Join the PEPITE Deeptech 2026 class!

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

The PEPITE Deeptech 2026 program is aimed at students,
PhD students, young researchers and alumni with innovative projects in the fields of food, healthcare and protection.

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

A customized support program

For 4 months, participants benefit from :

personalized support to turn an idea into a high-impact innovation project;
group training sessions that enable participants to apply the concepts they have learned to their own innovative projects;
exchanges with experts, entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs from the world of innovation and entrepreneurship / or from the innovation ecosystem;
pitch exercises to help you present your project with impact and conviction;
a collaborative environment for inspiration, sharing and advancing your project.

Program objectives

discover scientific entrepreneurship and its opportunities;
support projects applying for innovation competitions (i-PhD, i-Lab, etc.);
identify the appropriate financing for each stage in the maturation of their innovative project;
transform a research idea into an impact product or service.

Target audience

The program is open to :

students ;
doctoral researchers ;
young doctors (up to five years after completion of thesis);
alumni of the University of Montpellier and partner institutions of the Pôle Universitaire d'Innovation.

Conditions of eligibility

be available to participate in weekly training sessions, workshops and
group events organized between February and May 2026;
submit an innovative idea related to one of the three thematic pillars:
feed, care, protect;
pre-selection of applications by a committee of experts in
innovation and science, from the 5 research clusters of the University of
Montpellier (Agriculture, Environment, Biodiversity, Biology-Health, Chemistry,
Mathematics, Computer Science, Physics, Systems, Social Sciences) on the basis
of the following criteria: innovative character and originality of the project;
motivation and availability of the project leader;
individual exchanges with shortlisted candidates before the
final decision on program entry.

Learning formats :

collective entrepreneurship training: weekly 2-hour sessions to structure and develop a Deeptech project;
practical workshops: 1 hour a week of practical exercises to help you make direct progress on your own project (pitches, market research, roadmap, legal protection, etc.);
DeepTalks: project presentations 2 to 3 times over the course of 4 months in front of experts to be challenged, advised and guided in the development of their innovation;
convivial moments and networking.

Training courses

Entrepreneurial posture : develop the mindset and personal
skills needed to drive a Deeptech project forward.
Roadmap and objectives : structure the approach and plan the key stages of
their innovation.
Market research : identify needs, target market, competition...
Legal and intellectual protection: securing innovation (patents,
trademarks, contracts, NDAs).
Financing : identify the right sources of financing for each stage of the project
and optimize your financial strategy.
Pitch : learn how to effectively promote and present an innovative project to
partners or investors.

Program benefits

access to a dedicated coworking space ;
networking with the Initium community (alumni, incubates, partners,
experts);
participation in exclusive events: Challenge Day, Ini'Dej,
networking sessions, etc.