Entrepreneurship

The University of Montpellier has established itself as a true driving force behind innovation and entrepreneurship.

Whether they are students seeking a rewarding career path, doctoral students eager to make a societal impact through their research, or researchers choosing to commercialize their work under the PACTE Act, the University of Montpellier supports everyone who wishes to start a business.

Programs Offered byUM Support Future Entrepreneurs

• INITIUM: The University of Montpellier’s incubator, created through the consolidation of the I-SITE Program of Excellence and its designation as a University Innovation Hub, is dedicated to future entrepreneurs. It offers a wide range of services and support tailored to every stage of starting a business, from team building to intellectual property.
• PEPITE Deeptech: This program, managed by the INITIUM incubator, is designed for students, doctoral candidates, and early-career researchers with DeepTech projects. It offers a stimulating environment for developing these innovative initiatives.

The University of Montpellier is part of a major entrepreneurial network in Occitanie

The University of Montpellier is part of a diverse entrepreneurial ecosystem and is a member of ResO IP+, which is supported by the Occitanie Region and AD’OCC. This network brings together incubators and business accelerators in Occitanie, offering opportunities for networking and professional development.

The University Innovation Hub (PUI), led by the University of Montellier, plays a key role in coordinating and liaising with the network’s initiatives, such asAgroVallée Incubation, Extracteur de l’Innovation, SATT AxLR, BIC de Montpellier, CNRS Innovation, Inserm Transfert, INRAE Transfert, and Inria Startup Studio, thereby optimizing the support and resources available to the various target audiences.

Financing Solutions for Startups

The University of Montpellier offers internal programs such as the Montpellier Innovation Booster, which is designed to provide financial resources for entrepreneurial projects originating from the university community.

The INITIUM incubator helps entrepreneurs identify and secure external funding through partnerships with organizations such as Bpifrance.

It also offers support in preparing for competitive exams and specific funding opportunities such as the French Tech Lab Grant, i-PhD, and i-Lab.

Events Organized at the University of Montpellier for Innovators

• The Innovation Afterwork: the University of Montpellier’s flagship annual event, which honors the winners of the Innovation Awards and brings together partners of the I-Site Excellence Program, researchers, doctoral students, and companies.
• The DeepTech Tour: In collaboration with Bpifrance, the University of Montpellier co-organizes the annual DeepTech Tour. This event brings together researchers, entrepreneurs, and investors to catalyze innovation and promote technology-based entrepreneurship in the region. It offers an exceptional showcase for advances in DeepTech and creates opportunities for strategic partnerships.

The University of Montpellier, a key player in the innovation ecosystem, offers a wide range of programs, support services, and partnerships to those who wish to turn their ideas into impact.