Idealistic entrepreneurs wanted!
Helping Teachers with AI
Bring support to each student, create individualized learning programmes, develop group work... What about creating IA based education tools to help teachers saving time & focusing on what really matters for their students?
AI & drones for sustainable agriculture
AI opens new possibilities in terms of detection, monitoring and forecasting. Coupled with aerial drones, we believe it could become a daily ally of the agricultural world. The challenge: explore a business opportunity based on regenerative agriculture dynamic.
Do you want to be an Imagination Machine entrepreneur?
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.
Project leader
Do you have an idea or a start-up already launched that can make a difference on a large scale? Pitch us your project, we look forward to hearing more.
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?
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?
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40 Rue la Tour d'Auvergne, 44200 Nantes (France)