illustration orange journée de la femme

Providing local support network to businesswomen

“Femmes Entrepreneuses” is a start-up network for businesswomen in France. The initiative provides local and personalized support to women who have recently started a business in the tech sector.

Every year, Orange supports 100 entrepreneurs in all regions of mainland France and French overseas territories. Since 2018, more than 500 women have benefited from this program developped by the Orange Digital Center.

What does it offer participants?

Personalized mentoring and workshops
Orange experts and local partners hold online and in-person workshops to help participants develop their skills and business. They can also receive additional coaching from experienced Orange managers and potentially even senior executives. Finally, our co-development workshops enable participants to share ideas and experiences.

High-potential visibility
Participants have many opportunities to boost their visibility in the press and online. Some are also selected to join us at our high-profile sponsored events such as ChangeNow and VivaTech.

Networking help
Participants are also invited to local meetings with their regional French Tech and Tech For Good ecosystems. They are also in contact with their regional Orange departmental managers who facilitate meetings with decision-makers.

Financing
Orange Ventures experts are on hand to help participants plan and apply for funding. There are also various business angel networks which facilitate financing when it comes to accelerating early-stage innovation.

Tailor-made program
Support can be customized to meet our participants’ needs. Depending on the region, additional services may be available such as product testing in an Orange Customer Test Center, during one of our “Demo Days”, or at a local Orange shop.

Long-term support from a multinational company
As a large multinational company, Orange facilitates connections across a vast Open Innovation ecosystem, particularly via the Women Start start-up acceleration program run by Orange Fab France. This offers commercial partnership agreement and support for international development.
At the end of the support period, alumni can join our dedicated circle for ongoing business development and access to dedicated services such as masterclasses, one-off coaching, funding networks and more.

Key dates:

Applications are open:
from 3 November to 31 December 2023
Participants are selected:
January 2024
Program starts:
February 2023
Program ends:
end-October 2024

 

The winners of the sixth season:

Orange is supporting 104 new businesswomen in all regions of mainland France and French overseas territories. The candidates were selected by a jury of experts in each region based on:

  • the project’s maturity
  • the role of digital technology in the company's development
  • the founder’s vision and personality
  • the potential for an Orange regional department to offer support.
    The winners

    Follow "Femmes Entrepreneuses" on social media

    LinkedIn

    Our regional contacts:

    Testimonials from participating businesswomen:

    portrait rond Laetitia Christophe

    Laetitia Christophe
    Health, Overseas departments

    “It’s inspiring to be part of a cohort of other women”

    Nathalie Alzuyeta

    Nathalie Alzuyeta
    Future workplace, Île-de-France

    “This precious support stimulated BILIV’s business development”

    portrait rond Sara Reynaud

    Sara Reynaud,
    EdTech, Gironde

    “This program really empowers female entrepreneurs”

    Victoire Baudin portrait rond

    Victoire Baudin
    Environment, Nord

    “It’s a unique chance to learn and gain perspective”

    portrait rond Aurore Cottrel

    Aurore Cottrel
    Smart Agri, Calvados

    “This exceptional experience is a great boost to continue the adventure”

    portrait rond Mélanie Neveu

    Mélanie Neveu
    Digital social enterprise, Puy-de-Dôme

    “Expert support helped me with key skills”