France Cleantech Funding Hits €1.4B in H1 2026: Energy Leads, Nuclear Gets €165M

French cleantech companies raised €1.4 billion in the first half of 2026, with private equity at €830 million and public instruments at €565 million. Energy captured 39% of total funding, including €165 million for innovative nuclear startups like Calogena and newcleo. Government grants accounted for €215 million, and Bpifrance's SPI fund is targeting industrial-scale deployment to help companies cross the valley of death. The funding mix is shifting toward physical infrastructure: floating offshore wind port upgrades got €260 million in public money, and a €90 million charging network for electric trucks is planned. The key question is whether this capital converts into factories, jobs, and commercial projects. France's approach combines early-stage private equity with public industrialization funds, aiming to build a domestic cleantech manufacturing base across energy, resources, and agritech.