While Auvergne distinguishes itself with its excellent biotech sector in the fields of health, nutrition, cosmetics, green chemistry, and environment, it primarily aims to attract talent from these sectors, notably through the “New Deal Biotech.” This call for projects, launched by the region, allows creators to develop their startups under optimal conditions, within a highly dynamic and innovative territory. The objective is to encourage them to settle in the Clermont-Ferrand metropolitan area.
A Favorable Environment for Biotechnologies
As a reminder, biotechnologies are defined by the marriage of life science with technologies such as computer science, chemistry, or physics. Key areas of activity include pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, agri-food, green chemistry, nutrition, and the environment. Entrepreneurs working in these highly dynamic sectors are offered the opportunity to develop their activities through the New Deal Biotech.
Indeed, this initiative, which is entirely unique in France, “allows bio-entrepreneurs the time and means to dedicate themselves fully and with complete peace of mind to their project in an environment dedicated to biotechnology activities,” as explained by the organizers. For one year, entrepreneurs will have access to an environment dedicated to biotechnologies, but that’s not all.
Innovative Scientific Projects
In addition to equipped laboratories and offices of approximately 30 m² for their research, the winners of the New Deal Biotech call for projects will receive a grant of 12,000 euros and will benefit from one year of support from the Busi incubator and Biopôle Clermont-Limagne, which comprises no less than fifty companies.
On February 21, Biopôle and its partners awarded the New Deal Biotech prizes to the leaders of 6 innovative scientific projects:
- A new range of natural plant protection products,
- Hair collection and extraction of high-quality keratin,
- A preventive medicine platform thanks to the gut microbiota,
- Developing perfumes and new perfumery ingredients from Auvergne plants,
- Production of a new air depollution system with plants,
- Design of new tools for microbial contamination diagnosis.
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