Next Innov 2026: Banque Populaire’s Competition for Innovative Startups and SMEs

Get your applications ready! Banque Populaire, in partnership with Maddyness, a go-to media outlet in the tech and entrepreneurial ecosystem, launched the call for entries for the Next Innov 2026 Awards on March 2.

Recognizing potential, supporting growth

For this 9^th edition, the competition once again highlights innovative French startups and SMEs, with applications open until April 10. The goal? To identify, and subsequently showcase, high-potential business projects and offer them access to an ecosystem of experts, irrespective of whether the applicants bank with Banque Populaire or not. The competition is open to companies in all sectors of activity: artificial intelligence, impact, healthcare, human resources, marketing, finance, and more.

Contributing to the economic vitality of the French regions

Through four awards and two special commendations, this competition gives concrete expression to the commitment made by Banque Populaire and its Next Innov division to support innovative startups and SMEs with a range of dedicated financing, partnerships, and advisory services, thereby contributing to the economic vitality of regional France and the country’s economic sovereignty.

Recognized as the No.1 bank for businesses for the past 16 years, Banque Populaire works every day alongside entrepreneurs for whom innovation is a key driver of growth. To speed up the development of innovative companies, whether startups or established SMEs, the Next Innov division develops customized solutions through its network of nearly 200 experts. It also offers companies the opportunity to benefit from Banque Populaire’s expertise dedicated to entrepreneurs in numerous fields, including international business, financial engineering, fundraising, and senior executive wealth management, etc.

Two new prizes for this 9^th edition

The call for applications is open until April 10, and submissions will be reviewed until May 22. Finalists will pitch their projects on June 11 to a panel of leading figures from the tech and entrepreneurial ecosystem. Last year, nearly 300 applications were submitted and reviewed in the shortlisting process. In 2026, two new prizes are being introduced: the Agir pour l’eau ! (“Acting in favor of water!”) prize will recognize projects offering concrete and sustainable solutions to the challenges of water resource management and conservation, while the Growth Prize will be awarded to highlight companies showing proven signs of development, whether they are startups in the acceleration phase or SMEs that have made innovation an integral part of their strategy.

€75,000 in funding and support for the winners

The winners of this 9^th edition of Next Innov Awards will share €75,000 in funding and receive expert guidance and connections with the partners of the competition. Are you interested in the Next Innov 2026 Awards? Find all the details about it on the dedicated website.