Le Phare, the CMA CGM Foundation’s social incubator, opens applications for the 2025-2026 cohort

In line with the CMA CGM Foundation’s commitment to improve access to education and addressing food insecurity, Le Phare — the Foundation's social incubator — is launching its new call for applications for the next cohort in Marseille.

This program is open to associations and startups developing innovative solutions to tackle social or educational challenges. Le Phare offers access to CMA CGM Group and the Foundation’s expertise, network, and entrepreneurial culture.

Starting in September 2025, selected projects will benefit from a fully funded, customized 9-month support program provided by the CMA CGM Foundation. This program is designed to strengthen their business models, structure their operations, and accelerate their growth.

The program includes:

• A coworking space in the heart of Marseille: Since December 2024, Le Phare has been hosted at Grand Central, the CMA CGM Group’s new hub, providing a vibrant workspace alongside ZEBOX, the international innovation accelerator. This strategic location fosters collaboration within a dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem.
• Access to a powerful network: Leveraging the CMA CGM Group and Foundation’s local, national, and international reach, project leaders gain access to development, partnerships, and visibility opportunities — a true springboard for scaling high-impact solutions that fight poverty and improve access to education.
• High-quality mentorship: Incubated projects receive daily support from the Foundation’s team and benefit from mentorship program involving CMA CGM Group employees. Experts in strategy, management, legal, communications, and funding provide hands-on, personalized guidance tailored to each organization’s specific needs.

This year, Le Phare supported 10 impactful projects. Among them, the association Viens Voir Mon Taff, co-founded by journalist Virginie Salmen, successfully expanded to Marseille with the incubator’s support, enabling 100 underprivileged youth to access quality internships. The Festival de la Bonne Mère, supported by Le Phare, strengthened its social outreach and is launching its third edition this week as it grows into a major national event for popular theatre.

Le Phare’s growing alumni community includes Olivier Oullier (Inclusive Brains), winner of La Provence’s Start-up of the Year award for his brain-signal interpreting headset, and Alexandre Pastor (Melting Pot), a 2025 laureate of the Marseille Foundation.

Since its creation in 2021, Le Phare has supported 55 organizations promoting access to education and social equality, including 30 in Marseille.

Who can apply? The call is open to entrepreneurs — both non-profit and commercial enterprises — with a strong social impact, particularly in education and social action. Organizations must be legally established at the time of application.

Project eligibility? Applications are welcomed from initiatives that:

• Address unmet or poorly covered social needs
• Serve vulnerable or disadvantaged populations
• Include an economic activity

How? Applications must be submitted via the CMA CGM Foundation’s online platform: https://fondationcmacgm.optimytool.com/fr/

Application deadline: Friday, August 15, 2025, at midnight.