Startups innovantes : Le concours i-Lab 2026 est ouvert, candidatez avant le 3 février !

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, sustainable technology companies in France: 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.

Suis-je éligible à i-Lab ?

Nos experts sont là pour y répondre, prenez RDV pour un échange

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, sustainable 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;
  • Afficher des impacts environnementaux et sociaux positifs ainsi que des critères de durabilité dans la conception et la mise en œuvre du projet.

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.

Quand candidater à la 28e édition du concours i-Lab ?

La 28e édition du concours est à présent ouverte, vous avez jusqu’au 3 février pour candidater.

Would you like to check that your project meets the scheme's specifications and prepare your application with complete peace of mind?

Our experts are at your disposal to accompany you and maximize your chances of success. Book a 20-minute appointment with one of our experts in Aid and Subsidies !

Accelerate your projects and your innovation by taking advantage of public grants and subsidies!

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