Our role in the creation of start-ups

The CEA plays an active and recognised supporting role in the creation of companies and the development of start-ups founded through its innovations. Its goal is to foster revolutionary technology, encourage industrial competitiveness, and promote employment. The CEA offers a unique advantage for the s tart-ups that it supports, through its combination of technical skills, state-of-the-art equipment, expertise in innovation, investment network, and geographical coverage. 

It has also created an intrapreneurship programme, called “Magellan”, to assist employees who want to be part of the adventure. From the initial shape of the idea to the hunt for funds and ultimately the market-ready proof-of-concept, project leaders are guided by experts for three years, to ensure that their start-up is as viable and robust as possible. This ecosystem is complemented by the CEA’s 700 industrial partners, representing a wealth of priority contact points for the start-ups. 

Since 1972, more than 250 start-ups have been created in this way, and the support given to them by the CEA ensures their sustained success; more than 80% are still trading ten years on.

What to find at CES:
our startups and demos

• Healthcare
  

Start-up ECLYPIA, a non-invasive continuous glycemia monitoring

In France, more than 4 million people have diabetes. To help them manage their condition, ECLYPIA  has developed a non-invasive method for continuous blood sugar monitoring.
The technology, developed in Grenoble and protected by 25 patents, uses quantum-cascade lasers to “light up” the skin. An AI algorithm can then measure the blood sugar level using the signal obtained. The end result is a reliable and immediately available reading requiring no blood and causing no pain. In the future, ECLYPIA intends to develop a health app that combines blood sugar monitoring, diet, and exercise.

WIMAGINE, an implant for increased autonomy

As a world-first made public in spring 2023, this digital bypass, which combines a device in the brain using WIMAGINE technology with an implant in the spinal cord, allowed a paraplegic patient to walk again. This was made possible by the expertise of the CEA and its partners. 
Clinatec, a centre for biomedical research located in Grenoble supported by Fonds Clinatec endowment fund, is at the forefront of work on neural implants to allow paralysed patients and those with physical disabilities, particularly stroke victims, to recover some of their autonomy. The Brain Computer Interfaces (BCI) resulting from WIMAGINE technology represent hope for thousands of patients.

VXP, ultra-rapid calculations applied to the brain

In computing, more precise results require longer calculation times. To strike a balance between efficiency and results, the CEA has designed a physical accelerator that can adjust the precision of calculations and speed up calculation times by a factor of 3!
As a complete solution (hardware and software) developed by the teams at Saclay, VXP technology can easily be adapted to existing calculation centres. Its many uses include faster and more precise tomography scans for the brain. 

• new materials

Start-up HELIUP, ultra-light solar panels

Not all buildings can be fitted with solar panels. The startup HELIUP is hoping to change this, however, with its photovoltaic cells that can be adapted to existing large roofs, irrespective of their angle. The ultra-slim glass used by HELIUP – an innovation protected by several patents – results in a panel with the same output per surface area but which is three times lighter and easier to install.
Designed in Chambéry, France, this technology will help renewable energy to spread on all sorts of already constructed buildings, including logistics warehouses, farm hangars, and other large structures. 

HANETEC, a high-tech metal foam

Chemistry needs upgrading to make it greener and help it rise to current challenges. Produced by capturing lightning – a one-of-a-kind technique – Hanetec ultra-light foam creates extreme reaction surfaces that are incredibly effective. What can they do? Amplify catalysts, simplify the storage of molecules, and improve the processing of fluids, among other uses.

• CUTTING-EDGE INDUSTRY
  

 Start-up FLUIIDD, a scanner to streamline liquid procedures

Foreign bodies, air bubbles, contaminants... all factors that can impair the flow of fluids in industrial processes, from the nuclear to the agri-food industry.
To identify any problems, FLUIIDD has designed a quick scanner with integrated electrodes and an artificial intelligence module. The Made in France device uses very little energy and can prevent long and costly pauses in manufacturing processes. 

I used my three years in the Magellan programme to perfect a detailed roadmap. I needed all of that time to understand my future market! I feel quite confident today.” – Mathieu Darnajou,
co-founder of FLUIIDD SAS

Start-up INOOCQ, a counterfeit-detecting ink

No need to worry about where your day cream came from! Through its app identiDOTS, the start-up INOOCQ in Grenoble is helping manufacturers and consumers alike to quickly and easily detect counterfeit products.
Augmented inks and specific markers are seamlessly integrated into the products and their packaging. They can then be simply scanned with a smartphone to verify that these traceability markers are present. This provides security for purchases and safety for consumers, regardless of the sector, from cosmetics to luxury products.

BAROSENSE, high-precision pressure measurements

What do the aerospace industry and a falling elderly person have in common? They can both make excellent use of the BaroSense sensor! This high-performance, high-resolution barometric pressure sensor from our laboratory in Grenoble can detect differences in altitude down to the centimetre, on a scale ranging from one to several thousand bars. 
BaroSense works under high temperatures and is thus suited for industrial needs, and is also the only sensor on the market with an auto-test feature, ensuring that its measurements are reliable over time.

DIGITISATION

Start-up QUOBLY, a quantum computer

A quantum computer will rapidly expand the scope of possibilities for calculations, with considerable potential for all sectors. To develop one, QUOBLY chose to produce silicon-based qubits (quantum bits) using tried-and-tested technology: FD-SOI semiconductors developed by the CEA in Grenoble, where the start-up itself is also based. 
The combination of many quantum innovations led by QUOBLY with
European expertise on semiconductors is paving the way to a digital revolution.

NEUROCORGI, a low-energy AI chip inspired by the brain

Our brain directly processes all information it receives “internally”. Conversely, major AI applications have to send data to processing centres, which are sometimes quite far away. This results in wasted time and higher energy use.
NeuroCorgi is addressing this issue with its edge AI chip inspired by the development of the human visual cortex, which combines fixed layers of neurons with an ability to learn. It uses 1,000 times less energy than conventional solutions and processes requests more quickly, while also protecting the confidentiality of users whose data do not have to be sent elsewhere.