European leader in decarbonised manufacturing, circular economy practices, and smart production systems. The French state backs a wide range of initiatives aimed at accelerating the green transition across industries—supporting low-carbon factory models, energy efficiency, waste reduction, and the integration of eco-design throughout the production chain. 

Atlantic France stands out as a driving force in high-potential fields such as marine renewable energy and hydrogen, supported by cutting-edge infrastructure and flagship projects. If you are looking to align your industrial growth with sustainability, Atlantic France offers both leadership and opportunities to scale operations.

The strength of the ‘Made in France’ label in local and international markets

The ‘Made in France’ label carries strong weight both domestically and abroad. With a large domestic consumer base and a strong regional preference for French‑made goods, establishing manufacturing in France gives companies a competitive edge in the local market. 

The label also serves as a premium differentiator in export markets, signaling quality, innovation, and reliability. For industrial startup founders preparing to scale for export, the ‘Made in France’ designation enhances credibility and market positioning. Combined with access to EU markets and production infrastructure, it gives companies a dual advantage: local brand appeal and international export potential.

Inside the French industrial scale-up ecosystem: stakeholders and support programmes decoded

Industrial scale‑up in France refers to moving beyond pilot or demonstration plants towards fully‑scaled production sites featuring automated assembly lines, digital twin modelling, robotics, and sensor‑driven manufacturing. 

This phase involves navigating a complex regulatory environment that includes environmental authorisations, construction permits, and compliance with industrial safety standards. It also requires significant funding. To meet this need, the French state offers a range of public aid schemes designed to accelerate site development. Accessing these resources requires a solid understanding of application procedures, eligibility criteria, and the administrative framework.

Flagship support programmes for industrial scale-up

• Première Usine: part of the French state’s France 2030 plan, this call for projects was launched in 2022. To date, 91 projects have received €392 million in grants, mobilising nearly €5 billion in total productive investment. 

Eligibility: innovative industrial start‑ups / SMEs planning new production sites. Support: grants + repayable advances.

• The French Fab: established in 2017, this national network unites manufacturers committed to advancing smart industry. It connects industrial players through peer networks, shares benchmarks and best practices, and strengthens access to dedicated support mechanisms and financial opportunities for scaling production.
  
• The French Tech 2030 programme: targeting 125 high‑potential emerging players that respond to major societal challenges, this programme provides financial and non-financial support (mentoring).
  
• Regional incentives: many French regions, including Atlantic France, offer grants that cover a portion of equipment investments, site structuring, or logistics setup for new industrial sites. Thanks to the Business Impact Program, your international industrial scale-up can obtain up to €1M in funding.
  

Tax and legal advantages

Beyond direct funding, industrial companies can benefit from a range of support measures such as:

• R&D tax credit (Crédit d’Impôt Recherche), one of the most generous in Europe
• Accelerated depreciation regimes available for industrial investments in designated zones
• Pre-approved “ready‑to‑use” industrial sites
• Fast‑track review and simplified administrative processes

The strategic support of Business Solutions Atlantic France

Business Solutions Atlantic France is a service provided by the Atlantic France Regional Council to support international economic stakeholders. Acting as your operational partner, this local facilitator helps you at every stage of your growth journey by:

• Navigating permitting, compliance, and local bureaucracy
• Matching your project to the most suitable support programme
• Liaising with local authorities and identifying turnkey sites 
• Aligning logistics planning and workforce readiness

Thanks to this regional partner, international industrial startup founders and decision‑makers can accelerate site launches, mitigate risks, and align their projects with scale‑up timelines.

“From start-up to industrial leader”: two real-world French scale-up journeys

Hangcha x Manitou: industrial partnership and accelerated deployment

The Chinese forklift manufacturer Hangcha partnered with France’s Manitou Group to establish local production capacity and reinforce its position in the European market. With operational support from Business Solutions Atlantic France, the project secured a ready-to-use industrial site offering direct access to road infrastructure and regional supply chains. 

The Atlantic France region provided targeted investment incentives and a favourable regulatory framework, enabling a swift scale-up from planning to production. The partnership combined Manitou’s industrial expertise with Hangcha’s international growth ambitions, demonstrating how collaborative models can reduce time-to-market. 

Read the full case study

Your step-by-step roadmap: Scaling up your project in France with Business Solutions Atlantic France

Scaling up your industrial business in France requires clear planning, regulatory navigation, and access to the right networks. With our dedicated Business Impact Program, international companies benefit from hands-on support at every stage.

1. Feasibility study and industrial site targeting

The first step in any scale-up is confirming the technical and economic viability of your project. Business Solutions Atlantic France provides tailored analyses to support investment decisions, including:

• Operational cost assessments
• Logistics mapping
• Local market access and supply chain benchmarking

Once your project is validated, site selection becomes a key decision. Our team of business advisors helps you identify ready-to-use industrial sites across Atlantic France, including nine large industrial turnkey sites of over 10 hectares, prepared for immediate commissioning:

• Parcels compliant with industrial zoning
• Existing buildings and greenfield options
• Sites with full utility access and direct road links 

2. Regulatory and administrative support

Business Solutions Atlantic France helps you navigate French regulatory requirements:

• Identify necessary authorisations, such as construction permits
• Coordinate with local and regional authorities
• Structure your permitting calendar
• Prepare compliant documentation in French

3. Unlocking complementary financing tools

Beyond national funding programmes, several other financial mechanisms can support your scale-up:

• Innovation loans for prototype industrialisation or technology transfer
• State-backed guarantees to secure bank loans
• Leasing options for energy-efficient or robotic equipment
• Local tax reductions in priority industrial zones

4. Workforce planning and talent onboarding

Talent is a cornerstone of industrial success. Atlantic France boasts a robust network of engineering schools and technical training centres. With our guidance, companies can:

• Define technical roles and workforce requirements
• Connect with top universities and private schools 
• Access tailored recruitment programmes, tools, and job fairs
• Build co-branded training modules with local partners

5. Procurement strategy and local supplier networks

Embedding your business into the Atlantic France industrial ecosystem is key to long-term resilience. We will assist you in:

• Identifying qualified suppliers and subcontractors
• Facilitating B2B meetings and industrial site visits
• Engaging with innovation clusters and industrial networks in automation, machinery, and composites
• Mapping out local logistics and warehouse solutions

This proximity to a proven industrial base helps reduce supply chain risks and improve responsiveness.

6. Factory launch and ramp-up support

The final stage of your scale-up is the operational launch. We will be at your side until the site inauguration, and beyond:

• Connection with service providers (security, energy, maintenance, IT)
• Supporting initial production runs and operational validation
• Providing guidance on carbon footprint optimisation and energy sourcing
• Offering post-launch follow-up via our internationally owned companies club