10 years: 69 projects, 25 startups, and 3 nonprofits

Published on 04.11.2026

Institut Imagine’s bioentrepreneurship program is celebrating its tenth anniversary on September 21, 2026. Since 2016, it has supported 69 biomedical innovation projects, trained more than 140 students, and helped develop the strategy of 25 startups and 3 nonprofits. Seven of these startups have won the national i-Lab competition.

BioLaunchPad (Imagine Bioentrepreneurs Launchpad), launched in 2016 at Institut Imagine and led by Professor Olivier Hermine—a physician, researcher, and entrepreneur—is built on a simple premise: a laboratory discovery only becomes a treatment if someone develops it all the way to the patient.

Ten years later, the results speak for themselves:

  • 69 projects supported, coming from 24 different research institutions;
  • 25 startups and 3 nonprofits accelerated;
  • 7 of these startups won the i-Lab innovation competition, operated by Bpifrance on behalf of France’s Ministry responsible for Research;
  • 140 students trained and 80 auditors;
  • 6 partner schools and universities;
  • 88% of alumni are now employed.

Among these success stories is codoc, a health-tech company specializing in the mobilization and reuse of health data generated during care. It now offers a suite of applications built on a health data warehouse; it is deployed in 32 healthcare facilities and has a team of 40 people. On the nonprofit side, AIDY helps direct patients with rare diseases to the right care pathway based on a simple front and profile photo, with geolocation support. The solution currently lists 750 genetic syndromes that can be identified through distinctive facial features and 560 reference care centers, helping reduce diagnostic delays for patients.

An open program well beyond Institut Imagine

BioLaunchPad is one of the few French bioentrepreneurship programs that welcomes projects from other institutions: the 69 supported projects come from 24 different institutes.

The training is recognized by six schools and universities with deliberately diverse profiles—X-HEC Entrepreneurs, ESCP Business School, ECE Paris, Sup’Biotech, Université Paris Cité, and Université Paris-Saclay. Scientists, physicians, pharmacists, engineers, and business professionals work together in the same teams and on the same projects.

The program counts toward doctoral school training requirements. Participants rate the quality of its sessions with an NPS score of 0.80.

A program based on the Necker campus

The program takes place within Institut Imagine. After a matching phase between learners and project leads, teams work full time for several weeks: masterclasses, individual coaching, meetings with the financing and healthcare ecosystem, all the way through to the investor pitch.

What alumni have to say

“The exceptional quality of the speakers—true field experts—particularly stood out to me. Every session allowed for immediate, practical application to our own projects.” — Anne, project lead, Class of 2026

“This program was by far the richest and most intense learning experience I have had since starting my entrepreneurial journey. I did not become an expert in everything, but I no longer feel like I’m navigating in the dark, and I approach future challenges with greater confidence. The discussions, the people I met, and the lessons I received all helped me grow personally while also moving the project forward.” — Tikhon, student, Class of 2026

Join us for the 10th anniversary: Monday, September 21, 2026, at 5:30 p.m., in the auditorium at Institut Imagine, 24 boulevard du Montparnasse, 75015 Paris.

The program will include one hour of lessons learned, results, testimonials, and inspiration, followed by a relaxed networking session.

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