Challenge: Reduce the environmental impact and dependence associated with the extraction and refining of rare earth elements.
Solution: An alternative magnetic field purification method that is more energy-efficient and sustainable.
Stage: A startup founded in 2024 based on the work of Bernard Doudin’s team; deep tech—currently undergoing industrialization.
Highlight: 2025 i-Lab Grand Prix.
Challenge: Making surgery safer by improving visibility in the operating room.
Solution: Biocompatible fluorescent coating (NICE technology) that can be applied to instruments and devices for real-time visualization (up to ~1 cm).
Stade: a startup founded in 2024, featuring patented technology developed through academic research led by Andrey Klymchenko.
Key fact: technology developed through five years of research by a multidisciplinary team (IHU, IRCAD, Laboratory of Bioimaging and Pathologies).
Challenge: To make it easier for patients to take their medication and minimize the side effects of treatments (for chronic conditions and cancer).
Solution: A natural, biocompatible, and biodegradable albumin-based material for controlled-release drug delivery devices.
Stage: A startup founded in 2024 based on the research of Benoit Frisch and Philippe Lavalle; R&D—preclinical proof of concept.
Highlight: 2024 i-Lab Grand Prix; €1.3 million raised to revolutionize drug delivery for innovative therapies.
Challenge: To develop new treatment options for neurobehavioral disorders and pain.
Solution: A drug candidate that mimics oxytocin with improved efficacy and selectivity.
Stage: A startup founded in 2024 by Marcel Hibert; currently in the preclinical stage.
Key fact: The result of ~20 years of research; supported by Neurentis plc.
Challenge: Recycle complex plastics that are currently underutilized.
Solution: An electrification process that combines heterogeneous catalysis and electromagnetic induction to produce virgin-quality polymers suitable for food contact.
Stage: startup founded in 2023, industrial pilot (100 kg/day), scaling up in progress.
Key fact: pilot program at Michelin; target of 1–10 metric tons per day announced (launch in 2026).
Challenge: Strengthen the immune response against cancer and prevent relapses in patients with colorectal cancer.
Solution: delivery nanoparticles based on a plant virus that has been modified to target specific cells.
Stage: startup founded in 2023, preclinical stage.
Key milestones: raised €2.7 million (2024); selected as one of “100 Startups to Invest In in 2025” (Challenges); clinical trial target set for 2028.
Challenge: Decarbonizing challenging sectors (aviation, shipping, and the chemical industry) without driving up costs.
Solution: Technology that combines CO₂ capture and conversion in a single step (to produce e-fuels or molecules).
Stage: startup founded in 2023, with development and gradual industrialization.
Key milestone: €5.5 million raised (2024).
Challenge: To facilitate access to biotherapies and improve patients’ quality of life.
Solution: a solution for the subcutaneous administration of biotherapeutics (proof of concept across multiple antibodies).
Stage: startup founded in 2022; preclinical stage.
Key development: Currently raising ~€6 million for regulatory development and a Phase I trial.
Challenge: Rapidly screen and diagnose patients and monitor them at a lower cost.
Solution: Ultra-sensitive fluorescent “nanoantennas” for measuring low concentrations of RNA without enzymes.
Stage: A startup founded in 2022 that emerged from academic research led by Andrey Klymchenko; a deep tech company in the development/pre-commercialization phase.
Key fact: Technology resulting from 10 years of research + 2 ERC grants (>€2 million); selected as one of the “100 Start-ups to Invest In” (2022).
Challenge: Accelerate the discovery of antibodies and therapies (immuno-oncology, cell therapies).
Solution: A platform that enables the isolation of living cells based on what they secrete (patented detection method).
Stage: A startup founded in 2022 based on academic research led by Alain Wagner; commercialization is in the works.
Key development: Seeking investors to provide approximately €3 million to develop the industrial version of the prototype.
Challenge: Treating cancers that are resistant to current therapies.
Solution: “First-in-class” candidates targeting a tumor “burnout” mechanism.
Stage: startup founded in 2021, preclinical stage.
Key milestone: Raised €1.25 million (2023); seeking investors to begin clinical trials; selected as one of the “100 Startups to Invest In” (2023).
Challenge: Treating neuropathic pain, which is often resistant to treatment.
Solution: “first-in-class” compounds for the treatment of chronic pain; development of extracellular FLT3 receptor inhibitors.
Status: A startup founded in 2020 that emerged from academic research led in part by Didier Rognan; clinical development is in the planning stages.
Key milestone: Raised €7 million (2024) to advance the candidate to Phase I; selected as one of the “100 Startups to Invest In” (2018).
Challenge: Improve tumor targeting and minimize side effects.
Solution: dendritic and magnetic nanoparticles that can be delivered via a carrier system and have a controlled size.
Stade: a startup founded in 2019 that grew out of academic research led by Delphine Felder-Flesch and Sylvie Begin-Colin.
Key milestone: Raised €13 million (2025); pilot plant project in Sélestat.
Challenge: Protecting implants and medical devices from bacteria, viruses, and inflammation.
Solution: Coatings made from natural biopolymers with antimicrobial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Status: startup founded in 2019 by Philippe Lavalle; preparations for clinical trials are underway.
Key milestone: 2019 i-Lab Grand Prix; raised €1.4 million (2021).
Challenge: Improving early detection and medical imaging.
Solution: bioluminescent nanomarkers; rapid antigen test (e.g., RAPIDTECH).
Stade: A startup founded in 2019 that grew out of academic research led by Loïc Charbonnière; R&D and production.
Key fact: The test was announced to be comparable to PCR (94% agreement rate based on 1,300 tests); results are available in 15 minutes.
Challenge: Transporting cells, proteins, and blood without damaging them (medical devices).
Solution: Patented “tube-liquid” technology (gentle pumping).
Stage: A startup founded in 2019 that grew out of academic research led by Thomas Hermans; currently in the pre-industrial stage, with the initial market launch of its “Liquid Tube” reactor scheduled for the second quarter of 2025 (MVP).
Key milestones: 2020 i-Lab Grand Prix; raised 920 k€ (2023) and EIC Accelerator (2024).
Challenge: Scale up the use of graphene and decarbonize certain processes (district heating, reduced gas consumption).
Solution: graphene production and applications (heating, conductivity, corrosion protection, etc.) for the aerospace, construction, textile, and healthcare industries.
Stage: startup founded in 2018 based on academic research led by Cuong Pham Huu; industrialization (pilot plant).
Key milestone: 2021 i-Lab Grand Prix; raised €7 million (2024) + planned funding round of over €12 million.
Challenge: Produce molecules faster and more efficiently using compact units.
Solution: AI-driven continuous-flow chemistry (discovery and synthesis).
Stage: startup founded in 2018; industrial development.
Key development: De Dietrich Process Systems became a shareholder (since 2023); a “container”-style microfactory project announced for 2026.
Challenge: To improve the management of chronic sinusitis and rhinitis and pave the way for “nose-to-brain” therapy.
Solution: innovative treatments (nosebleeds/chronic sinusitis) and expansion into neurology.
Stage: startup founded in 2017; clinical stage.
Key milestone: Raised €4.7 million (2023) and then €7 million (2025).
Challenge: To improve the efficacy and tolerability of targeted cancer therapies.
Solution: Stable and controllable antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs).
Stage: A startup founded in 2014 that grew out of academic research led by Alain Wagner; advanced development + industrial partnership.
Key development: Major agreement with GSK announced in 2025 (€307 million for the sale of exclusive rights).
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