Article 1 – Purpose of the Call for Applications

The GENE.iO Call for Applications, organized by Genopole, aims to encourage, support, and promote innovative startups in the field of biotechnologies applied to the bioeconomy (including greentech, agritech, and foodtech), innovative therapies (gene therapy, cell therapy, diagnostics, and devices), and digital genomics.

For the purposes of this call, "innovation" refers to a new and inventive technology, process, or service that must have a market-validated economic application.

Biotechnology is defined as the use of knowledge about the biological and natural functions of living organisms to produce goods and services.

The GENE.iO program, implemented by Genopole, is an offer enabling biotechnology startups to:

• Validate their business model
• Develop a fundraising strategy
• Build a partnership strategy with major accounts and industrial groups
• Develop an industrialization strategy

GENE.iO is open to legal entities.
GENE.iO is a one-year tailored program designed to consolidate your startup’s business plan and secure your first funding or sign your first commercial agreement.

 

Article 2 – Eligibility of Applications

Any innovative biotechnology startup in the fields of bioeconomy (including greentech, agritech, and foodtech), innovative therapies (gene therapy, cell therapy, diagnostics, and devices), and digital genomics may apply to this call for applications.

This call for applications is particularly aimed at young innovative companies that have completed the proof of concept for their technology.
For companies in the process of being created, the application may be submitted by a natural person carrying the business creation project. However, the company must be legally established by the time it enters the GENE.iO program.

Applicant startups must meet the following conditions:

• Have a functional prototype or a Proof of Concept (PoC) at least at TRL 3–4
• Operate within Genopole’s thematic areas
• Demonstrate an innovative nature, as defined in Article 1

 

Article 3 – GENE.iO Offer

Selected startups joining GENE.iO will benefit, for a period of one year, from a support package including:

• A zero-interest loan of €20,000, intended to leverage the company’s financing efforts.
• A "Starter Kit" including two comprehensive company diagnostics, conducted at the start and end of the program.
• A 360° paid support package, priced at €7,500, providing targeted expertise to consolidate the company’s business model and prepare its fundraising strategy or the signing of its first commercial agreement. This support includes the following components:

Major Account Partnerships:
This component includes a commercial strategy and negotiation module, as well as opportunities for meetings with large groups operating in the startups’ fields of activity.

Fundraising:
This component includes consulting and expertise services provided by selected experts to develop a financing strategy, considering various options (equity, debt, grants). It also includes an opportunity to pitch to pre-selected investors.

Market Access:
This component includes support for market access strategy, definition and implementation of intellectual property strategy, and customer discovery.

Pre-Industrialization:
This component includes expertise and consulting services to anticipate and structure the project’s industrial phase.

• Support from a team of startup managers from Genopole’s Business Development and Prospecting Department.
• Access to a mentor.
• Access to the Genopole network.

Additionally, if they wish, startups may benefit from Genopole covering the rent for leasing premises on the Genopole biocluster (offices/laboratories) for a period of 12 months. This coverage is conditional on the startup remaining on the Genopole site for the entire duration of the program and for the 12 months following its completion.

Finally, selected startups will have privileged access to:

• Genopole’s technological platforms
• Genopole’s ecosystem: researchers, experts, industrial partners, and startups

 

Article 4 – Application File Composition

The application file is available on Genopole’s dedicated website and must be completed online.
Applicants commit to providing any additional elements necessary for the evaluation team to fully understand their project.
Any missing element will result in the rejection of the application.
The application file must be completed in French or English.
Any application submitted in another form will not be considered.
Regardless of the project type, applicants must provide a complete and accurate description of their project’s status.

 

Article 5 – Application Submission Conditions

Applications must be submitted via Genopole’s dedicated website.
Each application submission will be acknowledged on the dedicated website.

 

Article 6 – Selection of Applications

The Technical Secretariat, managed by Genopole, organizes the reception, registration, evaluation of files, and notification of applicants regarding the results of the various selection stages.

The Genopole team verifies the eligibility conditions of the applications.
Eligible applications are presented for evaluation to Genopole’s Expert Committee, composed of scientific experts, entrepreneurs, financial experts, and startup creation professionals.

Eligible applicants will be invited to orally present their project to the Expert Committee.

The Expert Committee’s opinion is then submitted to the Director General of Genopole for final validation.

Project evaluation is based on:

• The quality and skills of the company and its management (and/or team)
• The innovative nature of the product, process, or service (added value)
• Market potential
• The company’s growth potential
• Alignment with Genopole’s ecosystem

 

Article 7 – Timeline

The GENE.iO Call for Applications is launched on June 26, 2026.
The deadline for application submission is July 27, 2026, at midnight (the receipt notification will serve as proof).
The Expert Committee will meet at Genopole in September 2026.
Selected applicants must join GENE.iO starting October 15, 2026.

 

Article 8 – Applicant Commitments

Any applicant responding to this call for applications commits to:

• Respond to any request for additional information from Genopole
• Accept the GENE.iO offer in the form assigned
• Read and unconditionally accept these regulations
• Waive any recourse regarding the organization of the call for applications, its results, and the jury’s decisions
• Refrain from any claim or request for compensation in case of modification, postponement, or cancellation of the program

 

Article 9 – Commitments of Selected Companies

Each company selected for GENE.iO commits to:

• Participate in all activities organized as part of GENE.iO
• Mention in all communications or statements that it is part of the GENE.iO cohort at Genopole
• Sign a "GENE.iO Program Agreement" with Genopole
• Study the feasibility of establishing a presence on the Genopole biocluster site
• Provide Genopole, upon request, with any information on the company’s progress for three consecutive years following integration into GENE.iO
• Repay Genopole the €20,000 loaned at the start of the program within a maximum of 3 months after the program’s end, or earlier in the event of a significant fundraising round or substantial revenue generation
• Pay Genopole the fee for the 360° support package

 

Article 10 – Publicity and Communication

Winners of the call for applications must provide Genopole with a short presentation of their project (in addition to their general description). It is the responsibility of the project leaders to ensure that no confidential data is included.

 

Article 11 – Right to Image

The applicant authorizes Genopole to capture, reproduce, and disclose to the public any photographs and audiovisual recordings made during the call for applications and the GENE.iO program.
To this end, the applicant must sign the image capture and dissemination authorization form attached to these regulations.
In accordance with data protection legislation (French Data Protection Act No. 78-17 of January 6, 1978, as amended, and the EU General Data Protection Regulation 2016/679), the applicant has the right to access, rectify, or erase their personal data and to object to further processing (contact: [email protected]).

 

Article 12 – Confidentiality

Documents submitted as part of the call for applications are strictly confidential (except for the "Distributable Presentation" section – see Article 10) and will only be shared for the purpose of evaluating the application. All individuals with access to application files are bound by strict confidentiality.

 

Article 13 – Intellectual Property

Each applicant declares that they legitimately hold the intellectual property rights related to the projects presented during the call for applications and thus guarantees the organizers against any legal action.

 

Article 14 – Organizer Responsibilities

The organizers reserve the right to cancel or partially or fully modify this call for applications if circumstances require it, without having to justify this decision. Their liability cannot be engaged on this basis.

The liability of the organizers and partners (including consultants and members of the Expert Committee) cannot be engaged in the event of disputes related to the organization of the call for applications, the process of receiving and selecting applicants.

 

Article 15 – Framework for Assistance

The assistance provided by Genopole under the GENE.iO program falls under EU Regulation 1407/2013 of December 18, 2013, concerning de minimis aid.
It is recalled that this regulation limits the total amount of aid an enterprise may receive under this framework to €200,000 (or €300,000 for certain sectors) over a period of three fiscal years.
Thus, each selected applicant will be required to complete a declaration confirming that the aid provided by Genopole does not cause the company to exceed the aforementioned financial ceiling.

Article 16 – Acceptance of Regulations

Submitting an application implies the applicant’s full and unconditional acceptance of these regulations, without reservation. No claims may be made regarding the results, which are final and not subject to appeal, as the jury is sovereign and not required to justify its decisions.