Montpellier’s innovation ecosystem in the spotlight: Seven research-based projects recognized in the 2026 i-Lab and I-PhD competition, including two grand prizes
Montpellier’s innovation ecosystem has once again demonstrated its excellence on a national level. During the i-Lab and i-PhD 2026 innovation competitions—organized as part of the France 2030 plan and administered by Bpifrance—seven projects from the Montpellier University Innovation Hub (PUI) ecosystem were named among the national winners. These seven projects receive comprehensive support from key players in Montpellier’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, including the University of Montpellier and its incubator Initium, the technology transfer agency (SATT) AxLR, and the Montpellier Business Incubator (BIC).
These results demonstrate the region’s scientific strength as well as the effectiveness of the support programs offered to innovators, from research laboratories through to the creation of high-potential startups.
Five i-Lab projects and two i-PhD projects
The i-Lab competition aims to identify and support the best technology startups emerging from French research. Once again this year, projects from Montpellier stand out for the diversity of their fields of application and their potential impact.
I-Lab Grand Prize 2026
NovaSorb
Based on an innovation developed at the European Membrane Institute in Montpellier, NovaSorb offers a technology designed to capture micropollutants in water, particularly PFAS, which are known as “forever chemicals.” This solution addresses a major environmental challenge related to preserving the quality of water resources. A project that won the 2026 Innovation Award from the PUI in Montpellier.
The Winners of the I-Lab 2026 Competition
Kervalion
Based on research conducted at the European Membrane Institute in Montpellier, Kervalion develops customized 3D-printed grafts for pre-implant dental surgery. Using the patient’s anatomical data, its technology aims to simplify bone reconstruction, reduce the number of surgical procedures, and improve patient comfort while promoting effective bone regeneration. Learn more: www.kervalion.com
Aceso Therapeutics
Born out of research conducted at the Montpellier Center for Cell Biology Research and later at the PhyMedExp laboratory on cystic fibrosis, Aceso Therapeutics is developing a new generation of inhaled therapies. Its flagship program, ACT-101, aims to provide a therapeutic solution for patients who do not respond, or respond only partially, to currently available treatments. A project that won the 2025 Innovation Award from the PUI in Montpellier. Learn more: www.aceso-therapeutics.com
Aegis Bio
Based on research conducted at the Montpellier Institute of Neuroscience, Aegis Bio is developing an adjuvant therapy designed to prevent the toxic effects of certain chemotherapy treatments, particularly those containing cisplatin. The technology aims to protect healthy tissues—particularly the auditory, nervous, and renal systems—without compromising the effectiveness of cancer treatments. Learn more: www.aegisbio.bio
Theralan
Driven by research conducted at the Montpellier Institute of Functional Genomics, Theralan is developing a new generation of therapeutic antibodies based on a mechanism of action stemming from a paradigm shift in therapeutic targeting, enabling more precise targeting of tumor cells to improve treatment efficacy while reducing side effects. Learn more: www.theralan.com
Dedicated to entrepreneurship among doctoral students and recent PhD graduates, the i-PhD competition takes place prior to the i-Lab and i-Nov programs. It aims to foster the creation of startups originating from research laboratories and to support the transition from academic research to industrial development. Both projects are incubated at the Initium incubator at the University of Montpellier.
2026 I-PhD Grand Prize
Tyka Therapeutics
An innovation stemming from the Montpellier Institute for Cancer Research , the Tyka Therapeutics project—led by Gaëlle Guillon—is based on simultaneously targeting tumor and stromal cells in the treatment of aggressive stromal cancers for which there are currently no effective therapies.
I-PhD 2026 Award Winner
Fetlab
An innovation from the Montpellier Laboratory of Computer Science, Robotics, and Microelectronics, the Fetlab project—led by Sarah Belgaid—aims to develop CNTFET-based wearable sensors for rapid, on-site, simultaneous detection of multiple PFAS.
All of these awards attest to the dynamism of public research in Montpellier and its ability to foster innovations that address major challenges in health, the environment, and industrial transition.
A collective success driven by local stakeholders
These successes are also the result of coordinated support from several local organizations. Through the Montpellier University Innovation Hub, project leaders benefit from a support program designed to accelerate the transformation of research findings into innovations with significant economic and societal potential.
This year’s winning projects were able to draw on the complementary expertise of PUI partners—including the University of Montpellier, SATT AxLR, and the Montpellier Business Incubator—to develop their commercialization strategy, strengthen their business model, and prepare for market entry.
This collective momentum is driven by a shared ambition: to make the Montpellier region a national leader in technology transfer, innovation, and the emergence of deep-tech companies. By bringing together complementary expertise at every stage of the innovation process—from the emergence of scientific findings to the creation and development of startups—the PUI partners contribute to the region’s reputation and appeal.
TheUM , and the PUI in Montpellier
A research-intensive university with more than 54,000 students and 5,200 staff members, the University of Montpellier (UM) is an experimental public institution ranked among the world’s top 200 universities in the Shanghai Ranking. Awarded the I-Site (Science–Innovation–Regions–Economy Initiative) designation in 2022, with a focus on the major societal challenges of “feeding, healing, and protecting,” theUM spans a wide range of academic disciplines.
It also coordinates the Montpellier University Innovation Hub (PUI), which brings together 14 founding members: educational institutions, national research organizations, healthcare facilities, and the technology transfer acceleration company (SATT) AxLR. The PUI also relies on the involvement of local governments and stakeholders in the regional innovation ecosystem. It aims to strengthen collaborative research, accelerate technology transfer, and foster the emergence and development of research-based startups. Learn more: www.umontpellier.fr/pui
Initium, an incubator for theUM
Initium supports students, doctoral candidates, researchers, and staff at the Montpellier University Research Institute (PUI) who wish to commercialize their research by launching an innovative startup. Available starting from the ideation phase, this program is built on several complementary components: training designed to build skills and advance levels of technological readiness (TRL) and business readiness (BRL), individualized support for each project leader, and networking events with the innovation ecosystem. Learn more: incubateur-initium.edu.umontpellier.fr
SATT AxLR
SATT AxLR is a technology transfer acceleration company. It specializes in the development and commercialization of innovative projects stemming from public research. It works with most of the public research laboratories located in Eastern Occitanie, one of the most dynamic regions in France and Europe, home to nearly 200 laboratories and nearly 11,000 researchers and research staff. Since its creation, SATT AxLR has funded more than 200 innovation programs, invested more than €80 million, signed more than 220 technology transfer agreements with companies, and supported 150 startups. Learn more: www.axlr.com
BIC in Montpellier
For nearly 40 years, the Montpellier BIC has supported founders of innovative startups in validating, structuring, and developing their projects. It has helped foster the growth of most of the region’s tech champions, which have gone on to become job-creating companies and market leaders, such as Swile, Teads, MedinCell, Kinvent, Cilcare, Pradeo, and Bulane. A recognized leader in entrepreneurial support, it is regularly ranked among the world’s best incubators. In 2026, the Montpellier BIC ranked among the top 10 in Europe on the Financial Times’ “Europe’s Leading Start-up Hubs 2026” list, and was ranked first in France outside of Paris.
As a key player in innovation in the region, the BIC offers comprehensive and personalized support at every stage of a company’s creation and growth. The 140 business leaders currently in the incubation program benefit from one-on-one support, strategic advice, skills-building programs, smoother integration into the entrepreneurial, economic, and scientific ecosystems, as well as tailored workspace solutions that foster business growth. Learn more: https://www.bic-montpellier.com/