Montpellier University shines at the National Innovation Competition thanks to the support of the Montpellier University Innovation Cluster
This year, the University of Montpellier, leader of the University Innovation Cluster, stands out on the national stage at the 2024 Innovation Competition with five i-Lab winners and two i-PhD winners. These promising startups demonstrate the effectiveness of the structured support put in place by the member institutions of Montpellier's University Innovation Cluster (PUI) to transform research into ambitious future businesses.
Accelerating momentum for innovation in Montpellier
Over the past two years, Montpellier had only one winner in the prestigious i-Lab competition. But in 2024, five projects from Montpellier stood out on the national stage, reflecting the rise of local innovation and the influence of the University of Montpellier. Among these winners, Sarah Colombani stands out in particular, winning both the i-Lab competition and the i-PhD grand prize in the same year, a rare achievement that illustrates the impact of the measures put in place to support young researchers in Montpellier.
A doctor since July 2023, Sarah Colombani is the founder of OcciCal Therapeutics, a start-up in the making that aims to develop a treatment for a common respiratory disorder in hospitals. Already positioning itself as a future success story in the field of biotechnology, her project has benefited from a structured and comprehensive approach. She has joined key programs such as the Start Lab Santé at the Montpellier BIC and the PEPITE Deeptech program, which have helped her structure her project from the outset. At the same time, Montpellier University Hospital supported her through the Montpellier Innovation Booster (BIM) and the Biology-Health Innovation Award, which she won in July 2024. Finally, her project is co-supported by the INITIUM incubator and Montpellier's BIC, two essential pillars that provide personalized support at every stage of her business creation.
An exemplary ecosystem of guidance and support
The Montpellier University Innovation Cluster (PUI) plays a central role in this collective success. By bringing together key players such as the INITIUM incubator, the Montpellier BIC, and Inserm Transfert, and by supporting initiatives such as BIM and the PEPITE Deeptech program, the PUI has strengthened its support for local researchers and entrepreneurs. This synergy has been decisive for projects such as OcciCal Therapeutics, which perfectly illustrates the impact of this collaboration.
"This success demonstrates the major role played by Montpellier's PUI, which brings together the expertise of our local and national partners. It enables researchers and young entrepreneurs to transform their projects into innovative and competitive businesses that address the three major challenges of 'Feeding, Caring, and Protecting,'" emphasizes UM President Philippe Augé.
Successes that add up
Among the other winners of the 2024 edition, Robin ALAUZE, a graduate of the University of Montpellier, stood out during the ceremony by presenting LineUp Ocean, which aims to develop solutions for ocean conservation. This project has been supported since its inception by the PUI's "Companies and Campus" program, in conjunction with the Geosciences Laboratory (UM/CNRS). Currently in the market launch phase, LineUp Ocean also benefits from the support of SATT AxLR, further proof of the effectiveness of the Montpellier ecosystem in supporting innovative projects.
In addition, Gwenaelle Donadieu, a young legal researcher, won the i-PhD competition for her NumDiag project, a transparency tool designed to strengthen consumer confidence in digital services. Thanks to the support of INITIUM and CNRS Innovation, this project demonstrates the diversity of innovations emerging from the Montpellier ecosystem.
Montpellier, a key player in innovation in France
The impressive results of the 2024 innovation competitions confirm Montpellier's growing appeal as a major hub for research and innovation in France. Through its initiatives and coordination of the region's innovation ecosystem, Montpellier's University Research Institute (PUI) plays a key role in promoting deep tech and supporting researchers in creating companies with high technological potential.
Certified University Innovation Hub by the Ministry of Higher Education and Research in 2023, the University of Montpellier brings together a consortium of 21 partners from the research, academic, and socio-economic communities in Montpellier. Their common goal is to encourage partnership-based research, develop technology transfer, and stimulate business creation around a threefold theme: "Feed-Care-Protect." The UM stands out among the best French universities as the second French university in Reuters' ranking of the most innovative universities.