By providing them with well-structured support and funding up to €600,000 per project, the i‑Lab and i‑PhD competitions help deeptech startups take crucial steps towards industrialization and market launch.
🏅 i‑Lab Grand Prizes
Dolinnov - i‑Lab Grand Prize
Biotech startup developing non-addictive solutions for chronic neuropathic and inflammatory pain.
📍 Based in Montpellier - assisted by BIC and SATT AxLR.
TERRATIS - i‑Lab Grand Prize
A pioneering company specializing in biological control of tiger mosquitoes based on the sterile insect technique.
📍 Based in Montpellier - assisted by BIC and SATT AxLR.
aKen Médical - i‑Lab Grand Prize
Company developing an innovative theranostic approach to cancer treatment using nanoparticles that encapsulate radionuclides, thereby increasing treatment efficacy, safety, and precision.
📍 Based at ICM Montpellier.
🎖️ Other i‑Lab 2025 winners
Deep Pulse Neuro
Minimally invasive medical device for brain exploration in epileptic patients.
📍 Project originating from LIRMM – University of Montpellier.
SPIMA Therapeutics
Innovative peptide-based therapies for inflammatory and neoplastic diseases.
📍 Hosted at IHU Immun4cure – Montpellier.
Tellus AI (Celest Science)
Artificial intelligence solution for predicting climate risks and flooding.
📍 Assisted by Montpellier BIC.
Sitera Pharmaceuticals
Development of targeted treatments for Wolfram syndrome and other rare diseases.
📍 Assisted by Montpellier BIC.
🏆 Laureate of i‑PhD 2025
David Sanchez – QVD project (Quartz for Virus Detection)
Developing a portable, ultra-sensitive, and multi-selective device for early virus detection.
📍 Assisted by University of Montpellier, SATT AxLR, the Initium incubator, and the Montpellier PUI network.
These projects reflect the diversity of innovation fields in the Montpellier area, notably health, biotechnology, climate, agroecology, and artificial intelligence. What's more, they are fully aligned with the MedVallée dynamic.
The key role of local players
The success of Montpellier's winners in these competitions is the result of synergy between:
- Montpellier BIC, a startup incubator recognized worldwide for its expertise.
- SATT AxLR, whose mission is to promote the results of public-sector research.
- University of Montpellier, a driving force in scientific research.
- Eurobiomed, a competitiveness cluster in the health field.
- Montpellier PUI (University Innovation Hub), a catalyst for innovative projects.
- Initium, an incubator dedicated to research-based projects.
These awards further demonstrate the strength of the local ecosystem, supported by organizations such as Montpellier BIC, SATT AxLR, University of Montpellier, Immun4cure IHU, Initium incubator, along with the University Innovation Hub (PUI) and Eurobiomed.
