“The PUI… an invisible force that supports all projects”

[Article] - Published on September 13, 2024 in University Innovation Cluster (PUI)

Vice President of the University of Montpellier in charge of partnerships and innovation, Philippe Combette heads up the PUI (University Innovation Hub). After two years of experimentation and one year of certification, he has produced a very convincing assessment...

A pilot site since 2021, the University of Montpellier was designated a university innovation hub in September 2023. Why was it obvious that the University would embark on this adventure?

It all started with the I-site label of excellence, whose acronym already referred to the terms "innovation," "territories," "economy," etc. The first actions in this area were taken in 2017. In 2021, the Ministry of Higher Education and Research approached us before the PUI experiment, because it considered that Montpellier already had a lot to offer. This was true both in terms of our highly successful research-intensive university and the local socio-economic ecosystem. Business creation is one of the strengths of this city, which also has a BIC (Business Innovation Center) recognized as one of the best internationally... It was therefore entirely appropriate for us to submit an application for the PUI pilot phase...

In a few words, how would you summarize the role and missions of the PUI?

We didn't want to make the PUI a kind of totem through which all initiatives must pass... But rather an invisible force that supports all projects. The PUI is a collective that works to connect a clearly identified territory, in this case the metropolitan area and its surrounding region. The goal is to ensure that all innovation stakeholders know each other, work together, and ultimately create jobs and research opportunities. An additional mission of this hub is to enable the various research laboratories—which often have a national vision of innovation—to promote research at the local sites where they are represented. Ultimately, the PUI aims to increase the competitiveness of businesses and reindustrialize the regions.

The academic world and the business world encountered a few difficulties before managing to work together. Overall, how has the PUI succeeded in injecting new momentum?

Every year, we are challenged by indicators that allow us to know whether our actions are bearing fruit. In 2023-2024 alone, we signed more than 300 research contracts with companies, worth €15 million, while our target for 2025 was 393. We have recorded 175 invention disclosures, while the target is 210 by 2025. We have created seven spin-offs and 25 startups, while the target is to create eight and 25 by 2025. In short, we have already achieved around 75% of our targets.

What does this mean in terms of resources and budget?

Today, between the pilot phase and the consolidated phase, we have an initial budget of €9 million, and we have used about a third of that amount. This allows us to finance a collective—which local authorities have become aware of and have also taken up—that is organized to be as effective as possible.

Several measures have been put in place to promote research projects. In a few words, can you tell us about the most effective tools?

We have three main tools. First, there is "Companies and Campus,"which we set up in 2018. This program involves bringing companies to campuses so they can benefit from our scientists' equipment and expertise, while also sharing their own know-how with us. We award grants of €40,000 to €50,000 per project. A total of €1.8 million has been invested since 2018, including €500,000 in 2023, for around 40 projects.

Is there also the Montpellier Innovation Booster (BIM)? as well?

Yes, BIM has been running four sessions a year since 2020 to support and coach project leaders in bringing their projects to fruition. In total, we offer €20,000 to €30,000 per project and around 15 coaches per BIM, drawn from the business world, the Montpellier BIC, the Ad'Occ regional agency, and Satt AxLR. Here again, our strength lies in having a collective that extends beyond the academic world.  Finally, we have the "Pre-incubate to co-incubate" program. A kind of launch pad designed to identify and support business creation, it brings together several academic incubators (such as Initium and AgroVallée) and public incubators (such as Montpellier's BIC). In total, we have supported the creation of 23 startups.

You have attracted numerous local partners, both institutional and private. In your opinion, what are the final obstacles that need to be overcome?

Overall, it's a bit like a honeymoon... But at some point, to move to the next level, you have to raise funds, and that's a bit more complicated. We need to get investors around the table so they can make informed decisions with peace of mind.

In 2023, 12 deep tech startups were created within the PUI. And since 2021, these innovative young companies made in Montpellier have managed to raise more than €360 million. Which projects have impressed or amazed you the most?

I can think of two excellent examples. The creation of Terratis, which supported us during the oral examination at the ANR (National Research Agency). Clélia Oliva had devised a technique for eradicating tiger mosquitoes using radiation, and she thought to herself: why not set up a company? She went to see the manager of the Initium incubator, presented her idea, and took part in the "Pre-incubate to co-incubate" initiative. She also participated in the BIM and benefited from the support of Satt AxLR, BIC, and BPI France... And so Terratis was born. Today, this remarkable technology has already been deployed in certain areas of the Montpellier metropolitan area.

This year, our doctoral student Sarah Colombani has also had a remarkable journey. Winner of the BIM award, she created her company OcciCal Therapeutics, which aims to develop a drug to treat respiratory dysfunction. Sarah is amazing, she has incredible energy. She has been supported by BPI France and the BIC. She received the innovation award last July. And she perfectly illustrates what can be achieved within the framework of the PUI.

Do you plan to target or encourage specific issues in the coming years?

We are a collective, and we have defined thematic roadmaps collectively. Our rule is that if more than two founding members think it's a good idea, we should go in that direction. So together, we decided to focus more specifically on water issues, digital health, cancer research, energy transition, and more. We are also considering creating a roadmap around vineyards and wine.

In 2019, the University of Montpellier was already considered one of the most innovative French universities according to the Reuters ranking (^2ndin France and^17th in Europe). What are your ambitions today?

This year, we are going to create a status for innovative student entrepreneurs. We decided that we needed to open up to the student community and give them access to all the initiatives available to researchers under the PUI. Today, it is important to note that 90% of innovation is carried out by 10 to 12% of the academic world, which means that many researchers are not on the path to innovation for a variety of reasons...

And on a European scale?

In the coming months, we will also be stepping up our outreach to Europe through the EIC (European Innovation Council), via several calls for projects and the creation of alliances. We would also like to attract more European funding for research and innovation. More broadly, within the PUI, our prospecting teams are constantly questioning the way we coordinate our efforts. This is what enables us to continuously improve and make gains in technology transfer, research, collaboration, etc. We have only one goal in mind: to increase our capacity for innovation.

Keywords: Innovation, Partnerships, University Innovation Hub, University