Young Enterprise Initiative (YEi)
History
In 2005, the Office for Science and Technology (SST) of the Embassy of France in the United States created the Young Enterprise Initiative (YEi), also known as YEi – Start in France. Initially launched in the United States under the name Young Entrepreneurs Initiative, the program was primarily aimed at French researchers living abroad with innovative entrepreneurial projects, to help them re-establish themselves in France. Over the years, YEi evolved to include more mature companies, and in 2016, it expanded to other countries.
Between 2005 and 2019, the program brought together 199 participants across 15 editions, originating not only from the United States but also from nine other countries: South Africa, Germany, Canada, Finland, Italy, Norway, Singapore, Sweden, and Taiwan.
YEi’s goal is to enrich the French deeptech ecosystem, strengthening and internationalizing breakthrough innovation dynamics. The laureates were able to identify the strengths of France’s innovation and research ecosystem, as well as relevant support programs and structures for potential establishment. Between 2018 and 2020, the program was directly managed by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, before being suspended in 2021 due to the Covid-19 health crisis. In coordination with the Ministry of Higher Education and Research, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, French Tech, Choose France, and Business France, YEi aims to raise awareness among laureates about the quality of French research, opportunities for establishment in Île-de-France and across all regions, and the support available to deeptech entrepreneurs. In 2025, La Synapse will relaunch this program in the United States under a new format, under the name Start in France.
Between 2005 and 2019, the program brought together 199 participants across 15 editions, originating not only from the United States but also from nine other countries: South Africa, Germany, Canada, Finland, Italy, Norway, Singapore, Sweden, and Taiwan.
YEi’s goal is to enrich the French deeptech ecosystem, strengthening and internationalizing breakthrough innovation dynamics. The laureates were able to identify the strengths of France’s innovation and research ecosystem, as well as relevant support programs and structures for potential establishment. Between 2018 and 2020, the program was directly managed by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, before being suspended in 2021 due to the Covid-19 health crisis. In coordination with the Ministry of Higher Education and Research, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, French Tech, Choose France, and Business France, YEi aims to raise awareness among laureates about the quality of French research, opportunities for establishment in Île-de-France and across all regions, and the support available to deeptech entrepreneurs. In 2025, La Synapse will relaunch this program in the United States under a new format, under the name Start in France.
Fields of Activity and Origins of Startups
La Synapse’s thematic expertise focuses on ten scientific and technological domains. The 199 laureates of the YEi program from 2005 to 2020 are mainly distributed across three sectors: biology, medicine, and health (48%); ICT and artificial intelligence (33%); and energy and environmental challenges (15%). Most laureates of the YEi program in the United States came from research laboratories affiliated with universities. The two states most represented among laureates are Massachusetts (37%) and California (27%).
Where are the Laureates now?
Nearly fifteen percent of the entrepreneurs who participated in the YEi program from the United States went on to establish themselves in France and develop professional activities following their participation. For example, Akrivis Technologies (YEi 2010) developed a joint laboratory with CEA-LETI in 2014, Milo Biotechnology (YEi 2012) concluded an R&D partnership with the Genopole in Évry in 2014, and PathMaker Neurosystems (YEi 2014) was incubated at the Brain and Spine Institute (ICM).
