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15 new winners for the second edition of the Les Essenti’Elles competition

Information updated on 30/05/23

Seeking to directly support entrepreneurship for women, France Active Airdie-Occitanie undertook a specific action: Les Essenti’Elles. This custom program is designed to provide assistance for women in Montpellier’s underprivileged neighborhoods.

The most recent class of Les Essenti'Elles

Operating in the eastern part of the Occitanie region, France Active Airdie-Occitanie is a solidarity association that encourages entrepreneurship for women in Montpellier’s “priority districts”, offering comprehensive assistance for women entrepreneurs.

The second edition of the Les Essenti'Elles competition was held this year. A total of 36 women entrepreneurs applied and 20 were pre-selected to pitch their project to the jury. After deliberation, we are pleased to welcome fifteen new winners into the Les Essenti’Elles program.
 
The winners selected for this class will benefit from a grant ranging from 1,000 € to 3,000 €, plus other financial tools such as honorary loans and guarantees, sponsorship, custom training adapted to their needs, intensified one-on-one follow-up, communication support, networking with entrepreneurship stakeholders, and mutual assistance among winners.

This support initiative sends out a powerful message to women entrepreneurs, enabling them to step out on their own and become an active part of the business world, thereby putting an end to precarious employment. It also gives them the opportunity to overcome the obstacles too often encountered by these women, including challenges related to childcare, invisibility, cultural barriers, and language difficulties. During the welcome day that took place on Thursday, May 4, 2023, the new class was able to ask questions of the previous year’s winners, gaining valuable insight into the experience and challenges they could encounter on their entrepreneurial journey.

The Les Essenti'Elles competition is a clear example of our commitment to gender equality and the promotion of entrepreneurship among women. In particular, it encourages women to set up their own businesses, expand their skills, and actively contribute to the vitality and diversification of their community and the city of Montpellier.

Our partners, working together to help the winners make their projects a success

  • France – Departmental Directorate of Employment and Solidarity
  • Occitanie Region
  • Hérault Department
  • Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole
  • Bpifrance
  • Caisse d’Épargne Languedoc-Roussillon
  • AG2R la Mondiale
  • Crédit Agricole Languedoc-Roussillon