Brest, January 31, 2023 – Épopée Gestion, a local investment company co-founded by Charles Cabillic and Ronan Le Moal, today announced the launch of the Épopée Villae endowment fund. Created in 2022 to support local initiatives in the French regions, Épopée Villae aims to generate local impact by jobs and financing local businesses and services. The fund is financed by a portion of the management company’s management fees, by investors who wish to support it, and by the carried-interest of the management team. The fund aims to support a dozen projects a year, located in towns in the French Atlantic Arc (Brittany, Normandy, Pays de la Loire, Centre-Val-de-Loire, New Aquitaine) with fewer than 5,000 inhabitants.
A virtuous financing system close to home
Founded in 2020, Épopée Gestion’s ambition is to participate in the economic development of the regions and the decentralization of the French economy by investing in companies of all sizes, from start-ups to SMEs. In response to the economic desertification of rural areas and its economic, social and ecological consequences, Épopée Gestion has, since its inception, been committed to helping rebalance regional economies. The Épopée Villae initiative completes the virtuous ecosystem that Épopée Gestion aims to establish for the benefit of local populations and regional well-being. The aim of endowment fund is to support local business development projects located in communities with fewer than 5,000 inhabitants.
To this end, the endowment fund will be financed by a portion of the management company’s management fees and by Épopée Gestion investors who so wish, in a virtuous logic of global support for the regions and their inhabitants. Last but not least, the endowment fund will also be financed by a portion of the carried interest of the management company’s teams, thus testifying to the strong involvement of employees in the redistribution of the value created.
Specific support and financing
To be supported by Épopée Villae, projects must address local economic issues, offer services with a strong social commitment, and be driven by residents. They are presented by companies, associations or cooperatives with the aim of financing an activity within a third-location or multi-service business. Based on the needs of local residents, viable and with no negative impact on the environment, these projects that facilitate social links must also help to create or maintain jobs, while ensuring that they work in concert with local partners. The endowment fund is not intended to finance walls or renovation work.
Épopée Villae will support projects in the form of donations for amounts ranging from 5,000 to 25,000 euros, up to a maximum of 20% of the total project amount. Projects must also be co-financed (through crowdfunding or other means). This financial contribution will be supplemented by personalized support in the form of assistance in developing the network of local players or skills sponsorship.
To receive a donation, project sponsors can submit their application via the form available on the Épopée Villae website (https://www.epopeevillae.fr/).
Involved and experienced local governance
To meet the challenges of revitalizing rural areas, the governance of the endowment fund relies on personalities with a strong sensitivity to the region.
Gaëlle Trébaol, head of the endowment fund, joined Épopée Villae in 2022, bringing with her a wealth of experience acquired within several foundations. With her Breton roots and in-depth knowledge of the region, she will be able to source, pre-select and support projects throughout the French regions.
The selection committee is made up of personalities with strong ties to the Western region, and with responsibilities in professions that enable them to take a critical look at the viability of the projects. The committee, chaired by Ronan Le Moal, will meet four times a year. It aims to support a dozen projects a year.
Ronan Le Moal, co-founder of Épopée Gestion, comments: “Thinking big also means taking into account forgotten economic zones. We’re delighted to be able to support local initiatives in French regions, thereby multiplying the sustainable impact on the region. The creation of the Épopée Villae endowment fund, conceived at the very outset Épopée Gestion, completes the virtuous circle we aim to build. Faced with these challenges, the fund brings together committed and experienced people working with the ambition of revitalizing our countryside.”
Composition of the Selection Committee (from left to right):
- Carole Pautrel Glez, Chartered accountant and statutory auditor (Cohesio/Groupe Tengo) and vice-president 35 ordre des experts-comptables de Bretagne.
- Laurence Bertrand Espannet, Digital and Quality Project Manager (Teora by Natixis Wealth Management).
- Ronan Le Moal, co-founder of Épopée Gestion.
- Catherine Bourlier Masson, Director and Partner Beo Healthcare. Member of Executive Board of IFA Grand-Ouest.