Booster Innovation Montpellier (B.I.M.)
The Montpellier Innovation Booster (BIM) is one of the flagship programs of the Montpellier University Innovation Hub (PUI). Serving as a true springboard and accelerator, it supports project leaders in structuring and developing innovative initiatives, with the goal of launching a business or transferring technology to the socio-economic sector.
All project leaders participating in the BIM program receive training focused on innovation as well as personalized support aimed at strengthening and accelerating their development, while the most promising initiatives may also receive financial support.
What BIM Offers
- training and coaching sessions with innovation experts from the University Innovation Hub (PUI);
- tailored post-training support provided by a mentor from one of the PUI’s organizations (incubator, technology transfer organization, partnerships and commercialization department, etc.);
- financial support, averaging 28,000 € for the winners;
- networking with other leaders of innovative projects, as well as with the Montpellier PUI ecosystem;
- the opportunity to apply for the Starthèse Program run bythe Ministry of Higher Education and Research (MESR) (open only to doctoral students and early-career researchers).
The BIM Process
Eligible Audience
- staff at the PUI's research units and healthcare facilities;
- students, provided that their project is supported by a research unit within the I-SITE Excellence Program (PEI);
- Project leaders outside the scope of I-SITE, provided they demonstrate a substantial connection to a PEI research unit.
Key Figures and the Impact of BIM
Key Figures
- 128 innovative projects supported
- 50 funded projects
- €1,447,200 invested
BIM: A Real Catalyst
- 16 start-ups founded
- 15 projects in the early and later stages of development (SATT– CNRS)
- 3 iLab (BPI France) winners
- 6 iPhD awardees (BPI France)
- 5 patents filed
Upcoming BIM Sessions
- BIM July 7, 8, 9, 2026 – Registration deadline: June 12, 2026
Location: Site Unique de Biologie (SUB) - BIM October 20, 21, 22, 2026
Register
The Winners of the Montpellier Innovation Booster
2026 Winners
- DISHI, Adrien DECORSIERE (IRIM: CNRS, UM): Designing an inhibitor that targets the hepatitis B virus to specifically block the degradation of SMC5/6.
- Pupil Analyser, Cyril GIOVANNANGELI (PhyMedExp: INSERM, CNRS, UM): Detecting an imbalance in the autonomic nervous system through analysis of iris movements.
- VaxInsect, Ikbal Agah INCE, and Guillaume CAMBRAY (DGIMI: INRAE, UM): Evolution-guided antiviral vaccination strategies for sustainable insect production.
- A-Eye SPIN, Pauline PUTEAUX (LIRMM: CNRS, UM): An AI application that analyzes eye movements to diagnose vertigo and quickly refer patients for care.
- Stab-mRNA, Jim ZOLADEK (IRIM: CNRS, UM): Drawing inspiration from viral mechanisms to stabilize RNA and make vaccines more effective and less expensive.
2025 Winners
- Comptadventure, Guillaume Dumas (MRM): Develop a mobile app designed to provide a fun introduction to accounting.
- ISO-HBZ, Laurent Chaloin, and Jean-Marie Peloponese (IRIM): Developing inhibitors of the viral HBZ protein for the treatment of adult T-cell leukemia (ATLL).
- Biofunctool App, Jim Felix-Faure (CIRAD): Developing a soil health assessment app based on the “Biofunctool” methodology.
- BioSanThé, Nicolas SOMMERER (SPO): Developing a local supply chain for the aeroponic cultivation of tea plants (Camellia sinensis) at the
Montpellier, to naturally increase the production of high-value-added bioactive compounds. - DM Connect, Laure Roux (Nîmes University Hospital): to develop an app designed to improve home care for patients with invasive medical devices.
- GENECAV, Eric Kremer (IGMM: CNRS, UM): design of CAV-2 vectors for gene therapy targeting numerous retinal diseases.
- GLIOPROFILE, Emmanuelle LE BARS and Jérémy DEVERDUN (CHUM): An artificial intelligence tool for the segmentation and automated volumetric tracking of low-grade glioma
on MRI, aimed at improving clinical management and therapeutic research. - i-Senex, Roger ELOIFLIN (IGMM): Developing an innovative therapeutic approach to inhibit senescence by targeting the pro-inflammatory “
” pathway induced by cytosolic single-stranded DNA - PEASY, Xavier Garric (IBMM: CNRS, ENSCM): Managing male urinary incontinence using a non-adhesive urine collection device.
- SPECTROME, Mehdi Morchikh (INM: INSERM, CHU M): to develop freeze-dried solutions for the external quality control of biomarkers for various diseases, particularly neurodegenerative diseases.
- WATERLAND, Sanaa Daakour (IEM): Designing biomimetic membranes containing artificial water channels for desalination.
- WERIN, Patrick Sentis (MRM): to propose a decision-support tool capable of automatically generating the most relevant portfolios based on preferences entered by users.
2024 Winners
- DocSimulator, Kevin Yauy, and Emmanuel Guenou (School of Medicine): Creating a training platform for structured clinical exams (ECOS).
- Halt O’Plast, Youen Boennec, and Fanny Sterna (IES: CNRS, UM): Reducing Microplastic Ingestion by Humans.
- EPINE, Sarah Braga Cohen (IRCGM: INSERM, ICM, UM): Developing a predictive test to assess the response to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy in patients with lung cancer.
- NEPHROSHAPE, Nicolas Taulet (CRBM: CNRS, UM): Preventing kidney damage using fluorescence imaging and artificial intelligence on 3D models.
- ProCONNECT, Noémie RANISAVLJEVIC and Alexandra ALVERGNE (Montpellier University Hospital and ISEM: UM, CNRS, IRD): Designing a biosensor to monitor women’s hormone levels, including progesterone, in real time.
- QVD, David SANCHEZ (IES: CNRS, UM): To develop a portable device for the early detection of viruses (dengue, chikungunya) based on piezoelectric MEMS (MicroElectroMechanical Systems) made of epitaxial quartz, capable of detecting very low viral loads before symptoms appear.
- CURE CMT, David VIRIEUX (ICGM: CNRS, ENSCM,UM): To develop new chemical entities (NCEs) that target a receptor to treat Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2A, an inherited peripheral neuropathy for which there is currently no cure.
- PLASMODETECT, Grégoire PASQUIER (Montpellier University Hospital): To develop a mobile app incorporating an object detection algorithm to automatically identify Plasmodium species in blood smears, with the aim of facilitating malaria diagnosis, particularly in resource-limited areas.
- REVOLVER, Magali GARY-BOBO (IBMM: CNRS, ENSCM, UM): Developing an innovative photosensitizing molecule to visualize and destroy cells infected with human papillomavirus (HPV) using photodynamic therapy (PDT).
- SMARTBAC, Diego CATTONI (CBS: CNRS, INSERM, UM): To develop an innovative bacterial encapsulation technology that enables therapeutic bacteria to specifically colonize tumors while evading the immune system, in order to deliver anticancer agents locally in a targeted, safe, and effective manner.
- SONORT AID, Mustapha SEBBANE – Patrick FAFET (Montpellier University Hospital): To develop noninvasive tools for detecting respiratory diseases based on respiratory sounds.
2023 Winners
- CLAMPS, Hamza El Jjouaoui (LIRMM: CNRS, UM): Developing a 3D printer to produce complex structures made of silicone.
- METHALGUES, Louis Cornette de Saint Cyr (IEM ENSCM, UM, CNRS): Developing a bioprocess for the recovery of digestate from anaerobic digestion.
- NRJ Verte, Erwan Jean Baptiste (IEM ENSCM, UM, CNRS): Generating green hydrogen through water electrolysis.
- Plant Valo, Fangala Hamidou Coulibaly (MIVEGEC: CNRS, IRD, UM): developing natural extracts for the bioprotection of populations.
- IDDSI Recipe App, Caroline Chapolard and Elisa Guillaume (CHU-M): Creating a mobile app featuring recipes categorized by IDDSI texture levels.
- Inseparable, Dorian Gregoire (CHU M): Optimizing relationships between family members and healthcare providers in the intensive care unit using specialized software.
- BsAB SWEEP, Marie-Alix Poul, Ikrame Dadi, Alexandra Lefevre (IRCM: INSERM, ICM, UM): Eliminating soluble molecules with pro-tumor activity in the microenvironment of solid tumors using the tumor cells themselves.
- NecroSTOP, Diana Penarete Vargas and Arnault Graindorge (LPHI: IRCM, INSERM, UM): exploring 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.
- OcciCalTherapeutics, Sarah Colombani (PhyMedExp: INSERM, CNRS, UM): to develop a preventive treatment for a respiratory condition that occurs during mechanical ventilation in intensive care.
- The Seed Ship, Sophie Spring (MRM: UM): Analyzing companies’ actions and structured documents using large language models (LLMs) and focusing on environmental impact.
2022 Winners
- Picolect, Lisette Ibanez (CEE-M: INRAE, CNRS, InstitutAgro, UM): Managing bio-based waste in multi-unit 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): to analyze leukocyte marker expression profiles for screening and diagnosis in hospitalized patients.
- THOR EYES, Jimmy Teixeira (LMGC: CNRS, UM): to design a 360° stereo-correlation video system to measure deformation movements on the surface of living organisms.
- Low-Grade Glioma and Second-Generation Mini-Brain, Jean-Philippe Hugnot (IGF: CNRS, UM, INSERM): developing a 3D platform to study interactions between tumor cells and neurons, identify biomarkers, and develop new therapies.
- PARXEL, Rémi Vezy (AMAP: IRD, CIRAD, INRAE, CNRS, UM): to provide crop simulation tools for companies developing field management applications for farmers and agricultural cooperatives.
- OPTICOURSES, Amélie Fuchs (MOISA: UM, InstitutAgro, IRD, INRAE, CIRAD): helping consumers eat better while reducing their environmental impact, without spending more.
2021 Winners
2020 Winners
- Quinoa-Div, Didier Bazile (SENS: CIRAD, IRD, UPVM): to develop a gluten-free bread made primarily from quinoa.
- Nextmat3D, Habib Belaid (IEM CNRS, UM, ENSCM): developing innovative advanced materials through additive manufacturing and 3D printing for applications in healthcare, aerospace, and electronics.
