Graines de Boss, the prestigious entrepreneurship competition established in France in 2004, has expanded its reach to Belgium and Spain, opening new horizons for entrepreneurial minds in these countries. These nations were selected due to their close commercial ties with France, with a long-term vision of extending the competition to other European countries. GDB LINK, the global arm of Graines de Boss, was created to foster local economic development outside of France’s borders, with a focus on urban revitalization, environmental services and sustainability, particularly in areas such as water and wastewater treatment.
Veolia, a global leader in ecological transformation and a long-standing partner of Graines de Boss, has been instrumental in this expansion. The company has historically been closely linked with Graines de Boss and is actively participating in its international growth, particularly to engage with European start-ups in the field of environmental solutions and services. Reflecting its core mission and values, the company’s executives have served as mentors and jury members, as well as providing financing for winning projects through GDB Capital. Veolia Water Technologies group is now sponsoring the competition’s growth through GDB LINK. This partnership exemplifies Veolia’s dedication to nurturing entrepreneurship both in France and internationally, and to support start-ups with high potential for positive environmental impact.
The Belgian and Spanish contests, launched in October 2024 during an event at the French Ministry of Economy in Paris, are now accepting applications. The two winning start-ups, one from each country, will have the extraordinary opportunity to pitch their ideas in Paris on 24 June 2025, before an audience of over 200 mentors comprising top-level managers from leading French corporations. This event aims to facilitate commercial contracts between these international start-ups and French companies, thereby strengthening European entrepreneurial bonds.
Fabrice Delon, Founding CEO of Graines de Boss, shared: “We are grateful to Veolia for their crucial support in expanding our international acceleration program to include Spanish and Belgian start-ups alongside French talents. For 21 years, Graines de Boss has showcased France’s top innovations. Now, with Veolia’s support, we are creating a new European dynamic, offering foreign winners the chance to pitch to top French managers. This strengthens innovation ecosystems and helps young companies establish themselves in France. Veolia’s support fosters entrepreneurship across borders, and together we are giving start-ups the means to accelerate their development and increase their European impact.”
Anne Le Guennec, Senior Executive VP for Worldwide Water Technologies at Veolia, commented: “The Graines de Boss contest perfectly aligns with Veolia’s mission to accelerate ecological transformation, and we are thrilled to sponsor its expansion to Belgium and Spain. By supporting this fertile ecosystem of innovation, we gain valuable insights into emerging solutions that address challenges in water, waste and energy management. It is time to GreenUp, and we are committed to helping start-ups with innovative ideas to scale up and speed up their development, transforming passionate concepts into impactful realities. I encourage all aspiring entrepreneurs to seize this opportunity and apply for the contest – your innovation could be the next game-changer in creating a more sustainable future for all.”
For more details and to apply for the Graines de Boss competition:
