“Accelerate your plant innovation!” VEGEPOLYS VALLEY launches the 8th edition of its contest dedicated to startups.
VEGEPOLYS VALLEY launches the 8th edition of its competition dedicated to innovations for the production and uses of the plant of tomorrow.
Project leaders have until November 15 to apply for one of the seven key themes related to plant production and use:
- New technologies for crop production,
- Varietal innovation and performance of seeds and seedlings,
- Plant Health,
- Urban vegetation,
- Ingredients and plant products for Nutrition-Prevention-Health, Wellness, Cosmetics,
- Plant food and feed,
- Agro Materials and Biotransformation.
The 12 shortlisted candidates will benefit from a day of collective support during which they will prepare for the final stage scheduled the next day, Friday, December 8. They will then defend their project, the time of a «pitch» of 5 minutes before the jury composed of experts and partners of the competition.
The projects will be selected according to their innovative nature, the relevance of their proposal for the production or uses of the plant, their economic potential and feasibility as well as the credibility of the candidate team.
The winners will be awarded four prizes, with €10,000 in funding, to be used for studies (markets, technical studies, design, etc.). and with operational and strategic support offered by VEGEPOLYS VALLEY.
The competition also includes specific follow-ups proposed by local partners (Angers Technopole, the networks of Breton technopoles, BUSI Clermont Auvergne Innovation, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Entreprises and the Clermont-Limagne Biopôle).
We Network and Terres Univia will also support the winners in their respective areas of expertise (connected objects and vegetable oils and proteins).
Other forms of individualized support may be offered: access to the Agri’O and Hi-France labels to facilitate fundraising, contact with private financiers, sponsorship of entrepreneurs from the network or support from partner banks, financial and strategic support that is a real springboard for a young company.
Since 2016, the competition has supported the projects of 29 start-ups.
In December 2022, five project leaders were awarded and are supported in 2023.
More information on the terms of the competition (IN FRENCH)