Publicis Groupe is marking its ninetieth anniversary with a new global initiative that will see it invest in 90 digital start-ups around the world.

The Paris-based network first started trading from an apartment on Rue Montmartre in 1926, and has decided to celebrate by offering mentorship and investment of up to €500,000 for digital entrepreneurs.

Students, start-ups and even Publicis employees are able to apply to take part in the scheme, called ‘Publicis90’, via a website which has gone live today. It will remain open for submissions until 28 February.

Projects will be pre-selected by region – divided into the Americas, APAC and EMEA – with a first round of votes open to all group employees. A regional jury will then draw up a shortlist, before the final selection is made by a global jury.

Publicis is setting aside €10m for the project, according to Business Insider.

Maurice Lévy, chairman and CEO at Publicis Groupe, said: “Publicis90 is very much in line with the philosophy of Publicis Groupe and its founder, Marcel Bleustein-Blanchet.

“The idea is to help young entrepreneurs achieve their goals. Not just through investment but also by putting Groupe resources at their disposal for a year. Rather than look back and pat ourselves on the back for 90 years of history, we have taken the forward-looking approach of extending a helping hand to young entrepreneurs.”