Industry 4.0 Accelerator UK & Ireland
Business France are the national agency overseeing the globalisation of the French economy and the trade commission of the French Embassy in the UK & Ireland and they:
- Foster French businesses’ export growth and facilitate UK & Irish investment in France
- Help French companies to develop their brand across the Channel
- Run the VIE programme, an international talent scheme that supports French companies’ exports
France – The home of Industry 4.0, is the first of European countries for AI with a 7% implementation rate (compared with 5% European rate). Paris the number 1 AI talent hub in Europe with 80+ higher education programs in 2021. It is also the top 5 country in Europe for robotisation rate, 194 per 10 000 employees, with 7 main technologies transforming industrial production: advanced robotics, AI, additive manufacturing, cloud, cybersecurity, IoT, simulation.
What is the French Fab Accelerator Programme?
The program is dedicated to innovative and fast-growing French companies from across the industry 4.0 sector with a strong project of developing the British and Irish market. They offer a premium and intensive business support including mentorship, factories and ecosystems visits, networking, meetings with decision makers and investors.
How does it work?
- Company will apply before 31 May (selection end of May)
- Selection by a jury (composed of various institutional and private stakeholder)
- Criteria: innovation and potential of success in the region
- Virtual preparation from June until November and business trip in the United Kingdom and Ireland

Details of the programme
- June 2023: Preparation for the selection oral with a company pitch course
- 29 June 2023 : Selection panel: 5min presentation and 5min questions/answers
If selected - July to October:
- 2 one-hour sessions with sector and area specialists
- Meeting with key account buyers
- Market and competition study
- Communication coaching
- General communication campaign (press and PR)
- Communication services (audit of existing tools)
- If relevant, training and investor meetings
- Individual prospecting
- Regulatory support for export
- Legal support for setting up a business
- End of November 2023: Immersion week in the UK and Ireland
How to get involved?
Mentor French innovative companies! They are looking for UK and Irish entrepreneurs or experts in different areas with a solid experience, knowledge and expertise on a specific sector, technology, business challenge or occupation.
To be part of the Board
- Attend 3 strategic meeting during the year (4h) :
- Launch meeting (online)
- Selection meeting (online)
- French Fab night
To be a Mentor
- Attend 2 strategic meeting during the year (2h) :
- Launch meeting
- French Fab night
- Attend two session (1h each) with each relevant company between May and October
- Prepare the mentoring session, by understanding the company
It would be appreciated if you could:
- Attend a follow-up session with the mentored companies
- Introduce some French companies to your relevant network
- Write a piece of content for our social media blog and website and share our content
Contact details for the programme
United-Kingdom
Nicolas COUZI
Trade Development Advisor
Tel : +44 2081324602
Ireland
Pierre MICHAT
Trade Development Advisor
Tel : +35 312662303
France
Hubert BONNEAU
Project Manager Operational Activities
Tel : +33 1 40 73 33 76

Ileana Lupsa
Ileana Lupsa is the Programme Manager for Local Public Services and Nations and Regions, at techUK.

Matt Robinson
Matt is techUK’s Head of Nations and Regions.
techUK – Building Stronger Local Economies

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