The Chamber opens it doors to Pascal Lagarde, Executive Director of Bpifrance in charge of International, Strategy, Research and Development

Could you give us an overview of Bpifrance's mission and its role in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in France?

Bpifrance, established in 2012 through the merger of OSEO, CDC Entreprises, and the Strategic Investment Fund, serves as a comprehensive support system for entrepreneurs. By offering a seamless array of financial and non-financial services, Bpifrance assists entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey.

Innovation is central to Bpifrance’s mission, as it is the cornerstone of growth and competitiveness for both France and Europe. With 50 regional offices across France, Bpifrance ensures proximity to entrepreneurs, whether they are in Paris, Marseille, Reims, or even Noumea in New Caledonia.

In 2023, Bpifrance mobilized €63 billion to stimulate the French economy, with €9.4 billion specifically allocated to fostering innovation through strategic initiatives like France 2030. Bpifrance plays a pivotal role in the deeptech ecosystem, supporting startups from inception through partnerships with SATTs and providing tailored tools to meet the unique needs of these projects, thereby sharing the high burden of risk with entrepreneurs.

This comprehensive support has been instrumental in the success of unicorns such as Doctolib, BackMarket and last but not least Mistral AI.

How does the institution engage with international innovation ecosystems to stimulate cross-border collaboration and the development of new technologies or joint ventures?

In addition to its extensive presence across France, Bpifrance has established international offices to support entrepreneurs in expanding globally and to promote France as a competitive ecosystem. These efforts attract foreign investors and companies, positioning France as a strategic destination for business growth.

Since 2008, Bpifrance has operated a matchmaking platform - EuroQuity - that connects companies and investors, with a primary focus on Europe and Africa. Bpifrance is also actively involved in the Eureka network, facilitating cross-border and innovative collaborations between SMEs. Another example, IPCEI in the sector of hydrogen, brought together many counterparts, including France and Norway, fostering collaboration between the two countries.

We are continually expanding our partnerships with counterparts worldwide, creating a continuum of opportunities for companies seeking to grow internationally. Norway is an example of a successful partnership with France.

We have recently strengthened our collaboration and will organise together with both Embassies and Innovation Norway the 3rd edition of the French-Norwegian Green Industry forum, on the 31st of March 2025 at your headquarter in Paris. What role do you see Bpifrance playing in facilitating French-Norwegian collaborations in the context of the green transition, especially with Norway’s leadership in sustainability and France’s ambitions for energy innovation and decarbonization?

Bpifrance maintains strong relationships with its counterparts, including Innovation Norway, to promote a sustainable and decarbonized Europe. During the recent forum hosted by Bpifrance in collaboration with the French-Norwegian Chamber of Commerce, the two Embassies and Innovation Norway, a strategic partnership on green industrial transformation was signed between the two countries.

Besides providing a platform for companies, institutions, policymakers, and financial entities to meet and discuss key issues, Bpifrance has renowned expertise in renewable energy, critical raw materials, and Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS), which are essential for the green transition.

We believe that Norway and France have much to offer each other. Bpifrance plays a pivotal role in facilitating French-Norwegian collaborations, emphasizing the importance of sharing experiences, providing support, and seeking innovative ideas from abroad.

Looking ahead, what are some of the opportunities you anticipate for French-Norwegian business and industrial cooperation, and how can we together help French companies navigate the Norwegian market more effectively?

To help French companies access the Norwegian market, we offer a wide range of export financing solutions and work closely with Business France to support them. We also have more specific products for R&D cooperation, for example, or capital investment that can contribute to French-Norwegian projects. The renewable energy, carbon storage and decarbonisation sectors certainly offer special cooperation opportunities that we can seize together!