Graines de Boss, the entrepreneurship competition founded in France in 2004, is broadening its horizons with expansions into Belgium and Spain. This strategic move aims to connect innovative start-ups in these countries with the French market. Belgium and Spain were chosen due to their strong commercial ties with France, with an overarching goal of gradually extending the competition to other European nations. GDB LINK, the global branch of Graines de Boss, was established to encourage economic development beyond France, focusing on urban renewal, environmental services, and sustainability, particularly in critical sectors such as water and wastewater treatment.
Veolia, a global frontrunner in ecological transformation and a long-time partner of Graines de Boss, has played a key role in this international expansion. With a longstanding collaboration with Graines de Boss, Veolia is deeply involved in supporting European start-ups specializing in environmental solutions. The company’s leaders have actively contributed as mentors and jury members while also offering financial support for successful projects through GDB Capital. To further this commitment, Veolia Water Technologies Group is now sponsoring GDB LINK, reinforcing Veolia’s mission to foster entrepreneurship in France and internationally, particularly among start-ups with the potential to create a significant environmental impact.
Applications are currently open, with one winning start-up from each country securing the chance to pitch their business ideas in Paris on June 24, 2025
The Belgian and Spanish editions of the competition were officially launched in October 2024 during an event at the French Ministry of Economy in Paris. Applications are currently open, with one winning start-up from each country securing the chance to pitch their business ideas in Paris on June 24, 2025. The event will be attended by over 200 mentors, including senior executives from leading French corporations, providing a valuable platform for these start-ups to establish commercial partnerships and strengthen European entrepreneurial connections.
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:
