What is the i-Lab Innovation Contest?
Since 1999, the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research organizes each year a competition to create innovative technology companies: the i-Lab innovation competition.
The aim of i-Lab is to detect and support business projects - pre-creation or start-up phase - with significant potential for growth and impact from innovative technologies. Bpifrance and its partners provide additional financial support.
Financing supports the R&D program and market research related to it. Visit terms and conditions of support for the i-Lab competition are :
- The eligible expenditure is limited to €1 M
- Assistance is provided in the form of grants up to a maximum of 600 k€.for a maximum project duration of 3 years.
Since its creation, the i-Lab innovation competition has helped some 2,500 prizewinners.
Am I eligible for i-Lab? Test your eligibility in 1 minute for free!
What are the i-Lab eligibility criteria?
The project owner may be :
- A company : if the company is created, it must not be more than two years old. It must not be more than 25% owned by another company. The applicant must be a shareholder in the company.
- At the project stage (prior to company creation)
The project must involve an innovative technology with an established proof of concept.
In their i-Lab application, project leaders must :
- Demonstrate market potential and economic viability;
- Showcase a complementary team and demonstrate the candidate's ability to carry out the project;
- Master the intellectual property and freedom to operate;
- and demonstrate positive environmental and social impacts.
Although the criterion of public research is no longer explicit in the i-Lab competition specifications, the link with academic laboratories, in a logic of technology transfer or partnerships, remains a bonus in the evaluation of projects.
When should you apply for the 26th i-Lab competition?
The 26th i-Lab competition closed in February 2024. This is a recurring call for projects: every year, applications open during the winter period.
For the 27th i-Lab competition, applications should logically open in November 2024 and close in February 2025, with precise dates to be announced by the end of 2024.
Our experts are at your disposal to accompany you and maximize your chances of success. Book a 20-minute appointment with one of our grants and subsidies experts!
