Organized since 2002 by the Télécom Valley association, co-chaired by Cédric Ulmer, President of France Labs, and Pascal Vignon, Head of Agilitech, the “Challenge jeunes Pousses” is supported by the Alpes Maritimes Department.
It aims to raise students’ awareness of entrepreneurship in the field of innovation.
A challenge proposed to students, formed into teams (3 to 7 people), to submit projects for the creation of innovative companies.
This competition is aimed at students with a level higher than Bac+3 or young graduates with the status of student entrepreneurs of Bac+4 level.
Students submit projects that include one or more forms of innovations:
– Technological innovation integrating recent technology, to meet current and future needs.
– Social innovation addressing a social need through technology.
– Innovation in the tourism sector that fits into the tourism market.
This competition aims to create a real bridge between the academic and economic worlds, as candidates receive volunteer coaching from entrepreneurship professionals.
The department launched last week the Smart Deal whose objective is to support the digital transition at work in the Alpes Maritimes, through projects that improve the daily lives of its inhabitants.
A group of experts is formed with researchers, professors, and academics to get students involved in imagining the Alpes Maritimes of tomorrow.
Some proposals may lead to partnerships.
29 teams have applied, but only 10 will advance to the semi-finals.
Today, the 10 teams present their projects. The jury will then withdraw to deliberate and select the 4 finalists.
The jury is composed of
Jean-Marc Audoli, Director of the Business Pole and Mayor of Bonson
Florence Tresols from IBM
Amaury de Barbeyrac, Deputy General Manager for resources, means, and modernization
Vincent Tricard, the communication and event management officer at UCA
Olena Kushakova, driving innovation at SAP
The winning team will receive
– 6 months of pre-incubation at the PACA EST incubator.
– 1500 euros in gift vouchers to be shared among all team members, from Télécom Valley.
– An additional 1500 euros if a company is created with a one-year membership to Télécom Valley (access to the professional network).
The department joined Télécom Valley in 2016. Together, they signed a digital partnership agreement, with other partners such as INRIA and Nice Sophia-Antipolis.
