In January 2019, Aix-Marseille-Provence Metropolis officially launched the M accelerator, in partnership with Aix-Marseille University, the cities of Marseille and Aix-en-Provence, the Sud Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur Region, the Marseille Provence Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Secured Communicating Solutions, Mer Méditerranée, Optitec and Capénergies competitiveness clusters, and Aix-Marseille French Tech – which is housed in its premises.
- The structure? An association dedicated to start-ups and innovative companies, drawing on the strengths, talents and resources of the entire metropolitan ecosystem.
- The site? A space of more than 300 m2 where young start-ups, but also larger companies can take advantage of a complete range of services throughout their development, in close collaboration with the academic world and the region’s economic players.
The M Accelerator provides accelerated start-ups with a personalized support program combining expertise, coaching, mentoring, experimentation, networking, etc. – a customizable service that will “save time” whether to conquer new markets, finance growth or recruit talent. The work processes will be implemented in close collaboration with a network of partners, with the stated ambition of encouraging cross-fertilization with larger companies, to which the M Accelerator offers a whole set of “Open Innovation” services!
As a place for exchanges and partnerships focused on collaboration with its African and Mediterranean counterparts, the M Accelerator also offers reception and orientation services within the metropolitan ecosystem to future internationally-oriented promising start-ups.
This is a response to the expectations of developing structures, whether local or not, and, for Aix-Marseille-Provence, it is a formidable opportunity to showcase the strengths and assets of France’s largest metropolis in the race for attractiveness. The M Accelerator rests on strategic sectors for Aix-Marseille-Provence (the sea and the blue economy, creative and cultural industries, quality of life and urban planning in the Mediterranean) as well as on the territory’s geostrategic position. It thus contributes to the prestige and influence of a metropolis that has become the hub for economic development between Europe, the Mediterranean and Africa.
