Start US Up - Marseille | PAS FRANCE FY2021 06

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAS FRANCE FY2021 06

Start US Up - Marseille is a U.S. Department of State (U.S. Embassy in France) grant opportunity seeking one nonprofit partner to design and run a six-month entrepreneurship and leadership program for roughly 20 to 30 young participants in the Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur (PACA) region. The program blends classic startup training (the practical, technical skills needed to launch a viable business) with a structured sports component intended to build leadership, resilience, teamwork, and self-confidence. The award is structured as a cooperative agreement, meaning the Embassy expects to stay actively involved, including participating on the jury that selects the final cohort and staying in regular contact on planning and implementation.

At its core, the program is meant to strengthen early-stage entrepreneurs by combining weekly workshops with ongoing project support. Participants are expected to work on real entrepreneurial projects and, over the six months, sharpen their business model, strategy, and execution plan. The curriculum is expected to cover fundamentals like pitching, business planning, and financial management, and it must be delivered in a safe, accessible venue with a clear schedule set in advance and consistent start and stop times. Sessions should be designed to leave room for questions and individualized guidance so that each startup can make concrete progress rather than just attend lectures.

A defining feature of Start US Up is the dual emphasis on entrepreneurship and sports as complementary tools for leadership development. The selected partner must design and lead recurring sports trainings (examples mentioned include boxing, running, and general physical training) explicitly tied to leadership outcomes such as discipline, teamwork, and confidence under pressure. In addition to regular sports activities, the program must include a trip within France that culminates in a physical and endurance challenge, reinforcing the leadership and mental toughness themes in a memorable, shared experience.

The Embassy also expects the program to be clearly connected to the Olympic legacy context. With the 2024 and 2028 Olympic Games taking place in Paris and Los Angeles, and with an existing cooperation agreement between the two cities, Start US Up is positioned as a platform for transatlantic exchange and best-practice sharing. Participant projects should align with Olympic legacy themes, specifically sports and innovation, solidarity and inclusion, events, and sustainable development. Preference is indicated for social-impact startups, and proposals are expected to reflect that by emphasizing sustainable, mission-driven business models rather than purely commercial concepts.

The partner organization has wide operational responsibility. It must recruit applicants broadly and run a competitive selection process, including setting up the jury structure and securing an appropriate venue for candidate presentations, with the Embassy serving on the selection jury. It must also secure high-quality speakers and mentors, including successful American and French entrepreneurs and top French athletes for keynotes and seminars. Another required element is English instruction, aimed at helping participants pitch their ventures in an international setting, reinforcing the program's international and transatlantic character.

Program coordination and network-building are major expectations, not minor add-ons. The grantee is tasked with developing and maintaining the Start US Up network to strengthen the program's reputation among professionals, Olympic-related stakeholders, and government representatives. The Marseille chapter must also synchronize with the Paris (Ile-de-France) Start US Up chapter: it is required to follow the same calendar and to organize joint programming once per month, alternating hosting duties every other month. Applications are expected to explain in practical terms how the applicant will collaborate with the Paris chapter to deliver these recurring joint activities.

The program culminates in a high-stakes final pitch event at the U.S. Embassy, where participants present their business projects to a professional jury. The intended outcome is that graduates leave the program better prepared to pursue next-step opportunities, specifically including the ability to apply to ESS 2024, the incubator launched by Paris 2024 to support startups connected to the Olympics. After completion, participants should also be integrated into an alumni structure, with networking and follow-up events, an alumni online directory maintained by the partner, and continued community-building to support long-term success beyond the six-month training window.

From a communications standpoint, the opportunity places strong emphasis on visibility and public value. The grantee must develop and implement a robust communications plan that publicizes the program, highlights participant successes, and clearly acknowledges U.S. Embassy involvement. This plan is expected to cover web presence, content development, social media, and press/public relations. The partner must also handle required administrative procedures and maintain regular reporting and communication with the Embassy about progress, challenges, and upcoming milestones.

In terms of eligibility and funding details, the opportunity is offered by the Department of State, U.S. Mission to France, with an expected single award (one recipient) and an award ceiling of $102,500. Eligible applicants are nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education). The funding opportunity is categorized under areas that include arts/cultural affairs, business and commerce, community development, education, and employment/training. The target participant profile is young adults roughly ages 18 to 35 with varied socioeconomic and educational backgrounds who are serious about entrepreneurship and have projects connected to the Paris 2024 Olympic legacy themes, with a stated preference for initiatives that generate social impact.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to France in the arts (see cultural affairs in cfda), business and commerce, community development, education, employment, labor and training sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Start US Up - Marseille" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.040.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jul 12, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 20, 2021. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $102,500.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.

Apply for PAS FRANCE FY2021 06

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