Context 

With the growing influence of internal investment funds within large corporations, we have developed a barometer to assess the state of Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) in France.​

Missions

In this context, we :

• Developed a structured questionnaire
• Conducted an exhaustive mapping of French investment funds (around 40 funds identified)
• Leveraged our network to facilitate connections
• Implemented a multichannel approach (email, LinkedIn, phone) to reach contacts outside our network
• Administered the questionnaire to 25 funds, ensuring market representativity
• Processed and coded data, converting qualitative responses into quantitative indicators
• Performed in-depth analysis and synthesized results to identify key trends
• Designed the barometer with the support of our in-house design teams​

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Context 

GTT launched GTT Strategic Ventures, its corporate venture capital fund, in 2023. Through three foundational workshops, we helped GTT establish the strategic direction of the fund, clarify its investment thesis and build the tools for efficiency decision-making. ​

In 2024, we supported GTT to onboard its newly appointed board members. ​

Missions

In this context, we supported our client to:

• A foundational workshop to fully grasp the fundamental responsibilities of both a board member and board observer​
• A case study workshop on the delicate balance between maximizing partnership benefits and maintaining the integrity and independence of the board​
• A second case study on the typical annual cycle of a board, focusing on the crucial role of efficient reporting mechanisms​

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Context 

Aster Fab is part of a European consortium supporting innovation through the EIC ACCESS+ program. This initiative is designed to help European startups accelerate their growth by providing financial support and access to specialized services.

Who can apply?

• EIC Awardees (Pathfinder, Transition, Accelerator)
• Seal of Excellence holders
• Spin-offs from EIC Awardees

Financial support

• Research package – up to 60,000€
  • Access to infrastructure and R&D support
  • Prototyping and Proof of Concept
• Business acceleration – up to 30,000€
  • Acceleration, Incubation and Venture building
  •  Business Planning
  • Internationalisation
• Skills improvement – up to 10,000€
  • Coaching & Mentoring
  • HR & Talent
• Access funds – up to 30,000€
  • IP & Legal
  • Due Diligence
  • Support fundraising

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Context 

Our client, a major player in the construction industry, established an intrapreneurship program that led to the creation of a startup gaining traction both internally and externally. The company, that developed a platform for ordering low-carbon concrete, required additional funding to expand further. We mentored the intrapreneur in developing multiple comprehensive business plans and diverse funding scenarios.

Mission

In this context, we supported our client to:

• Team, Market, and Growth Analysis: Evaluate the team’s expertise, commercial robustness, and growth prospects
• Financials: Review the company’s financial health and performance to date, as well as future projections
• Business Plan: Craft a strategic business plan that outlines the company’s vision, objectives, and actionable steps for growth
• Funding Requirements: Assess the amount of funding needed for expansion and how it aligns with the business plan
• Funding Scenarios: Build scenarios to explore different funding options and their potential impact on the company’s future

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Context 

In the charging point operator (CPO) field, there are four main types of players: construction companies, energy companies, OEMs and startups. We worked with a leading construction player to help speed up the deployment of their EV charger network by assisting with funding.

Mission

• Market and Competitor Research: Conducted in-depth analysis to understand the landscape and identify key competitors.
• Customer Interviews: Engaged with current customers to gather insights and feedback on their experiences and needs.
• Financial Model: Developed a comprehensive business plan with a 20-year horizon to ensure sustainable growth.
• Pitch Deck Creation: Designed a compelling pitch deck from scratch to effectively communicate the project’s value proposition to potential investors.

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Context 

In the energy industry, allocating topics between innovation and R&D teams is not always straightforward, as it involves navigating complex challenges and competing priorities. Key considerations in this allocation process include time horizon focus (short, medium, or long term), business proximity (core, adjacent, or new markets), and the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) scale, among others.

Mission

We aimed to illuminate how leading organizations allocate topics within their teams. This exploration covered:

• Key considerations when allocating topics
• Educational content on five key frameworks
• Insights from interviews with nine leading energy companies—TotalEnergies, Ørsted, Iberdrola, EDF, Engie, Saipem, Enedis, Enel, and Galp—highlighting their unique approaches to balancing innovation and research efforts in a rapidly evolving energy landscape.

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Context 

Our client has developed a strong innovation activity to fuel its transformation. In this context, our client asked us to explore market demand for a new offering in dismantling and extracting valuable components from lithium-ion batteries.

Mission

We carried out a study to define the go-to-market strategy:

• Map of the second-life battery value chain, from manufacturing to end-of-life
• Segmentation of second-life component buyers
• Real-world applications of second-life components
• Interviews with 8 potential customers on interest and technical needs
• List of existing technical standards for selling second-life battery cells
• Review of the EU battery regulation compliance
• Recommendations on the go-to-market strategy and prioritization of potential customers to address first

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