French VISA tech for founders

Advantages
The French Tech Visa is a simplified, fast-track scheme for non-EU startup employees, founders and investors to obtain a residence permit for France.
Valid for 4 years and renewable
Accessible for the spouse and minor children
Diplomas are not required

Who is eligible
For whom: international start-up founders selected by partner incubators and accelerators
Eligible criteria:
An innovative business project they want to develop in France.
Recognition of the project by a public-sector body
Sufficient annual financial means corresponding to the statutory national minimum wage (SMIC), i.e. €19,074 as of October 1, 2021

procedure
Step 1: Send Application to one (or several) of the French Tech Visa partner incubators and accelerators
Step 2: After being selected by an incubator, the project is sent to the DGE and the ministry of economy for recognition of the innovative nature of the project
Step 3: Issuing of an official letter of acknowledgement of the innovative nature of the project. The DI(R)ECCTE gives its opinion within two weeks of receiving the project form
Step 4: Enclose the letter with your visa application entitled “Talent passport–innovative economic project” and submitted to French consulate.
Step 5: Once in France, present your long-stay visa at your local prefecture (French government administrative office) which will then issue your residence permit allowing you to live and work in France for 4 years, renewable

Case study
Ilya Larin, founder of Zabota
Applied to CA village (incubator located in Bordeaux partner of French tech) also applied to other incubator, note that each incubator has a different form of application
The incubator sent a full details about the program (offered services, fees key steps)
a pitch session was held, the pitch was about 5 min, the incubator asked some questions concerning the project.
Waiting for the jury decision (1 week)