OpportunityTitle: Start US Up - Paris
AdditionalInformationOnEligibility: For-profit and commercial entities are not eligible to apply.
Description: The U.S. Embassy in France of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to run a six-month entrepreneurship and leadership program for 20-30 Ile-de-France region participants with a component related to sports. Priority Region: France Program Objectives: The U.S. Embassy in France created Start US Up in 2014 to support new entrepreneurs and reinforce the leadership skills and networked needed to succeed as an entrepreneur. The program aims to provide participants both with activities that build the hard skills an entrepreneur needs (pitching, drafting a business plan, financial management) and sports activities that help build self-confidence, teamwork, and leadership skills also needed in a successful entrepreneur. The 2022 program will also include gatherings of the Start US Up alumni club around networking and follow-up events; the maintenance of an alumni online directory; as well as English classes for the participants to learn how to pitch their entrepreneurial projects in an international environment. The partner organization will be responsible for designing and implementing this six-month program in which participants take part in weekly workshops facilitated by American and French experts, receive assistance in developing their projects, and refine their objectives and strategy to make their businesses viable. The partner organization will recruit and select participants (with the Embassy serving on the selection jury). The partner will secure successful and inspirational American and French entrepreneurs, as well as top French athletes to provide keynote addresses and seminars for participants. The partner organization will arrange for English classes to support participants learning how to pitch in an international environment. In addition, the partner will design and lead sports activities (boxing, running, physical training etc.) to develop participants&#8217; leadership skills and self-confidence. The partner will organize a trip in France during which the participants will take part in a physical and endurance challenge. The program will end with the participants pitching their business projects to a professional jury at the U.S Embassy. After the six-month training, the Start US Up participants will be prepared to apply for ESS 2024, the incubator launched by Paris 2024 to assist start-ups involved in the Paris Olympics. They will also be able to join the alumni club and take part in its networking events and have access to the alumni online directory created by the partner organization. The 2024 and 2028 Olympic Games will respectively take place in Paris and Los Angeles. The cooperation agreement between the two cities aims at fostering a transatlantic dialogue and best practice exchanges on four major themes related to the Olympics&#8217; legacy: sports and innovation, solidarity and inclusion, events, and sustainable development. Participants in Start US Up should have entrepreneurial projects linked to the above-identified Paris Olympics themes. Preference will be given to start ups with social impact. The Start US Up program should be designed accordingly, with a focus on sustainable businesses. This year, U.S. Mission France will expand the Start US Up program to Marseille. The Marseille Start US Up chapter will follow the same calendar as the Ile-de-France chapter. Any successful applicant for the Start US Up Paris grant must organize joint programs with the Marseille chapter one time per month, with the chapters alternating hosting duties every other month. Proposals should include an explanation of how the applicant will work with the Start US Up Marseille program. The grantee shall create a robust communication plan advertising the program, the participants&#8217; successful endeavors, and the U.S. Embassy involvement. What we expect from the partner: INSTRUCTION The training program must reflect the values and objectives of Start US Up. The grantee will present an example of the proposed program in their application with explanation. Workshops and courses shall take place in an easily accessible, safe environment, adapted to the format of the sessions. Create a schedule of training in advance of the program, with consistent start and stop times. Each session should allow sufficient time for startups to ask questions and receive guidance from trainers and speakers. Ensure the content of the courses and speakers reflect the dual French and American perspectives on entrepreneurship and leadership. The grantee application should include a sample list of 10 guest speakers. Organize and lead the sports trainings as well as the annual trip. RECRUITMENT OF START UPS The grantee must recruit potential candidates by promoting the program widely. The grantee will present its strategy in the application. The grantee will organize the candidate selection process by selecting the members of the jury and by securing appropriate location for the candidate presentation. PROGRAM COORDINATION The grantee will develop and maintain the Start US Up network in order to strengthen the reputation of the program among professionals, the network of the Olympic Games, and the government representatives. The grantee will present the network and development strategy in the application file. The grantee will ensure coordination of the program with the different program partners such as: the U.S. Embassy in France, the Marseille Start US Up chapter, and other possible partners. COMMUNICATION AND REPORTING The grantee will create and implement a communications plan for the Start US Up program: including development of the website, development of content, development of social networks, public and press relations. The grantee will present its strategy in its application. The grantee will follow all required administrative procedures and maintain regular communication with the Embassy on future planning and progress of the program. Participants and Audiences: 18-35 year-old dedicated youth from within and around Ile-de-France who have an entrepreneurial project linked to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games&#8217; legacy. Participants should include a mixture of economic background and educational and professional trajectories.
GrantorContactEmailDescription: If you have difficulty accessing the full announcement electronically, please contact:
GrantorContactText: The U.S. Embassy in France Grants Team