I-Lab Competition:
A real springboard for Deep Tech entrepreneurs, the i-Lab Competition was launched in 1999 by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation to promote the results of public research through the creation of technology companies. It is organized in all French regions as well as in the overseas departments and territories and is open to anyone with an innovative project to create a technology-intensive business in any sector.
The competition, funded by the ministry and supplemented by the Innovation and Industry Fund, will this year provide up to €20 million in support for the creation of deep tech start-ups. The grant, intended to finance the research and development program for the finalization of the innovative technological product, process, or service, may reach up to €600,000.
For this 21st edition, the national jury selected 75 winners from among the 468 finalists. Start-ups supported by SATTs performed well, with 24 of the 75 winning projects coming from this group. The jury also awarded 10 Grand Prizes to the most outstanding projects addressing one of society's major challenges.
Among these winners are two start-ups supported by SATT Nord.
- Axorus, led by Jean Damien Louise (Neurovision project: implantable artificial retina for patients with dry AMD based on a breakthrough electronic neuron). Axorusis developing an implantable artificial retina for patients with dry AMD, which affects 10 million people worldwide. This retina is based on a breakthrough electronic neuron developed by the CNRS. It is a standalone implant that allows patients to regain better visual acuity than competing products. The preclinical phase (validation in animals) of this artificial retina will begin in 2019. Ultimately, Axorus plans to use the underlying artificial neuron technology to offer a range of implants for other neurostimulation applications (sleep apnea, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, stroke, etc.), either directly or with partners, to build a new industrial sector. Contact: jeandamien.louise@gmail.com
- G-LyTE, led by Franck Barath (Concerto-H project: new ultra-stable, high-efficiency electrolytes for dye-sensitized solar cells). G+Lytehas created three new generations of electrolytes for dye-sensitized solar cells. This third-generation technology is among the most promising for smart grids, mobile electronics, and electric mobility. Dye-sensitized cells perform particularly well in low-light conditions (pollution, indoors, indirect exposure, etc.). Simple and undemanding compared to silicon panels, their production has a favorable carbon footprint and can be localized in Europe. The company is scheduled to be created in the summer of 2019, and the pilot line will enable the production of more than 1,000 m² of panels in the first year, as well as accelerated aging tests for the development of electrolyte solutions. Contact: franck.barath@gmail.com
Congratulations to both of these startups!!!