An individualised support circuit
Not a one-size bootcamp.
A diagnostic maps your gaps, then we build your roadmap: a shared foundation plus custom modules activated only where you need them.
You’ve got the breakthrough.
We bring you the rest.
A pitch contest and individualised acceleration program for early-stage industrial-biotech founders.
Powered by TWB and its ecosystem.
Free participation.
No company needed.
Keep 100% of your IP.
The smart move
30 July – 5 Oct 2026
APPLICATIONS
Up to 10
LAUREATES
18 Oct – 20 Nov 2026
CUSTOMISED TRAINING PROGRAM
25 Nov 2026
PITCH DAY – TOULOUSE
THE EARLIEST STAGE. THE BIGGEST POTENTIAL
Turning early science into future companies
Great industrial biotech dies in the gap between a lab result and a company.
Smart-Up Ventures exists to close it.
We look for a defined technological concept, a testable scientific hypothesis, and early evidence of feasibility — roughly TRL 2–3, just upstream of proof of concept.
You don’t need a company, a business plan, or a patent already filed. You need a real breakthrough and the drive to build on it — we handle the rest, together.
More than a prize — a launchpad
WHY JOIN THE CONTEST
The full TWB ecosystem
More than a decade of white-biotech expertise, pilot-scale platforms, scientists, industrials, investors and technology-transfer specialists — all in one place.
One Pitch Day. All key stakeholders gathered
Pitch once, in front of the people who can actually move your project forward: industrials, investors, startup studios, SATT and scientific incubators.
Your competitive edge
Free to enter, no company required, and 100% of your IP stays with you. Every applicant leaves with constructive, actionable feedback.
THE SUPPORT CIRCUIT
From lab idea to funded company
01—————
Application
Submit your project.
Up to 10 laureates are selected by the organizing committee’s jury.
/Applications are open until 5 October 2026/
02—————
Diagnostic & roadmap
We map your strengths and gaps, then design your personalised acceleration path.
/Laureates contacted: 16 October 2026/
03—————
Training program
A shared foundation — pitch, entrepreneurial posture, meet with entrepreneurs who have launched their startups — plus custom modules: IP/FTO, techno-economic analysis, scientific expertise, industrial anchoring, mentoring.
/Scheduling period: 18 October – 20 November 2026/
04—————
Pitch Day
Pitch in Toulouse before the Smart-Up Ventures ecosystem (Start-Up Studios, Tech Transfer network, industrial partners, scientific & tech experts, Venture capitals…).
/25 November 2026/
——————-
SIX WAYS FORWARD AFTER
01
Create with
a studio
02
Proof of concept construction with TWB
03
Pre-maturation funding
04
Industrial partners connection
05
Expert services
06
Venture capital
WHY TWB
15+ years
powering industrial biotech innovation
TWB is pioneer in industrial biotechnology, covering the entire value chain, from disruptive innovation to pre-industrial bioprocesses.
Smart-Up Ventures puts its ecosystem — startup studios, technology transfer and industry — to work for your project from day one.
10+
start-ups technically supported
2
deeptech spin-offs
from TWB
500+
Biotech projects operated
85
economic partners
Organised in partnership with
Key dates
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
30 July – 5 Oct 2026
APPLICATIONS
16 October 2026
LAUREATES LIST
25 November 2026
PITCH DAY – TOULOUSE
GET STARTED
Everything you need to apply
Contest rules
Read the full regulations: eligibility, selection, evaluation criteria, award and confidentiality.
Application form
An editable form to send by email to : twb-smartupventures@inrae.fr
Add a 2-minute presentation video and an optional 2-page summary of preliminary results.
STEP 1
Read the rules
Check your eligibility and the maturity we look for (TRL 2–3, upstream of POC).
STEP 2
Complete the form
Tell your story — hypothesis, feasibility, market — and attach your video or optional results .
STEP 1
Submit before 5 October
Send everything before midnight CET to
twb-smartupventures@inrae.fr
Ready to launch?
The next generation of industrial biotech starts before the company does.
Bring the science — we’ll bring the rest.
Smart-Up Ventures Contest — Edition 2026
Organised by TWB · 4Elements · Agrilife Studio · Technofounders · SATT Toulouse Tech Transfer
Any question?