The I-Lab incubator within the University of Montpellier -
N. Bonzom / Maxele Presse
An incubator for student entrepreneurs has opened at the University of Montpellier.
He supports project leaders through personality coaching, legal or financial advice, courses and by providing them with rooms.
In the region, in 2018, the number of student entrepreneurs jumped 470%.
Caroline, Karl, Tanguy, Théo, Olivier and Maxime share the same dream: that their start-ups hatch.
Six months ago, these student entrepreneurs from the University of Montpellier (Hérault) joined the I-Lab incubator, on the Richter campus.
From now on, they no longer work on the creation of their companies on the sofa of their university room, but in a place where everything is done to support them.
Supported by the university and the Montpellier Management school, this incubator, which tries to reconcile the faculty's benches with the business world, offers them a bunch of tools to boost their projects.
Eight students, in science, sport, pharmacy or management, have benefited from it since March.
View this post on Instagram
Beautiful and long entrepreneurial adventure at the incubator of the University of Montpellier UM I-Lab by MOMA!
A post shared by Incubateur UM I-Lab by MOMA (@incubateur_um_ilab) on Sep 15, 2020 at 10:52 am PDT
Courses, coaching and networking
"We offer incubates to support them through pastilles of individual or group courses, personality coaching or networking," explains Sylvie Sammut, director of the I-Lab incubator.
Master 2 students, for example, will be at their side, in their fields of specialization.
A student in contract law, for example, can come and support the incubates on this topic.
»Student entrepreneurs also have access to co-working spaces and meeting rooms.
As if it was already the premises of their companies.
“To say that we are in an incubator is more professional when we go to canvass people”, assures Théo Aubaterre, holder of a master's degree in sport, who creates Bless your mental, a company that would support athletes teenagers.
"It is a way to approach financers, bankers, to be advised on the financial or legal level, to create a business plan", continues Tanguy Dréan, also a graduate in sport, who carries the Apa Mouv project, aimed at create spaces that facilitate physical activities for people with disabilities.
"Being incubated really boosted our project"
Caroline Vallerey and Karl Collette, who created Charlie, a platform that helps entrepreneurs in their administrative management, are also delighted to work alongside other young business leaders within the incubator.
"Since we are inspired by the difficulties encountered by entrepreneurs in their daily lives, being as close as possible to them, being in an entrepreneurial ecosystem, is essential for us", explains Karl Colette.
"Being incubated has really boosted our project", assure these two students from the Montpellier Management school.
“Coming from scientific training, the incubator allows us to acquire skills in marketing, law and communication, rejoice Olivier Kaakeh and Maxime Ménardo, who have created The Haï Mask, a mask that allows us to measure physiological parameters. during an effort.
This incubator is perfect for entering the world of entrepreneurship.
"
This device fits "in the context of a very significant progression of the status of student entrepreneur", indicates the University of Montpellier.
Particularly at the regional level: their number jumped, in 2018, by 470% in Occitania.
And to kill two birds with one stone, researchers working on incubation systems will use the fate of these future business leaders for their study.
Society
Coronavirus in Montpellier: Student parties singled out for the spread of the virus at university
Montpellier
Coronavirus in Montpellier: The university of letters in "semi-distance", what does that mean?
Languedoc-Roussillon
Start-up
University
Montpellier
Company
Student