Station F, the Paris-based startup campus, is launching a European accelerator programme for AI startups across the world.
Dubbed F/ai, the programme is backed by a host of high-profile partners ranging from tech giants Microsoft, Meta, Google and OpenAI to startups like Mistral AI, Hugging Face and Lovable. Backers also include US VCs Sequoia Capital, General Catalyst and Lightspeed, as well as European investors 20VC, Kima Ventures and Drysdale Ventures.
Targeting early-stage AI startups globally, the programme will host two batches of 20 companies each per year, selected by Station F on the basis of recommendations from partners rather than open applications. The objective is to provide a made-in-Europe launchpad to create global AI companies.
The first batch launched at the start of the year with 15 French startups and five international businesses. The selected companies have not been disclosed yet.
“The goal is to have as many international companies as possible,” said Jules Langeard, who leads Stations F’s in-house programmes, at a press conference.
A European Y Combinator
Langeart says the new programme took inspiration from Silicon Valley’s famous accelerator Y Combinator (YC), which hosts hundreds of startups through four cohorts every year, culminating with a demo day during which the companies pitch to investors.
F/ai, however, intends to focus more on helping startups with their go-to-market strategy. The programme’s objective is to enable companies to reach €1m in revenues within six months.
Partners are expected to provide support in the form of perks like compute credits as well as mentorship, expertise and network.
The programme will conclude with a “deal day” in which startups will pitch to corporates to sign partnerships. The first batch’s deal day is scheduled for the start of April.
Station F is not planning to take any equity in the participating companies, says Langeart, but candidates are likely to be selected for the Future 40 list, an annual ranking of top-performing startups on campus, of which 10 receive funding from the organisation.
