EN 
FR Launch & grow your startup in France with Tarmac
Tarmac is a solutions incubator that supports tech entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey, helping them get off to a strong start and accelerate their growth
You are an international founder looking to create or grow an innovative startup in France ?
Tarmac helps international entrepreneurs turn their French Tech Visa project into a concrete business launch, with a hands-on soft landing programme in Grenoble Alpes.
As a French Tech Visa labelled incubator in Grenoble, Tarmac supports founders with strategy, financing, business development, local connections, office space and operational guidance through the Take-Off programme.
What is the French Tech Visa for Founders ?
The French Tech Visa for Founders is designed for non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss international founders who want to create or develop an innovative startup in France. It can lead to the “Talent – Porteur de projet économique innovant” status, allowing founders to settle in France and develop their entrepreneurial activity.
- The residence permit can be issued for up to 4 years and is renewable, depending on the project.
- The innovative nature of the project must be officially recognised by the French authorities.
- Founders must demonstrate sufficient means of subsistence according to the threshold indicated by Business France.
The founder’s spouse and minor children may benefit from accompanying family provisions.
Who can apply French tech visa ?
Founder profile
International founder outside the European Union, European Economic Area and Switzerland.
Project type
Innovative economic project to be developed in France.
Innovation recognition
The project must be recognised as innovative by the relevant French authority after the dedicated procedure.
Support route
The founder can be selected by a French Tech partner incubator or accelerator, supported by a French Tech Capital, or obtain support letters from recognised ecosystem actors.
Resources
The founder must demonstrate sufficient means of existence, according to the threshold indicated by Business France.
Important note
Tarmac can support the entrepreneurial and ecosystem part of the journey, but administrative decisions remain under the authority of the competent French institutions.
Build your European base in a deeptech and industrial innovation ecosystem
You may have four major reasons to come :
- Grenoble Alpes offers a dense innovation environment combining research, industry, startups, tech companies and public innovation actors.
- The Tarmac is located in Inovallée, a historic technology park connected to companies, experts, laboratories and local partners.
- The local ecosystem is particularly relevant for tech, deeptech, greentech, medtech, AI, hardware and industrial projects.
- For international founders, Grenoble is not only a place to incorporate a company; it is a place to connect with the people who can accelerate market entr
Why Tarmac will the best place for you ?
French Tech Visa labelled incubator
Tarmac is identified internally as labellised French Tech Visa and positioned as the French Tech Visa entry point in Grenoble.
International experience
17 international projects hosted, 20 international startups in soft landing, 5 international startup delegations per year, and 3 to 5 international startups incubated each year.
Only Grenoble French Tech Visa incubator
Tarmac is the only Grenoble incubator labelled French Tech Visa.
Hands-on support
Tarmac combines strategy, financing, sales, business development, communication, workspace and ecosystem connections.
Take-Off programme
International founders are oriented toward Take-Off to maximize chances of success.
French Tech and Invest in Grenoble partnerships
Tarmac has a history of international soft landing initiatives with French Tech and Invest in Grenoble Alpes.
Not just a visa : a business launch program
Obtaining a visa is only one part of the journey. International founders also need to understand the French market, adapt their business model, build local credibility, access the right partners and secure their first operational decisions. That is why Tarmac applies its Take-Off programme to international founders supported through the French Tech Visa route.
360° business diagnostic
Understand your project maturity, French market entry challenges and immediate priorities.
Business model and strategy
Adapt the value proposition, positioning, business plan and go-to-market assumptions to France and Europe.
Financing and investor readiness
Work on financial planning, financing strategy, pitch deck and investor discussions.
Sales and market access
Structuring first commercial actions, prospecting, ecosystem introductions and local references.
Operational setup
Support on local connections, office space, services, partners and day-to-day questions.
Network and credibility
Connections with experts, founders, finance actors, clusters, corporates and public innovation stakeholders.
Application journey with Tarmac
1# First eligibility check
2# Incubator selection or support route
3# Innovation recognition procedure
4# Visa or residence permit application
5# Soft landing with Take-Off
6# Ecosystem integration
International delegations and soft landing ecosystem
Tarmac regularly receives international startup delegations through partnerships with French Tech and Invest in Grenoble Alpes (5 international startup delegations per year).
The program can be framed as a soft landing gateway : discover the ecosystem, test business opportunities, meet experts and build a France go-to-market strategy.
Success stories
FAQ :
It is a simplified route for non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss international founders who want to create or develop an innovative startup in France and apply for the “Talent – Porteur de projet économique innovant” status.
International founders outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland with an innovative economic project to develop in France may be concerned, subject to official eligibility and administrative validation.
Business France indicates that the residence permit can be issued for up to 4 years and is renewable, depending on the project and the decision of the authorities.
No. Tarmac can support the entrepreneurial and incubation route. The official visa or residence permit decision is made by the competent French authorities.
Grenoble Alpes combines research, industry, deeptech, cleantech, AI, hardware, medtech and a dense network of companies, experts and innovation partners.
Tarmac can support founders through Take-Off: business model, financing, sales, go-to-market, local network, office space, ecosystem connections and operational guidance.
Yes, the recommended route is Take-Off because international founders need a hands-on soft landing and operational support to adapt their project to the French and European market.
Business France indicates that the spouse and minor children of the holder of the Talent status may benefit from accompanying family provisions.
Tarmac can assess whether the project fits its support approach, clarify next steps, and if relevant orient the founder toward the official French Tech Visa and innovation recognition procedures.
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