Booster Innovation Montpellier (B.I.M.)
As a Pôle Universitaire d'Innovation (PUI), theUniversity of Montpellier contributes to supportinginnovation and enhancing theattractiveness of the region, with the help of its research partners and innovation players.
The Booster Innovation Montpellier (B.I.M.), set up in 2020, is one of the PUI's initiatives to detect and support emerging innovative projects.
Since its creation, the B.I.M. has provided funding for 37 projects, awarding a total of €923,030 to enhance and develop the winning projects.
The objective
The B.I.M. is a call for projects coupled with a training/coaching session.
This is a program to identify innovative projects, open to all themes.
This program is designed to support project development. To this end, we offer :
- Training,
- Coaching,
- A pitch competition,
- Post-BIM support.
This scheme involves all PUI stakeholders: research partners, SATT AxLR experts and structures supporting innovation in the Montpellier ecosystem.
Course of the Booster Innovation Montpellier
- During the two-day training course, supervised by coaches and experts, project leaders take part in workshops, conferences and coaching sessions that introduce them to the different ways of adding value, and the tools and funding available.
- They present a 3-minute pitch followed by 5 minutes of questions, in front of the BIM Jury.
- They then submit their application to the BIM AAP, including their request for funding. Applications are analyzed by specialized advisors, then presented to the COM'IN (investment and innovation committee).
- Winning projects are selected and appropriate support is offered to all applicants.
Winners of the BIM award receive financial assistance determined by the jury on the basis of the project's needs and requirements. Funding is granted to the research unit for a maximum of 2 years.
Eligible public
- Staff of research units and structures dedicated to innovation in the ISITE Program of Excellence (PEI),
- Students from the University of Montpellier (your project must be supported by a research unit that is part of the IAP),
- Project sponsors outside the ISITE perimeter demonstrating a substantial link with an IAP research unit.
The project owner undertakes to attend all 3 days of the session.
Allocated resources
The 2025 budget for the Montpellier Innovation Booster is €250k.
In addition, SATT AxLR is co-financing this action with a dedicated budget of €250k.
The calendar
- BIM June 3, 4, 5, 2025 - Registration deadline: May 5, 2025
Register - BIM, October 6, 7, 8, 2025 - Registration deadline: September 5, 2025
Register
Booster Innovation Montpellier winners
Winners 2025
- DM Connect, Laure Roux (CHU Nîmes): create an application to improve home care for patients with invasive medical devices.
- WERIN, Patrick Sentis (MRM): propose a decision-support tool to automatically generate the most relevant portfolios based on user preferences.
- SPECTROME, Mehdi Morchikh (INM : INSERM, CHU M) :Design lyophilized solutions for external quality control of biomarkers of various pathologies, in particular neurodegenerative diseases.
- PEASY, Xavier Garric (IBMM: CNRS, ENSCM): managing male urinary incontinence with a non-adhesive urine elimination device.
2024 winners
- DocSimulator, Kevin Yauy and Emmanuel Guenou(Faculty of Medicine): creating a training platform for structured clinical examinations (OSCE).
- Halt O'Plast, Youen Boennec and Fanny Sterna (IES: CNRS, UM): reducing human ingestion of microplastics.
- EPINE, Sarah Braga Cohen (IRCGM: INSERM, ICM, UM): developing a predictive test to assess response to anti-PD1/PDL1 immunotherapy in lung cancer patients.
- VERTIGO, Manuel Boissenin(CHU M): creation of an application for first-aid practitioners to improve management of patients suffering from vertigo.
- NEPHROSHAPE, Nicolas Taulet (CRBM: CNRS, UM): preventing kidney damage using fluorescence imaging and artificial intelligence on 3D models.
Winners 2023
- CLAMPS, Hamza El Jjouaoui (LIRMM: CNRS, UM): creating a 3D printing machine to produce complex silicone structures.
- METHALGUES, Louis Cornette de Saint CyrIEM : ENSCM, UM, CNRS): developing a bioprocess for valorizing digestates from methanization.
- NRJ Verte, Erwan Jean BaptisteIEM : ENSCM, UM, CNRS): generating green hydrogen by water electrolysis.
- Plant Valo, Fangala Hamidou Coulibaly (MIVEGEC: CNRS, IRD, UM): adding value to natural extracts for population bioprotection.
- IDDSI recipe application, Caroline Chapolard and Elisa Guillaume(CHU-M): create a mobile application of recipes classified according to IDDSI texture levels.
- Inseparable, Dorian Gregoire(CHU M): optimizing relations between relatives and caregivers in intensive care using specialized software.
- BsAB SWEEP, Marie-Alix Poul, Ikrame Dadi, Alexandra Lefevre (IRCM: INSERM, ICM, UM): Removing soluble pro-tumor molecules from the environment of solid tumors via the tumor cells themselves.
- NecroSTOP, Diana Penarete Vargas and Arnault Graindorge (LPHI: IRCM, INSERM, UM): explore the potential of a protein from Toxoplasma gondii, an intracellular parasite, to prevent the death of the cells it infects.
- THERALAN, Romain Lanotte (IGF: CNRS, UM, INSERM): developing a new class of antibodies targeting HER4 to treat brain tumors.
- OcciCal Therapeutics, Sarah Colombani (PhyMedExp: INSERM, CNRS, UM): develop a preventive treatment for a respiratory pathology arising during mechanical ventilation in intensive care.
- The Seed Ship, Sophie Spring (MRM: UM): analyze corporate actions and structured documents using LLM language models and focusing on environmental impact.
Winners 2022
- Picolect, Lisette Ibanez (CEE-M: INRAE, CNRS, InstitutAgro, UM): managing bio-sourced waste in collective housing.
- CarboZym, Jullien Drone (ICGM: INSERM, ICM, UM): replacing chemical methods with sustainable alternatives using enzyme immobilization.
- Analysis ofleukocyteactivation marker expression profiles, Anne-Sophie Bedin (PCCEI: UM, INSERM): Analyze leukocyte marker expression profiles for screening and diagnosis in hospitalized patients.
- THOR EYES, Jimmy Teixeira (LMGC: CNRS, UM): design a 360° video-stereo-correlation device to measure deformation movements on the surface of living organisms.
- Low-grade glioma and 2nd generation mini-brain, Jean-Philippe Hugnot (IGF: CNRS, UM, INSERM): develop a 3D platform to study interactions between tumor cells and neurons, search for biomarkers and develop new therapies.
- PARXEL, Rémi Vezy (AMAP: IRD, CIRAD, INRAE, CNRS, UM): offer crop simulation tools for companies developing plot management applications for farmers and agricultural cooperatives.
- OPTICOURSES, Amélie Fuchs (MOISA: UM, InstitutAgro, IRD, INRAE, CIRAD): helping consumers to eat better while reducing their environmental impact, without spending more.
Winners 2021
2020 winners
- Quinoa-Div, Didier Bazile (SENS: CIRAD, IRD, UPVM): developing a gluten-free bread made mainly from quinoa.
- Nextmat3D, Habib BelaidIEM : CNRS, UM, ENSCM): developing innovative advanced materials through additive manufacturing and 3D printing for applications in healthcare, aerospace and electronics.
