The Deeptech Forum Sophia embodies an essential dynamic: building bridges between high-level science, entrepreneurial ambition and strategic support. Deeptech can only succeed collectively.
On Wednesday, 4 June 2025, starting at 2 p.m., students from the Specialised Master’s programme in DeepTech Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Mines Paris-PSL will inaugurate the first edition of their DeepTech Sophia Forum in partnership with Dynergie, ‘the player in useful innovation’. This event will naturally take place at the École des Mines on the Pierre Laffitte campus in Sophia Antipolis.
Objective: to catalyse meetings between researchers, entrepreneurs, investors and public actors to transform scientific advances into high-impact businesses.
An event rooted in the national ambition for Deeptech
With France aiming to create 500 Deeptech start-ups per year by 2030 (France 2030 plan), this forum aims to strengthen the regional roots of disruptive innovation. It offers an afternoon of round tables, testimonials and intensive networking around the major stages of the Deeptech journey:
- 2.45pm – Emergence: talent, scientific profiles and entrepreneurial training
- 4pm – Financing & seed funding: getting out of the valley of death
- 4.45pm – Scale-up & market: feedback from regional start-ups
- 5:30 p.m. – Mix&Match: targeted meetings between projects, investors, experts and partners
The forum will conclude with a networking cocktail reception open to all participants.
Leading speakers
Several figures from the regional and national ecosystem will take the floor, including:
- Xavier Fernandez, Vice-President of Innovation, Université Côte d’Azur
- Elie Hachem, Director of CMA, Mines Paris – PSL
- Stéphanie Morales, Head of Inria Startup Studio
- Hugo Charbonnier, Director of Innovation, Dynergie
- Alex Gerbaud, Partner, Innovacom
- Justine Lipuma, CEO, Mycophyto
- Véronique Raoul, CEO, Inalve
‘The Deeptech Forum Sophia embodies an essential dynamic: building bridges between high-level science, entrepreneurial ambition and strategic support. Deeptech can only succeed collectively.’
— Wim VAN WASSENHOVE Coordinator of the Specialised Master’s Programme at Mines Paris – PSL
An opportunity for scientific talent and investors
Researchers, PhD students, project leaders, VCs, incubators, industrialists, local authorities… all profiles involved in the transformation of research are invited to participate. This forum is also an opportunity to identify future high-potential projects from laboratories of excellence.
Practical information
- Wednesday, 4 June 2025, starting at 2:00 p.m.
- Pierre Laffitte Campus, Mines Paris – PSL, Sophia Antipolis
- Press contact:
Kristell.riou-nivert@etu.minesparis.psl.eu
Kristell.riou-nivert@etu.minesparis.psl.eu