VivaTech 2026: Six startups supported by the PUI are expanding into the global market
From June 17 to 20, 2026, the University Innovation Hub (PUI) in Montpellier was in Paris for the VivaTechtrade show, alongside the Occitanie Region. This was an opportunity for six PUI startups to forge new strategic relationships with French and international business partners.
Just one month after the SantExpo 2026 trade show, the PUI once again participated in another must-attend event for technological innovation: the VivaTech trade show in Paris, June 17–20. As it has every year since 2016, the event drew 200,000 visitors, providing significant visibility to the startups supported by the PUI, which were able to showcase their innovative research-based solutions.
At the trade show, the PUI was also represented by Initium, the University of Montpellier’s academic incubator. Initium supports innovators in commercializing public research by guiding them through the early stages of launching their startups.
Meeting with Foreign Investors
With a global reach, the VivaTech trade show offers an opportunity for developers of innovative solutions to break into the international market. Laurent Buob experienced this firsthand when he came to present Whisper EF: the first electric hydrofoil boat to combine carbon neutrality with high performance, which he likes to call the “Tesla of the seas.” “The trade show allowed us to make some very concrete connections,” he says .“Some of these will enable us to sell boats in Réunion and New Caledonia. We also met with members of theWIPOto secure global protection for our patent, as well as new investors.” Supported by SATT Axlr and affiliated with Flex Sète Agglopole, Whisper EF is a member of French Tech, Créalia, and the Réseau Initiative.
Stéphane Roulon, CEO of MB Therapeutics, was also in attendance at VivaTech. In partnership with the Montpellier Metropolitan Area, the Ad’occ agency, the Montpellier BIC, and MedVallée, his startup is the first in the world to offer a scalable, industrial-scale solution for the automated production of personalized medications directly in pharmacies.
“VivaTech has helped us expand our reach internationally,” says Stéphane Roulon. “We’ve been able to connect with key players we would have had a very hard time reaching without this kind of opportunity, such as innovation directors at major corporations.”
A Deep Dive into the Deeptech Ecosystem
The startup Beacom also showcased its PUI at VivaTech. Led by Aurélie Perrin, the company develops solutions to improve the effectiveness of natural alternatives to chemical pesticides using its patented microencapsulation technology, which protects and stabilizes fragile biological active ingredients.
According to Aurélie Perrin, participating in VivaTech was a real opportunity to gain exposure: “It’s an exceptional platform to showcase Beacom, gain visibility among innovation leaders, and strengthen strategic relationships, particularly with future clients. ” This visibility will be particularly useful in preparing for a future funding round for Beacom, as well as its next stage of development: the industrialization of its technology. Beacom is already supported by the University of Montpellier, SATT AxLR, the Montpellier BIC, AgroVallée Incubation, Bpifrance, the Occitanie Region / Ad’occ, Agri Sud-Ouest Innovation, Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole, Créalia, Crédit Agricole, IEM, Sud Expé, and CTIFL.
Sébastien Lacaze is the CEO of Look Up Geoscience. His startup has developed Hearthsight: a software solution designed to accelerate the exploration of low-carbon energy sources, such as geothermal energy and natural hydrogen.“VivaTech is the kind of opportunity that allows us to explain to as many people as possible how geoscience helps us better explore carbon-free energy sources, ”explains Sébastien Lacaze. “The event also gave us the chance to meet with financial partners and demonstrate that we are part of the deep tech ecosystem.”
Look Up Geoscience is a partner of the Montpellier Geosciences Laboratory, supported by SATT AxLR and the Montpellier Business Incubator (BIC), with backing from BPI France, the Occitanie Region, the Derbi Cemater Cluster, Innovosud, ESA BIC, and the Avenia Cluster, and is a member of French Tech Méditerranée.
Toward New Opportunities for Growth
For its part, the startup E-Ethylène—which has developed a technology that converts CO2 emissions from industries that are difficult to decarbonize into renewable feedstocks for the chemical industry—was a resounding success at the VivaTech trade show. As its co-founder, Alfonso Moriello, reports: “Our booth was constantly busy. For the first time, industry representatives came directly to us seeking our solution to launch trials, rather than simply gathering information.” E-Ethylène is affiliated with the European Institute of Membranes, supported by Satt-AxLR, and partners with CIC, IFPEN, Ineos, and GRDF.
The latest young startup presented at VivaTech was Polysity. Affiliated with Lirmm and supported by CNRS Innovation, the University of Montpellier, Initium, the Montpellier BIC, and SATT AxLR, the company offers 3D printing of solid silicone parts—a fast and cost-effective alternative to traditional molding for prototyping and small-batch production. Hamza El Jjouaoui, director and co-founder of the startup, is delighted to have been able to participate in the event: “VivaTech was an opportunity to showcase our solution to various players in the innovation ecosystem, including investors, future partners, and prospects.”
For Polysity, whose goal is to “scale up to industrial levels and deploy its solution internationally,” participating in the VivaTech trade show was therefore another opportunity for growth. This underscores the PUI’s commitment to facilitating public-private partnerships and further promoting the innovative talent in the Montpellier area.
