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Accelerator / StudioAllocates capital directlyLAST VERIFIED Oct 2026 · 16 SOURCES

Imagination Machine

Also known as IM 2, IMAGINATION MACHINE SAS

Nantes impact startup studio (2017) that co-founds and finances social and environmental startups, investing about €200K per exploration and up to €500K more; raised ~€10M in 2022.

HEADQUARTERS
Nantes, France
FOUNDED
2017
AUM
—
OUTSIDE CAPITAL
Yes
TEAM LISTED
8 people

FOCUS

STAGES
Pre-SeedSeed
SECTORS
Climate & EnergyConsumer & E-commerceSoftware & SaaSHealthTech
ASSET MIX
Venture capitalImpact
GEOGRAPHY
Europe

WHAT IT IS

Accelerator / Studio. Accelerators and venture studios that invest their own or programme capital in very early companies, for equity.

ABOUT

Imagination Machine is a startup studio in Nantes, founded in 2017 by Rob Spiro and Émilie Abel, that co-founds, accelerates and finances startups with a social or environmental impact. It invests on average €200K in the exploration phase, including paying the entrepreneurs-in-residence, and up to €500K more if the project is validated; founders become majority shareholders without investing their own money. It also finances existing early-stage startups. FrenchWeb reported in October 2022 that the studio raised close to €10M from 35 investors, including Bpifrance’s French Tech Accélération 2 fund, to launch its next ten startups.

INVESTMENT THESIS

Startups with positive social and/or environmental impact (energy, circular economy, healthy and responsible consumption, education), built with entrepreneurs-in-residence through user research, product and design support, anywhere in Europe.

PORTFOLIO (7)

  • BeemNOTABLE
    Climate & Energy
  • Prolong
    Software & SaaS
  • Smala
    Consumer & E-commerce
  • Les Mini Mondes
    Consumer & E-commerce
  • Goodsteps
    Software & SaaS
  • UpTogether
    Education
  • Outgoing
    Consumer & E-commerce

TEAM

  • Rob Spiro
    Co-founder, CEO & Ideation · source
  • Émilie Abel
    Co-founder, CEO & Talents · source
  • Pauline Corriou
    Operating Partner & User Research · source
  • Hugo Kajdas
    Operating Partner & Product · source
  • Ludovic Jamet
    Operating Partner & Tech · source
  • Jeff Kelley
    Operating Partner & Tech · source
  • Margot Felletin
    Operating Partner & Talents · source
  • Charlotte Le Hénanff
    Operating Partner, Communication & Community · source

LINKS

FAQ

Imagination Machine is a accelerator based in Nantes, France, founded in 2017.

Yes. Imagination Machine invests directly in private companies.

Imagination Machine invests at Pre-Seed and Seed stages in Climate & Energy, Consumer & E-commerce, Software & SaaS and HealthTech.

Imagination Machine's stated ticket size is €200K–€700K.

Key people at Imagination Machine include Rob Spiro (Co-founder, CEO & Ideation), Émilie Abel (Co-founder, CEO & Talents), Pauline Corriou (Operating Partner & User Research) and Hugo Kajdas (Operating Partner & Product).

Imagination Machine's investments include Beem, Prolong, Smala, Les Mini Mondes, Goodsteps, UpTogether and Outgoing.

Imagination Machine states that it accepts submissions through its official contact page.

Yes. Imagination Machine manages capital from outside investors.