I-lab 2018: 64 laureates to the national contest for deep tech innovation

All audiences

Inventing the world of tomorrow. Such is the challenge of the French Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, the authority that has been trying hard for 20 years with the collaboration of i-Lab to boost the creation of innovative companies, to support the development of start-ups and to encourage the spirit of entrepreneurship.

Out of 383 applications received this year, the jury has selected 64 projects including 14 Grand Prizes to award projects included in one of the 10 societal challenges defined by the France-Europe strategic agenda 2020. Mentors support all Grand Prizes to help them in their development (funding-seeking, product launch, etc.).

The contest

With the i-Lab contest, laureate projects receive a funding up to 450,000 Euros. The i-Lab certification is now a reference in innovation and a springboard for deep tech, start-ups specialised in innovative technologies.

The projects

Selected laureates must have defined the concept of their product and be about to create a company, or just have created it. They are all included in themes of the France-Europe Agenda 2020, with a strong presence of projects in relation with the societal challenge this year (31 projects out of 64).

The profiles

Most of the projects coming from public research come from mixed units (universities and research institutions). The laureates' academic level is high: over 90% of applicants studied from 5 years or more, 40% hold a PhD and 30% are engineers.

i-Lab: key figures

Since its creation, the contest launched the creation of 1,914 companies including 70% still operating;
Over 50% of these companies come from public research;
In 20 years, the contest raised 430 million Euros to help 3,412 laureates in the creation or development of their technologic companies;
More and more female entrepreneurs: they represent 20% of laureates this year (from 5% in 2017).