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28 Apr 2023

Industry 4.0 Accelerator UK & Ireland

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).

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

[email protected]

Ireland

Pierre MICHAT

Trade Development Advisor

Tel : +35 312662303

[email protected]

France

Hubert BONNEAU

Project Manager Operational Activities

Tel : +33 1 40 73 33 76

[email protected]

Ileana Lupsa

Programme Manager, Local Public Services and Nations and Regions, techUK

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

Ileana studied electronics, telecommunications and IT as an undergraduate, followed by an MSc in engineering and project management at Coventry University.

She refined her programme management expertise through her most recent roles working in the automotive industry.

Ileana is passionate about sustainability and creating a positive impact globally through innovation.

Email:: [email protected]
Twitter:: @IleanaLupsa
Website:: www.techUK.org
LinkedIn:: www.linkedin.com/in/ileana-lupsa

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Matt Robinson

Head of Nations and Regions, techUK

Matt is techUK’s Head of Nations and Regions.

Matt is leading techUK’s work with members and stakeholders across the UK to increase the Local Digital Capital across the UK’s nation and regions, build communities and to ensure that digital technology plays a key part the post-COVID-19 levelling-up recovery.

Prior to joining techUK, Matt worked for several national education charities and membership bodies to develop their regional partnerships with schools, academy trusts, local authorities, and other stakeholders. He’s also worked with local authority leaders and other stakeholders to engage communities, work with elected members and improve public services.

He holds a BA in Politics from the University of York and an MA in International Relations from the University of Leeds. Away from work he’s a keen football fan and golfer.

If you’d like to find out more about our work in the nations and regions please get in touch with Matt:

Email:: [email protected]
Website:: techuk.org,,techuk.org,

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techUK – Building Stronger Local Economies

techUK champions the tech sector throughout the UK. We work with local authorities, devolved government, and local and national policy makers to advocate for the tech sector in strengthening economic growth and resilience. We provide opportunities for our members and local stakeholders to meet, build relationships, and collaborate to drive forward local projects. For more information or to get in touch, please visit our Nations and Regions Hub and click ‘contact us’.