EuraTechnologies welcomes its largest batch of startups to date

• EuraTechnologies' largest class: nearly 140 projects and startups from 28 countries 
• A new vertical inaugurated: EdTech and HRTech 
• Three emerging trends seen by Matthieu Barlet, Director of Programs France 

October is a month of crossroads in the atrium of Le Blan Lafont, the former spinning mill and headquarters of Lille based EuraTechnologies, one of the largest startup incubators and accelerators in Europe. As graduating startups were gathering for the investment and deployment committees on October 3rd, the 140 new projects (out of more than 400 pre-selected and interviewed profiles) joined the incubation and acceleration programs, running through March 2023.  

With more than 30% international project leaders, more than 35% women founders and with nearly a third in  impact projects, this class reflects the incubator's ambition to become more international, to highlight more projects led by women and to support future providers of concrete solutions to minimize impact on the environment. 

"This batch, surely the most important for EuraTechnologies since its creation, illustrates in many ways our new strategy, only a few months after the announcement of our fundraising," explains Koussée Vaneecke, President of EuraTechnologies' Management Board. 

"It is more international than ever, with entrepreneurs from 28 countries, from the USA, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and closer ecosystems, the UK, Estonia and Morocco. This class is also more inclusive. We are proud to see that women who have projects see EuraTechnologies as a favorable ecosystem for their development," says Koussée Vaneecke.  

In line with its mission to support changes in society, EuraTechnologies is opening a seventh vertical dedicated to education and human resources this fall. 

The Ed and HR Tech incubator is located in Lille, France's second largest student metropolis, and the first class is hosting around 20 projects. 

"One of the impacts of the recent health crisis is the rise of training and human resources management issues. AI, data, blockchain and immersive technologies are all opportunities for startups to offer new experiences to their users - from students to teachers to companies - and to respond to new issues arising from changes in our society," explains Matthieu Barlet, Director of Programs, France. 

The 1st Ed/HRTech class of EuraTechnologies in a few figures: 

• 2/3 of projects in EdTech and 1/3 in HRTech 
• 50/50 France and International 
• 1/3 women founders 
• 90% incubation and 10% acceleration 

"We are seeing an acceleration in three major trends among the projects we support. 

First of all, the issues of energy, decarbonization, resource management and reuse have become even more present in our batches since the beginning of the year. From the use of coral to restore marine ecosystems, to offering solutions with carbon credits, to the management of copper in electrical networks, sustainability is something that concerns all our verticals. 

Consumer empowerment and proximity are also two elements that often come up among our project leaders and startups, both on B2B and B2C channels. For example: giving power back to consumers, offering training or facilitating access to services through local networks. 

Finally, Web3 continues to grow. Technologies based on blockchain, the metaverse and NFTs appear as opportunities for development and acceleration that startup founders are starting to study closely."