Learning by Research

On February 6, 2020, the awards ceremony for the i-PhD innovation competition for the 2019 class was held in Paris in the presence of the Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, Frédérique Vidal. This competition, which promotes disruptive innovation, supported by the government and BPI France through the DeepTech plan, aims to promote entrepreneurship among young PhD students at the end of their thesis, or post-docs (within 3 years after the thesis defense).

On this occasion, 7 PhD students and post-docs from the UGA were distinguished for the quality and relevance of their research work and the advanced maturation of their business creation projects. These awards are also a recognition of the work undertaken in particular by the establishment's doctoral college in favor of the professional support of PhD students.

A great coaching program for the award-winners

The 7 UGA laureates will benefit from this award with national exposure, a label for the continuation of their projects, participation in a mentoring program with Founders of startups and experienced entrepreneurs. They will also participate in a week-long Summer Camp in Silicon Valley.

The 7 winners Grenoble Alpes i-PhD:

THE GRAND PRIZE

Emeline Richard Millot : GLYCOFLU

Laboratory : CERMAV (CNRS)
The GlycoFlu project aims to bring a new generation of anti-flu drugs to market.
Influenza is a major public health issue; unfortunately, the only two antivirals currently on the market have significant limitations, particularly in terms of resistance, and the seasonal vaccine is not always effective. There is therefore an urgent need for new drugs to counter the virus. GlycoFlu wants to develop a new generation of oral (aerosol) influenza drugs with multiple potential uses: human or avian flu, and with both prophylactic and therapeutic applications.

THE 6 WINNERS

Prakhar Amba : DEMOSAIC

Laboratory: LPNC (CNRS/UGA/USMB)
The startup DEMOSAIC brings a new demosaicing solution, based on 3 patents. This bio-inspired technology of perceptive image processing (using artificial intelligence) allows the reconstruction of raw images from sensors, in real time industrial applications with high requirements in image quality. Access to the technology will be in the form of services and adapted demosaicing IPs that are fast in execution and therefore energy efficient. The target markets are multimedia, industrial vision, camera manufacturers. The startup plans to launch its first products on the market mid-2020.

MohammadMahdi Asgharzadeh : E-IOT

Laboratory: IMEP-LAHC (CNRS/Grenoble INP/UGA/USMB)The Enhanced IoT project is based on a radio communication technology that improves the link quality of existing networks. The solution thus ensures bidirectional transmission, unlimited communication volumes, a significant increase in communication distance, as well as maintaining communication even in the event of a poor signal-to-noise ratio. In addition, the technology does not require a specific network and can therefore be used in isolated areas. Potential customers are providers of communication networks (4G, SigFox...), IoT services (LoRa, SigFox...) and IoT service users (Schneider...).

Sohaïb El Outmani : ENTROVIEW

Laboratory: GIPSA-lab (CNRS/Grenoble INP/UGA)
ENTROVIEW has developed a technology that allows not only real-time estimation of the electrical parameters of the battery, but also thermodynamic parameters such as entropy. Thus, the use of artificial intelligence algorithms allows access to new knowledge on the state of the battery, for a safer and more durable use. The proposed technology is aimed at two types of markets:
• battery testing equipment, in particular for research and diagnostics,
• the BMS (Battery Management System) market, which has two main roles: a control unit and a monitoring unit.

Julien Leguy : FUNCELL

Laboratory : CERMAV (CNRS)The FUNCELL project (Functionalisation for cellulosic materials) consists in the synthesis of paper additives mainly to improve the mechanical properties of papers: dry and wet strength. Our products stand out for their bio-sourced, biodegradable, non-toxic and non-ionic characteristics while surpassing the performance of the petro-sourced products currently on the market. Our additives can also be used as grafting support for various functionalities.

Pierre Belleville : HYSTEP

Laboratory: LEPMI (CNRS/Grenoble INP/UGA/USMB)The Hystep technology is a process designed to valorize biomass from wastewater by producing low potential decarbonated hydrogen. The goal is to offer a new way of valorization for the actors of wastewater treatment (urban, food, agricultural). A market study is underway to study the preferential outlets for hydrogen (mobility, network injection, biomethanation).

Vivien Deloule : WHN

Laboratory: LGP2 (CNRS/ Grenoble INP/UGA/AGEFPI)
The future startup Wood for Health and Nutrition (WHN) aims to produce hemicelluloses extracted from wood. These molecules have a prebiotic activity: they provide a benefit for human health by stimulating and restoring the activity of the microbiota (bacteria hosted and living in synbiosis with the host, i.e. here the human being). The patented process completes the valorization of wood used by the paper industry. The project targets two market segments: dermo-cosmetics within 2 years and nutrition/health within 5 years. These market segments are looking for new active molecules to be integrated into dermo-cosmetic care products and food supplements.