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All entrepreneurs who have great ideas and skills! For us, innovation is not simply about technology. Innovation includes everything that can give the future company a decisive and lasting competitive advantage over existing commercial offerings, such as a particularly innovative service, a new business model, or an exclusive process.
The selection committee evaluates projects based on four criteria:
- Strong, sustainable, and scalable innovation, with strong barriers to entry
- Competent and reliable project team
- High-potential market that is both scalable and international
- Local presence in the Montpellier metropolitan area (31 cities)
In addition, we focus on the social and environmental commitment taken by innovative startup projects, a factor we take into account when analyzing candidate applications.
Selection is rigorous! Only about 30 out of over 300 projects presented every year are retained.
Candidates are first invited to an information and discussion meeting (mandatory) during which the BIC offering and selection criteria are explained. Candidates are selected based on their application form, and then are invited to a “Pitch and Talk” session: they give a 3-minute pitch and have an interview with two business managers, giving the BIC team the opportunity to assess the possibilities for assistance and to determine which program is best suited to their project.
A contract is proposed for a maximum of three years, subject to acceptance by our approval committee. Continuation of the contract is dependent on the achievement of objectives that are evaluated annually.
Montpellier BIC provides assistance to projects in all sectors and at all stages of maturity. Whether you just have a project, or a startup, or even a well-structured company, we can provide the right program for every situation!
Funding for support is mainly provided by Montpellier Métropole, the Occitanie Region, and Europe. The remaining cost for incubated businesses is 500 euros per year, billed on January 1.
In some cases, a financial contribution may be required for specific longer programs.
Entrepreneurs accepted by the approval committee are offered a contract for a maximum duration of 3 years, depending on the program in which they are involved, and subject to the successful achievement of annual targets established when the contract is signed.
Depending on their project’s stage of maturity, companies may apply for incubator hosting.
- Incubator hosting is reserved for BIC-assisted companies and offers many important benefits:
- Modular space, with surface area adjustable to meet your needs
- No deposit required
- Exemption from property tax
- Office access 24/7
- Turn-key Internet solutions
- Common services, such as reception, mail, parking... ready-to-use temporary offices available upon request
- Shared space and equipment, including meeting rooms, photocopiers, eating and relaxation areas, and more
- Ongoing assistance, coaching, and events
- Meeting rooms, drop-in offices, reception areas, coworking spaces: all assisted companies have free access to our shared spaces at our three sites for occasional use. They also have the option to lease office space.
- Cap Alpha: 3 Ave. de l’Europe - 34830 Clapiers, France
The original BIC incubator, Cap Alpha is unique for its offering of workshops and laboratory space.
- Halle de l’Innovation (HDI): 10 Place Françoise Héritier - ZAC Cambacérès - 34000 Montpellier, France
The area’s most recent incubator, HDI unites the majority of BIC’s support and logistics teams.
- Espace Gisèle Halimi: 35 Rue de la Haye - 34080 Montpellier, France
Located in the heart of the Mosson district, the Espace Gisèle Halimi facility hosts BIC events and provides office space for assisted projects.
Companies that reach the maturity stage under our “Propulsion” program can apply for incubator hosting. Hosting is for a period of 3 years. Assistance is mandatory for the entire duration of the project’s stay.
BICBOX Webapp, a listing with:
- Special offers from our partners dedicated to incubated startups
- Solutions developed by BIC startups Appvizer, Qiiro, ProAbono, Nelis, Axeptio, Nout, Tixeo, and others
Communication channel on Slack dedicated to startups incubated at Montpellier BIC.
The Montpellier Business Plan tool enables you to produce financial forecasts that take into account the specificities involved in funding innovative businesses.
Informative websites:
- BIC’s SECO website provides information about risks and potential threats to business security in innovative companies
- BIC’s IMPACT site offers guidance towards more responsible entrepreneurship
- The “Urban Mobility Lab” website presents BIC’s approach to soft mobility
Halle de l’Innovation, 10 Place Françoise Héritier - ZAC Cambacérès - 34000 Montpellier, France (close to the train station Gare Sud de France). Halle de l’Innovation is the two-story gray building right near the train station.
- By public transportation: Take tramway line 1 to Odysseum and exit at the Place de France station. Then, walk or take the train station shuttle (check the schedule on www.tam-voyages.com).
- Parking: If you are in the Odysseum district, you can park at Parking de la Mer and walk 10 minutes, or take the shuttle from Place de France to the train station Gare Sud de France. Exit at the Cambacérès station (check the shuttle schedule on www.tam-voyages.com).
You can also park at the train station parking lot.
Halle de l’Innovation reception hours: Monday - Friday from 8:30 AM to 12:15 PM, and from 1:45 to 5:00 PM
Reception: +33 4 67 13 69 82
Cap Alpha - 3 Ave. de l’Europe - 34830 Clapiers, France
- By public transportation: Take tramway line 1 to the last stop, in Jacou, then walk 15 minutes to Cap Alpha or take bus #22 right across the street from the Jacou station. Exit at the “Cap Alpha” station. Line 22 or shuttle line 36 (check schedules on www.tam-voyages.com).
- Parking: Free parking at Cap Alpha
Cap Alpha reception hours: Monday - Friday from 8:30 AM to 12:15 PM, and from 1:45 to 5:00 PM
Reception: +33 4 67 15 48 05
Espace Gisèle Halimi (formerly URSSAF) - 35, Rue de la Haye - 34080 Montpellier, France
- By public transportation: Take tramway line 1 to the “Les Halles de la Paillade” station (check the schedule on www.tam-voyages.com).
- Parking: In the Mosson district, you can park at the City Hall Mosson Annexe or Saint Paul shopping center parking lot.
Espace Gisèle Halimi reception hours: 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM, and from 1:30 to 5:30 PM
Reception: +33 4 99 54 77 28 or +33 4 99 54 77 29