Do you want to be an Imagination Machine entrepreneur ?
Ideas & projects
Choose a challenge you want to tackle with us
#circularretail
Large-format retail for the circular economy
We believe there is an opportunity to make a significant environmental impact by creating a chain of large department stores in France dedicated to circular economy brands.We also believe in the continued future of physical retail, despite the growth of ecommerce, if we can innovate to create a store that builds local communities while reducing our environmental footprints. We are inspired by a successful Swedish model (Retuna).
#democratizecareers
Boost apprenticeships in France
Apprenticeship is meant to be a democratic alternative to the traditional career entrance ramp of prestigious schools. But the result is often disappointing for both the apprentice and the company. There is an opportunity to have a huge social impact while adding real value for employers!
#givemore
The app to give more charity
There is a significant gap between the amount people are willing to donate to charities and what they actually give. We believe that a better digital user experience could reduce this gap and increase the global amount of donations by tens of billions of euros per year.
#heatwave
An eco-friendly alternative to air conditioning
Global warming is increasing the occurrence of extreme heat waves. Existing air-conditioning is making the problem worse by consuming immense amounts of energy and releasing refrigerant gasses into the atmosphere. We believe that low-tech solutions can provide an answer.
#rewilding
Tourism that rewilds the earth
The local "slow tourism" movement is in full expansion. We believe that there is an opportunity to invent a new type of vacation village combining ecological living, natural rewilding and re-connection to nature and agriculture.
#something-else
Entrepreneur in Residence
Do you want to become a co-founder of a start-up project with a positive impact? Apply to join us and launch the exploratory phase of a new start-up project with us.
A proven methodology
We engage as a cofounder on high-impact projects
Inspired by design thinking and agile development, we use a custom methodology for each project that is always centered around the user. We proceed by iteration, trying to learn as much as possible about user habits, needs and use-cases in a given sector. Working with you, we search for the best solutions to boost your startup growth over the long-term.
Our commitment
We are strategic partners, with task-force teams in product, development, communications, design and HR.
Early stage investment (up to 500k€ over 2 years)
Compensation for founders during the early phases of the project
Full remote work, with regular in-person meetings
Founders from all over Europe are welcome (we work in English!)
Next steps
Application
1 month after
Kick-off meet-up week
We spend a week all together in person to frame the launch of the product, draw the roadmap, and carry out the first user tests.
From months 2 to 4
3 months of exploration
You strengthen your entrepreneurial position by taking part in strategic thinking and operations of existing projects. At the same time, you refine your expertise by leading the exploratory phase of the project that we are launching together: you conduct numerous user tests and test different value propositions.
Validation
Following all the interviews you’ve carried out, you have some strong intuitions and ideas for how to proceed with the project. Having validated the market opportunity, together we design checkpoints for you before you continue with research. After this, we’ll refine the value proposition and start working on a prototype!
From months 5 to 8
Prototyping
We build a Minimum Viable Product, whatever its form, with the help of our internal developers, and submit it to users for feedback. We go through lots of iteration until we find THE formula that hits the mark(et)!
From months 9 to 14
Early stage investment
Depending on the progress made and the milestones reached by the team, we can, with board approval, reinvest in the project to reach a total of 500k€.
Is this you?
Ambitious
We co-create startups with the goal of scaling them up. Let’s have a huge impact together!
Humble
We are looking for entrepreneurs who can challenge their intuitions and adapt to fully embrace their users’ points of view.
Idealist
We want to change the world in a positive way by combining business opportunities & strong values.
Experienced
We are looking for both experts and generalist profiles - preferably with a track record in entrepreneurship – willing to address problems and able to build relevant solutions. Do you want to take on the challenge?
Meet our co-founders
FAQ
Find the answers to most of your questions here. If you need more details, do not hesitate to contact us!
How much funding will IM invest in a start-up?
I have a start-up project already; can I work on it with Imagination Machine?
How often do you call for applications?
What means or resources do you offer to ensure the success of the start-up?
Where is IM based? I don’t live in Nantes, can I apply? Do I need to speak French?
You launch several start-ups in parallel: what happens after the launch & when my team is complete? How do you stay involved?
What happens if the research stage does not succeed?
What happens when the start-up is incorporated? Who owns it? What is the split?
Will I be paid?
Can we apply as a pair?
How do you build co-founders teams?
I’m interested in one of your projects, but I have no experience in this sector. Can I apply?
Some of our thoughts
Here are some of our thoughts about our daily work, some of the major issues that we’d like to solve, and our inspirations.
Emmanuel Guimard
Imagination Machine, start-up studio dédié à l'impact, recherche pépites
Kits solaires, jouets, protections périodiques bios… L'usine à start-up de l'américain Rob Spiro a déjà fait émerger huit projets socio-environnementaux. Imagination Machine boucle une levée de fonds de 10 millions auprès de 35 investisseurs.
October 20, 2022
Jéromine Doux
Basé à Nantes, le startup studio Imagination Machine, lève 10 millions d’euros
Le startup studio nantais, qui a déjà créé 8 sociétés, souhaite lancer 10 nouveaux projets "à impact sociétal et environnemental." Après avoir levé 5,5 millions d'euros à ses débuts, il réalise un second tour de table de 10 millions d'euros.
October 19, 2022
Émilie Abel
Histoires de recruteurs : la voix des soft skills
Recruteuse et entrepreneuse dans l’âme, Emilie Abel a pour mission de rechercher et d’intégrer des porteurs de projets compatibles avec les opportunités imaginées au sein d’Imagination Machine, StartUp Studio for good.
November 9, 2021
Rob Spiro
Le problème n°1 — et la grande opportunité — de la nouvelle décennie
Un matin, il y a quelques semaines, je conduisais ma fille à la crèche. Longeant la rue Jeanne d’Arc, nous sommes passés devant une boutique aux vitres fraîchement brisées ; puis devant une autre ; puis devant l’agence d’une assurance recouverte de...
June 16, 2020
Rob Spiro
Une cinquantaine de raisons pour lesquelles je vais au travail tous les matins
Je crois que les entreprises qui ont des phrases fortes pour résumer leurs philosophies – des missions qui inspirent humainement – ont plus de chances de réussir. Ils attirent naturellement des personnes talentueuses et réfléchies...
October 1, 2019
Rob Spiro
Pourquoi j'espère que le prochain Facebook naîtra en France
Lorsque les Américains dînent avec des Français, il y a généralement un moment délicat quand l’apéro commence et que les premiers verres sont servis : les Américains prennent une gorgée tout de suite, avant que tout le monde ait été servi.
December 12, 2018
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