CMA CGM is by throwing its weight behind an incubator set-up in its home town of Marseille.

The French liner giant has launched a contest to reward five newly created companies with the financing of their hosting and guidance within Le Carburateur.

The idea behind the project is to stimulate entrepreneurship and job creation in the city with le Carburateur, which is an incubator for small companies in the Marseille Northern Area.

A jury, chaired by CMA CGM chief executive Rodolphe Saade, will select the five lucky companies which must come from the maritime, transportation or logistics fields.

Each of the five companies selected will get a grant worth EUR5,000 ($5,400) to pay for its hosting within Le Carburateur, activity follow-up, guidance, advice and expertise as well as constant networking to speed up the company’s development

Candidates have until April 28 to apply, with the list of the five winners scheduled to be disclosed during May 2017.

CMA CGM said it wishes to “encourage and foment the development of newly created companies” in France and, particularly, in the Marseille area.

“Accompanying the new generation of new entrepreneurs with potential for economic growth and job creation is an endeavour the group has undertaken to contribute to the development of Marseille,” it added.

Rodolphe Saade commented: “CMA CGM is an unbelievable entrepreneur story that has developed with strong human and family values.

“We wish to encourage all those who share with us this passion for entrepreneurship and, naturally, it is in Marseille, where we were born, that we bring our contribution.”

Le Carburateur director Muriel Bernard-Reymond added: “Being into business creation constitutes a source of positive energy that brings welfare to one’s community and him or herself.

“The benefit of an entrepreneurship ecosystem from the very beginning gives serenity and confidence to would-be entrepreneurs that their company will strengthen quickly.

“CMA CGM’s support will help five promising young shoots to benefit from a much needed fuel. We are convinced that teaming up with economic locomotives we will win the challenge of development and attractiveness in our territory.”