Join the PEPITE Deeptech 2026 promotion!

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

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

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

A tailor-made support program

For four months, participants will benefit from:

personalized support to transform an idea into an innovative project with impact;
group training sessions enabling participants to put the concepts they have learned into practice on their own innovative projects;
opportunities to interact with experts and entrepreneurs from the world of innovation and entrepreneurship or from the innovation ecosystem;
pitch exercises to learn how to present your project with impact and conviction;
a collaborative environment to inspire, share, and advance 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 of their innovative project's development;
turning a research idea into an impactful product or service.

Target audience

The program is open to:

students;
doctoral researchers
young doctors (up to five years after completing their thesis);
alumni of the University of Montpellier and partner institutions of the University Innovation Cluster.

Eligibility requirements

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:
nourish, care for, protect;
Preselection of applications by a committee of experts in innovation and science from the five research centers at the University of
Montpellier (Agriculture, Environment, Biodiversity, Biology-Health, Chemistry,
Mathematics, Computer Science, Physics, Systems, Social Sciences) based on the following criteria: innovative and original nature of the project;
motivation and availability of the project leader;
individual interview with candidates selected during the pre-selection process before the final decision on admission to the program is made.

Learning formats:

group training in entrepreneurship: weekly 2-hour sessions to structure and develop a Deeptech project;
hands-on workshops: practical exercises lasting one hour per week, enabling participants to make direct progress on their own projects (pitches, market research, roadmaps, legal protection, etc.);
DeepTalks: presentations of projects two to three times over the course of four months to experts for feedback, advice, and guidance on developing their innovations;
socializing and networking.

Training areas

al mindset: developing the mindset and personal entrepreneurial skills needed to lead and advance a deep tech project.
Roadmap and objectives: structure the approach and plan the key stages of innova
.
Market research: identifying needs, target markets, competition, etc.
Legal and intellectual property protection: securing innovation (patents, trademarks, contracts, NDAs).
Financing: identify the appropriate sources of financing for each stage
of the project and optimize the financial strategy.
Pitch: learning how to effectively promote and present an innovative project to partner
s or investors.

Benefits of the program

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