Orange Ventures Impact will target young French and European start-ups in their seed stage or with proven development potential. These start-ups must help new responsible economic models with a positive impact on the environment, inclusion or CareTech to emerge, fields which are not currently covered by Orange Ventures.
Each project will be subject to a precise analysis via the definition of specific impact indicators, in addition to the financial analysis usually conducted for venture capital. This new vehicle will initially invest between €750,000 and €3 million in each round of financing.
The young start-ups selected will receive ‘à la carte’ support that will set them apart, which is part of Orange Ventures’ DNA. The aim will be to multiply their potential with structured access to the Orange Group’s international ecosystems, enable them to benefit from internal expertise and, where relevant, to form agile sales partnerships enabling Group customers to benefit from their innovations.
In alignment with the Engage 2025 strategic plan ambitions, special attention will be given to monitoring the overall impact of the future Orange Ventures Impact portfolio over time. Indicators such as the number of people helped, the jobs created in the sustainable economy and the number of tons of CO² avoided will be used if relevant. They will enhance the Orange Group’s commitments in connection with the international framework of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for which the Orange Group intends to measure its contribution.
Start-ups that are interested can submit their project on the Orange Ventures website.
At this announcement, Jérôme Berger, Chairman and Managing Partner of Orange Ventures declared: “Within the Orange Group, we are convinced that there is no economic performance without social and environmental exemplarity. By launching Orange Ventures Impact, without sacrificing any part of our ambition for financial performance, we are pleased to allocate €30 million to start-ups which, due to their development stage or business sector, had not been captured in Orange Ventures’ current investment proposition, but whose positive impact on the environment, inclusion or help to individuals will be especially strong.”
About Orange Ventures
With €350 million in funds, Orange Ventures is dedicated to investing in innovative startups in Orange’s strategic fields of interest (Networks & IT, Digital Companies, Cybersecurity and Fintech) and beyond (Content and gaming, Consumer platforms, E-health). Orange Ventures also deploys initiatives dedicated to the Africa-Middle East region. Supported by the Orange Group, Orange Ventures offers the startups in which it invests access to the Group’s expertise and the possibility to put in place synergies with the Orange Group’s many sales units and its 262 million customers spread across 26 countries. For more information, visit ventures.orange.com or follow us on Twitter @Orange_DV