The leading independent public funding advisory firm in the Grand Ouest region is restructuring its ownership around its managing director, Emmanuel Cognet, supported by Banque Populaire Grand Ouest, BNP Paribas, and Crédit Agricole Atlantique Vendée.
Founded in 2010, Dix Septembre has established itself as a reference player in innovation funding advisory for companies across the Grand Ouest and beyond. The firm, which today supports more than 400 clients in accessing public funding mechanisms (R&D Tax Credit, Innovation Tax Credit, Young Innovative Company status, as well as regional, national, and European grants), employs 27 staff members across three offices in Saint-Herblain, Les Herbiers, and Paris.
A transition in service of growth
Having joined the firm’s capital in November 2012 and taken over its management in summer 2017, Emmanuel Cognet and Julien Bouteiller together drove the firm’s development. As part of this MBO, Julien Bouteiller is divesting his entire stake; Emmanuel Cognet becomes the majority shareholder.
“This transaction marks a significant milestone for Dix Septembre. It enables me to fully drive the firm’s next phase of development, with the ambition of strengthening our role alongside our clients and supporting them ever more effectively in their innovation and transformation projects,” states Emmanuel Cognet.
The transaction was structured with the support of three banking partners: Banque Populaire Grand Ouest, BNP Paribas, and Crédit Agricole Atlantique Vendée. It will enable Emmanuel Cognet to strengthen the firm’s internal structure, accelerate its commercial growth, and consolidate its expertise in non-dilutive funding advisory.
A consolidating market, a national ambition
The public funding advisory market is in a consolidation phase, with European grants representing the primary growth driver. In this evolving landscape, independent firms capable of delivering comprehensive innovation advisory and operating at national scale are well-positioned to stand out.
Dix Septembre has the assets to claim its place: strong brand recognition, a solid client portfolio spanning SMEs, industrial companies, and beyond, high client satisfaction, and a well-established referral network among chartered accountants, competitiveness clusters, and banks.
True to its rigorous approach and its commitment to business leaders, Dix Septembre intends to establish itself as the national reference in public funding advisory.
Transaction advisors
Financial advisor: Hugo Ponce, Nada Ibrahim, Finpact
Legal counsel (seller): Maître Patrick Marès, Bosco Avocats
Legal counsel (buyer): Maître Nolwenn Hadet-Kaziras, Synegore
About Dix Septembre
Founded in 2010, Dix Septembre is a consulting firm specialising in public funding. Headquartered in Saint-Herblain, with offices in Paris and Vendée, the firm supports companies in their growth, innovation, and transition projects.