The Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis organized “Back to Business” at its Innovation Hub in West Nice, this Tuesday, October 17.
New name, new identity for more ambitious goals, the CEEI (European Center for Enterprises and Innovation) is over, make way for the Innovation Hub. This rebranding is for the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis a symbol of a desire to ramp up support for entrepreneurs.
Magali Altounian, deputy mayor, delegated to finance, European institutions, and the city’s outreach, explains what is changing: “The offer is much more adapted to the needs of entrepreneurs, we have rethought the rental offer, and also a much more specific support on topics that we have deemed priority in direct connection with the territory whether it’s the blue economy, the silver economy or the CCI (cultural and creative industries, editor’s note).“
This “business accelerator” space was created 15 years ago. Its primary goal: to host high-potential companies and provide them with a range of skills so they can develop in the best conditions. This “incubator” can house up to 35 companies in its offices and workspaces.
Six new start-ups joined in September (DeePsy, Klikpay, NousWork, Royal Sitter, See onSea). On average, these structures stay three years at the Innovation Hub. Thus, a rotation occurs. Today, 25 are working there.
Customized Support
On October 17, it was “Back to Business”. 60 partners from the entrepreneurial world and 400 entrepreneurs registered to meet in this hub of the metropolitan economy. Conferences, workshops, and especially meetings were on the agenda.
“Ultimately, the goal of this day is to save time for companies, so that in the space of one day in a single place, they can meet as many people as possible who can accompany and guide them,” explains Grégory Dubois, director of economic development and employment at the NCA metropolis. A support tailored to the needs of each participant, whether financial, administrative, or informational. The idea: that everyone can be supported no matter what stage they are at between the idea and the concrete implementation of their project.
Interlocutors distributed in four zones according to their field of expertise: funding zone, impact zone for all projects with social and environmental objectives, support and innovation zone to develop the network, find a mentor, join an acceleration program or validate innovative ideas, and formalities zone to assist in administrative procedures, protect innovative ideas.
Focus on Entrepreneurship Accessibility for All
In the courtyard of the Innovation Hub, on this back-to-business day, a yellow bus attracts attention. It is the “entrepreneurship for all bus” launched by Bpifrance and implemented by the BGE in the territory, a public investment bank, the state’s arm in business financing.
“This program aims to strengthen the entrepreneurial dynamic of neighborhoods by reaching out to its residents, its entrepreneurs, who face, for example, mobility issues, or are far from support networks to offer them this space of information, orientation, and support,” explains Nacer Hessas, project coordinator in the department.
This itinerant bus tours about twenty priority neighborhoods of the city policy (QPV) in the Alpes-Maritimes and takes part in events such as this day. It is mainly for those who don’t know where to start, those who already have a creation idea, and those already in business.
The services offered help identify everyone’s needs, clarify, structure, and quantify their project so that it can be viable in the long term, provide administrative support for business creation, and direct them to the most suitable partners. The adventure started in the department at the end of 2021 and has allowed to meet over 700 entrepreneurs since the tour began in January 2022.
