- Investment program, labeled France Relance, launched by AXA France in partnership with NextStage AM, “Pépites & Territoires” invests in equity in innovative French SMEs and mid-sized companies located in all regions to support them in their development.
- Already deployed in 30 SMEs and ETIs, “Pépites & Territoires” intends to continue its dynamic while directing its investments towards SMEs and ETIs actively participating in the environmental, social and societal transition.
- With an amount already reaching 200 million euros, the program aims to mobilize 500 million euros.
- Convinced of the need to channel French savings towards the real economy, AXA France will soon make “Pépites & Territoires” accessible to all of its clients through the FCPR AXA Avenir Entrepreneurs.
By successfully launching “Pépites & Territoires” on June 24, 2021, AXA France and NextStage AM affirmed their shared conviction that equity investment in growth SMEs and ETIs constitutes an essential driver of support for innovation and to reindustrialization in France.
“Nuggets & Territories” in line with its deployment objective
As it celebrates its second anniversary, the program is now deployed directly and indirectly, via the NextStage Evergreen and NextStage Championnes III vehicles, in 30 SMEs and mid-sized companies spread across France and selected for their innovative models in the key disruptions of the digital, smart health and environmental innovation.
A diversified portfolio of companies with high growth potential, including 7 direct equity investments:
- ADOPT PARFUMS, based in Cestas, the creator of the French Fragrance Revolution and one of the perfume leaders in France in terms of volume, with 6 million bottles sold in 2022. NextStage AM carried out a reinvestment in May 2022 to enable Adopt to create its second industrial site in the Cosmetic Valley in Château-Renard (45), inaugurated on November 9, 2023.
- WOLF LINGERIE, based in Strasbourg, player specializing in the design and distribution of lingerie items, pioneer in terms of inclusiveness and “Body Positivity” in its market.
- EUROBIO SCIENTIFIC, based in Les Ulis, French group leader in in vitro medical diagnostics and the molecular biology market at the heart of disruptions linked to smart health.
- PORT ADHOC GROUP, based in Paris, the private leader in dry ports in France and the Netherlands with 12 marinas and marinas.
- MEDIPRIX, based in Montpellier, a network of more than 220 pharmacies in France which has nearly 2200 healthcare professionals.
- ROYCE, based in Bordeaux, a major merchant of French grands crus (Bordeaux, etc.) which exports all over the world.
- ACORUS, based in Paris, the “one-stop-shop” for renovation, is a key player in the maintenance, eco-renovation and rehabilitation of real estate assets.
“Pépites & Territoires” committed to an environmental, social and societal transition that creates value
SMEs and ETIs are called upon to play a driving role in the 3rd industrial revolution. AXA France and NextStage AM increase the ambition of the program by setting an objective of reducing the carbon footprint of the fund and by setting a minimum of 50% investments in companies that make commitments to their environmental, social and societal transition . These commitments could result in the definition of a carbon trajectory and the deployment of social and governance initiatives (professional gender equality, turnover and absenteeism, implementation of value sharing with employees, supplier management, etc.) by SMEs and ETIs.
“With the Pépites & Territoires program, AXA France is continuously innovating, alongside NextStage. Strengthened by our network, our local roots, and the links that we have established, throughout France, with SMEs and mid-sized companies of which we are the leading insurers, we have positioned ourselves as a precursor in the mobilization of private equity resources in the territorial reindustrialization service. We are going to further deepen and extend this success, in particular by opening the program to individual savers, through the AXA Avenir Entrepreneurs unit of account, and by further raising our standards in terms of ESG criteria. The ambition: to accelerate the mobilization of private capital in the service of the major transitions that our economy must lead, and in particular the ecological transition. » Guillaume Borie, Managing Director of AXA France.
Mobilization of private savings in the service of reindustrialization: AXA Avenir Entrepreneurs
“Pépites & Territoires” will soon be distributed through the FCPR AXA Avenir Entrepreneurs.
Launched in 2021, it is the first post-PACTE law FCPR launched by AXA France. Labeled Relance, it offers everyone, at any time of the year and with no minimum investment required, within the framework of life insurance or PER, to direct savings towards businesses.
Conditions of access to AXA Avenir Entrepreneurs:
- Accessible on the main general public life insurance contracts, PER or Private Management.
- Accessible both in free management and alongside managed management.
- The fund falls under the usual rules for unit-linked support contracts.
“The investment strategy of Pépites et Territoires is in perfect harmony with the long-term objective of creating sustainable value, and is therefore particularly suited to life insurance and PER units of account. Savers have a very strong appetite for Investment Capital, which, beyond yield, gives meaning and extra-financial value to their savings: supporting entrepreneurs, promoting growth and irrigating our regions” Corinne Calendini, Director general management of AXA France's savings, retirement and individual protection activities.
“The dynamism of Pépites & Territoires demonstrates that strengthening equity capital and our support for their entrepreneurs are key factors for companies aiming to develop in France and internationally. We are proud of AXA France's support for this program which intends to fully contribute to the objectives of job creation throughout our territories as well as to support the various transitions underway, particularly environmental and digital. » Grégoire Sentilhes, President of NextStage AM .
About NextStage AM
Independent management company based in Paris, approved by the AMF, NextStage AM, which has cultivated an “entrepreneur-investor” philosophy since its inception in 2002, is one of the pioneers and leaders of innovative and patient development capital in France. NextStage AM has developed step by step, a multi-strategy Private Equity platform which represents, in terms of assets, managed and advised, as of June 30, 2023, directly and indirectly, nearly €8 billion in AUM. NextStage AM invests in a limited number of SMEs and ETIs (87 portfolio companies as of 30/06/2023), French and European, innovative and growth, to which it provides entrepreneurial investor expertise and strong operational support (integration environmental innovation, talents, international, external growth). NextStage AM provides long-term support to these SMEs & ETIs involved in smart health, environmental innovation and Digital. It gives them the means to accelerate their development and their capacity for innovation to become “Champions” of their markets, both in France and internationally, through organic and/or external growth.
About AXA France
An entity of the AXA Group, managed by Guillaume Borie, AXA France is a French insurer. A multi-specialist insurer, it protects 10 million customers, individuals, businesses and professionals, thanks to the expertise and proximity of its commercial networks and nearly 14 employees.
Press contacts:
AXA France:
Gustavo Coura Guimaraes: gustavo.couraguimaraes@axa.fr – 06 46 21 86 07
Catherine Alves: catherine.alves@axa.fr – 06 81 27 00 09
NextStage AM: Ghita Farage – gf@nextstage.com – 01 53 93 49 40
Shan: Laurence Tovi – laurence.tovi@shan.fr – 06 20 58 29 02 / Lola Gozlan – lola.gozlan@shan.fr – 06 24 76 83 40 / Anne-Laure Daulier – al.daulier@shan.fr – 06 28 59 50 38
