Jeunes Entreprises d'Innovation à Impact: a lever to support impact start-ups

For several years now, the Mouvement Impact France has been lobbying for impact companies to finally benefit from the same support mechanisms as technology start-ups. One of our priority demands: the extension of the Young Innovative Company (JEI) status to commercial companies and ESUS-certified companiesby creating a dedicated category, "Jeunes Entreprises d'Innovation à Impact" (JEII), which would enable eligible companies to benefit from tax breaks and exemptions from employer contributions associated with the scheme.

Collective mobilization bears fruit

In October 2024, more than 100 business leaders co-signed an opinion piece entitled "Supporting ecologically and socially useful innovation means reducing the debt!" on the sidelines of the 2025 Finance Bill. Published in La Tribune, this position paper, initiated by Impact France, highlighted the urgent need to rethink support for innovation, and called for recognition of impact innovation through the creation of JEII status. 

Thanks to this intervention, we were able to speed up discussions and gather broad political support by highlighting the economic and societal benefits inherent in the creation of the status.

In the days that followed, we reached a major milestone with the adoption in the National Assembly of transparent amendments, supported in particular by MPs Paul Midy, Charles Fournier and Gérard Leseul, integrating this new category into the 2025 Finance Bill. A symbolic and political victory, rewarding years of mobilization in favor of impact start-ups.

See the vote at the French National Assembly

However, despite our collective mobilization, neither the Barnier nor the Bayrou governments decided to retain these amendments for the Budget 2025 under the two 49.3 procedures, which we regret. This setback underscores the need for ongoing and effective collective mobilization, which the Mouvement Impact France will continue to pursue loud and clear during the Budget 2026, to ensure that this measure is definitively enshrined in law. 

Supporting impact-driven innovation to create transition champions

The inclusion of JEII in the JEI scheme is not just a question of symbolic recognition. It represents a powerful lever for redirecting funding towards companies developing solutions that contribute to solving the challenges of the 21st century. By investing in innovative solutions that promote social inclusion, the energy transition or public health, impact companies reduce the pressure on public budgets for social services, healthcare or the management of environmental externalities. Encouraging these companies goes beyond financial investment: it's an effective strategy for reducing debt and optimizing public resources.

By better targeting JEI support towards Jeunes entreprises innovantes à Impact (JEII), the State could play a decisive role in helping new French transition champions to emerge, while ensuring rigorous and efficient management of public resources.

A recent study published by Impact France, in collaboration with BCG and ESSECshows that for every euro of sales generated by these structures, an average of 1.3 euros is saved for society and public authorities.

The Impact France movement will therefore remain fully mobilized to ensure that the recognition of impact enterprises is definitively integrated into innovation support schemes, a major lever of competitiveness and development for young SSE enterprises.