Introduction

ADVANS Group is proud to announce the launch of its annual call for projects via ADVANS Lab, the entity dedicated to the Group’s technological innovation activities.

The Lab manages various initiatives, including startups, acceleration programs, internal and collaborative projects, and the hackerspace.

 

This initiative is part of the Group’s policy of continuous innovation and external growth, stimulated by its employees and engineers, with the aim of positioning the Group as a player at the cutting edge of technology. This call is open to all ADVANS Group entities, regardless of their geographical location!

Through this call for projects, the Group wishes to position itself on a theme of the future, where its engineers are invited to take up the challenge of producing a Proof of Concept (POC) convincing enough to have the opportunity to create a startup later on.

ADVANS Lab will provide them with commercial and technological support, enabling participants to give the best of themselves, without having to lead a double life: engineer by day, start-upper by night and weekend!

What’s more, all Group employees who so wish will be able to get involved in the selection process by voting for their favorite project via a dedicated website.

Finally, once the POCs have been completed and validated, the most promising projects will have the opportunity to receive an investment from ADVANS Lab to move on to the next stage: the creation and development of a startup!

 

You will find below more details on this call for projects, reserved for ADVANS Group employees.

Should you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact Jean-François BERAUD, Innovation Director of the ADVANS Group, or Pierre ROMET, Scientific Director of Elsys Design.

We look forward to seeing your innovations!

Past Project Example

PANDUZA is a typical example of a successful INTO THE LAB project, although it led to the development of an Open Source solution rather than a start-up. ELSYS DESIGN is now building on this solution with a dedicated offering for its customers. More information on PANDUZA: https://www.elsys-design.com/en/panduza-for-a-connected-lab-2-0/

Thematic

No theme is imposed this year. However, in keeping with the DNA of the ADVANS group, we are keen to support projects that rely heavily on innovative technologies, or even deep-tech projects, in other words those that are directly linked to research and at the forefront of the state of the art.

Selection criterias

  • Personal commitment
  • Successful integration of the theme
  • Business potential
  • Technological potential: Digital
  • Technological potential: Electronics
  • Technological potential: Mechanical
  • Fit with ADVANS Group development strategy
  • Feasibility of a POC with the equivalent of 2 full-time resources, including 1 trainee
  • Complementarity of team members (if several)

From selection to incubation

Stage 1: Launch of the call for projects

What: “Into the Lab 2024” presentation
How: Presentation made during the annual seminars by ADVANS LAB
When: September 2024

Step 2: Applications

What: Applications from engineers for “Into the Lab 2024”.
How: Project proposals should be sent via the “I’m interested” form at the end of the page.
When: October 2024

Stage 3: Project pre-selection jury

What: Selection of promising projects
Who: A panel comprising the Chairman and CEO, the Innovation Director, the Technical Directors and the Operations Directors.
How: A pitch (5-minute pitch to present your concept, 10 min Q&A session)
When: Early November 2024

Step 4: Employee voting

What: Selection of “Into The Lab” projects
Who: All ADVANS Group employees
How: Voting on a dedicated site, which brings together all the projects submitted
When: End of November 2024

Step 5: The “Into The Lab” project

What: A functional and robust proof of concept
Who: Project members
Means: One 1/2 day per week per team member, to carry out and lead the project; The provision of the equivalent of two full-time resources (including 1 intern) to help develop a POC; Technical and scientific support throughout the project; Business support, dedicated to the Business Model, Business Plan and Pitch; A partner “hackerspace” to help with project prototyping (3D printing, robotics, electronics, machining) for projects located in Cachan, Aix-en-Provence or Sophia-Antipolis.
Period: 10 months

Stage 6: Selection for incubation

What: Selection of mature projects for incubation at ADVANS Lab
Who: A panel made up of the Chairman and CEO, the Innovation Director, the Technical Directors, the Operational Directors and an external consultant.
How: An oral presentation (A 10-minute oral presentation in “pitch deck” format, 10-minute technical demonstration of the P.O.C., 15 min Q&A session)
When: September 2025

Step 7: Integration into ADVANS Lab

The project(s) finally selected will have the opportunity to receive an investment of up to €100,000, create their own startup and join the ADVANS LAB portfolio of startups!

I’m interested

Are you interested? Please fill in this form so that Jean-François can contact you.

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Jean-François BERAUD

Chief Innovation Officer - ADVANS Group
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Pierre ROMET

Scientific Director - Elsys Design