Building an impact hardware startup is not something you do alone. At Willa, Europe's leading accelerator dedicated to diversity in tech, Molleau completed two complementary programmes that shaped our development.
1. Women in Green Tech
A programme for women-led startups working on the environmental transition. For Molleau it was the right place at the right time: support that sits at the intersection of two of our realities, women's entrepreneurship and environmental impact. We worked on positioning, messaging, and connections with a network of entrepreneurs facing the same challenges.
2. Support with Bpifrance innovation grants
The second programme, more operational, covered public innovation funding: how to build a solid application for French innovation feasibility grants and incubation schemes. For a young deeptech and hardware company, these grants are decisive: they fund prototyping, testing and product iterations without diluting equity.
Developing a connected device is expensive before the first sale: electronics, moulds, certifications, field testing. Bpifrance grants make it possible to push R&D forward while keeping control of the project. Willa's support turned an intimidating administrative process into a clear roadmap.
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The SCALE programme, in brief
Willa's SCALE programme supports startup founders and co-founders who want to scale up and grow into their leadership. For Molleau, it was the year that tipped the project from prototype to deployment.
- 6 to 12 months of structured support (workshops, mentoring, expert introductions)
- Access to a €30k grant from Bpifrance
- Backed by the City of Paris, the Île-de-France Region and Bpifrance
A word from the founder
Joining Willa's SCALE programme was a genuine opportunity for Molleau. Thanks to the expertise of the many contributors, I received invaluable advice: whenever I had a question or a subject to explore, the team helped me find the right experts to answer it. Several workshops also help you structure your project better and pass important milestones, particularly on finance and grant applications.
The support received throughout the year, from the Willa team and from the other founders, was invaluable. Never feeling alone, being listened to and supported through the difficult moments, is a real asset day to day.
The programme also raised our profile: Willa is a well-known incubator, and it was through that network that I was selected to apply to the Paris innovation competition, where Molleau won the Jury's Favourite innovation award. And finally there is the cause itself: incubators like this remain essential if women are to be better represented in entrepreneurship.
Émilie-Laye Birkui, founder of Molleau
These two programmes are part of a wider journey of incubators and networks that have supported Molleau from the start. We trace them in our full support journey.
Our thanks to the whole Willa team, and in particular to Romain Bessière and Lina Olivares, for their rigour and energy.