The Académie de l’Export: training to conquer international markets

The Académie de l’Export, launched in September 2023 as part of the ‘Osez l’Export’ plan, aims to equip French businesses with the skills they need to successfully export to global markets.

This digital platform offers a wide range of training courses, covering crucial subjects such as the legal environment, prospecting strategies and the cultural specificities of target markets.

It is a one-stop shop created in collaboration with educational institutions and Team France Export partners, whose aim is to train 50,000 companies over five years to boost their capacity to export.

The Academy offers a range of services, from export preparation and access to international markets, to financing programmes and essential guarantees.

13 Measures to boost exports

As France is facing a plummeting trade deficit, the ‘Osez l’Export’ plan introduces 13 measures designed to boost the competitiveness of French companies on international markets. These measures aim to support companies in their internationalisation through schemes such as the ‘Volontariat Territorial de l’Export’ and the ‘Booster’ programme. The aim is to meet the challenges of exporting, particularly for companies struggling to position themselves internationally due to a lack of competitive products. The ‘Volontariat territorial de l’Export’ programme, for example, helps French SMEs and ETIs to recruit talent by hiring young graduates or students for export-related assignments, with financial assistance of up to €12,000. The Booster programme offers intensive coaching to 200 high-potential SMEs, with financial and strategic support tailored to their needs.

The plan also tackles digitalization, by promoting the visibility of French products via online ‘France Pavilions’ on the major e-commerce platforms, so that companies can not only export, but also establish themselves on a long-term basis.

Team France Export: a one-stop shop for international success

Team France Export brings together the services of Business France, the Regions, Bpifrance and the Chambers of Commerce and Industry to offer integrated support to businesses. Together, these players have joined forces to create the Académie de l’Export. With a presence in 55 countries, Team France Export draws on a vast network of experts and private partners to offer the personalised support that is essential for navigating an increasingly competitive global environment.

Focus on Bpifrance’s involvement: key support through Bpifrance Université and other tools

Bpifrance plays a central role in the ‘Osez l’Export’ plan by offering financing solutions and strategic support to help French companies go international. Through Bpifrance Université, Bpifrance offers a range of free training courses accessible online, designed to train managers and their teams in the challenges of exporting, including modules on risk management, international sales strategy and mastering foreign markets.

At the same time, Bpifrance offers export insurance, which covers the risks associated with international transactions, and export loans tailored to the specific needs of SMEs and SMIs, including short- and medium-term loans to finance export operations. For green projects, Bpifrance has set up specific guarantees to support initiatives aligned with the European taxonomy, facilitating access to financing for small-scale projects with a significant French share. These schemes enable companies to approach international markets with greater confidence, benefiting from structured financial support and tailored assistance at every stage of their export development.

Link to the infographic dedicated to the resources available from the Export Academy (in French): https://view.genially.com/6634ba6623e1ea0014e05bae