Join the PEPITE Deeptech 2026 cohort!

[Call for Proposals] - Published on November 13, 2025 in Entrepreneurship

The PEPITE Deeptech 2026 program is open to students—
, doctoral candidates, and young researchers—as well as alumni who are developing an innovative project in the following areas: food, healthcare, and protection.

This program supports a new cohort of candidates
who wish to transform their research findings or technological ideas into
high-impact projects.

A Customized Support Program

For 4 months, participants will receive:

personalized support to turn an idea into an innovative project with a meaningful impact;
group training sessions that allow participants to apply the concepts they have learned to their own innovative projects;
opportunities to engage with experts and entrepreneurs from the worlds of innovation and entrepreneurship, or from the innovation ecosystem;
pitch exercises to help you learn how to present your project with impact and conviction;
a collaborative environment where you can find inspiration, share ideas, and move your project forward.

Program Objectives

discover scientific entrepreneurship and the opportunities it offers;
provide support for projects applying to innovation competitions (i-PhD, i-Lab, etc.);
identify the appropriate funding options for each stage of their innovative project's development;
turn a research-based idea into a product or service that makes an impact.

Target audience

The program is open to:

students;
doctoral researchers ;
young researchers (up to five years after completing their dissertation);
Alumni of the University of Montpellier and partner institutions of the University Innovation Hub.

Eligibility Requirements

be available to participate in weekly training sessions, workshops, and
group events held between February and May 2026;
Submit an innovative idea related to one of the three thematic pillars:
nourish, care for, protect;
Preliminary screening of applications by a committee of experts in
innovation and the sciences, drawn from the five research clusters at the University of
Montpellier (Agriculture, Environment, Biodiversity, Biology-Health, Chemistry,
Mathematics, Computer Science, Physics, Systems, Social Sciences) on the
basis of the following criteria: the project’s innovative nature and originality;
the motivation and availability of the project leader;
Individual interviews with candidates who have passed the preliminary screening, prior to the final decision regarding admission to the program
.

Learning formats:

Group entrepreneurship training: weekly 2-hour sessions to structure and develop a Deeptech project;
Hands-on workshops: practical exercises lasting 1 hour per week that allow participants to make direct progress on their own projects (pitches, market research, roadmaps, legal protection, etc.);
DeepTalks: project presentations 2 to 3 times over the course of 4 months in front of experts, who provide feedback, advice, and guidance on the development of their innovations;
social gatherings and networking.

Training Areas

Entrepreneurial Mindset: Developing the mindset and personal
skills needed to lead and advance a Deeptech project.
Roadmap and objectives: to structure the process and plan the key steps for
their innovation.
Market Research: Identifying Needs, the Target Market, the Competition…
Legal and Intellectual Property Protection: Safeguarding Innovation (patents,
trademarks, contracts, NDAs).
Funding: Identify appropriate funding sources for each stage
of the project and optimize the financial strategy.
Pitch: Learn how to effectively showcase and present an innovative project to partners or investor
.

Benefits of the Program

access to a dedicated coworking space;
connections with the Initium community (alumni, incubatees, partners, expert
);
Participation in exclusive events: Challenge Day, Ini’Dej, “
” networking sessions, etc.