The CIC Sud Ouest officially opens applications for the 7th edition of the CIC Start Innovation Awards, a meeting now established in the start-up and innovation ecosystem of the greater South-West.
The event will be held on March 25 and 26, 2026 in Bordeaux, with a regional final organized at the CAPC – contemporary art museum, on March 26.
Designed as an accelerator of visibility and business development, the competition is part of CIC Sud Ouest’s strategy of supporting innovative companies in its territory, from the emergence of projects to their structuring.
Start-ups and innovative business leaders have until March 10, 2026 to submit their application.
đź“Ś Applications open until March 10, 2026
👉 More information on the dedicated CIC Start Innovation Awards platform
Three categories to reflect the diversity of innovation.
For this new edition, the CIC Start Innovation Awards will distinguish projects according to three main categories:
- Breakup : projects developing a technology, a product, a service or an economic model radically transforming a market or sector.
- Impact : projects with a positive impact on the tech ecosystem or the environment (Woman in Tech, Tech for Good, eco-responsible projects, etc.).
- Growth : companies less than three years old, or having raised less than €1 million, or with less than €500 thousand in turnover, or with fewer than ten employees.
At the end of the pre-selection phase, 16 candidates will be selected to participate in the regional final.
Up to €10,000 and national visibility for the winners.
Beyond highlighting the projects, the winners in each category will be able to benefit from financial rewards of up to €10,000, intended to support their growth.
The device also includes:
- development support via the CIC International Club,
- as well as a ticket to VIVATECH, from June 17 to 19 in Paris, where the winners will exhibit their innovation on the CIC stand.
A final punctuated by workshops and pitch sessions.
The regional final will be structured around thematic workshops led by experts (international, social engineering, financial statements) and interviews with the jury, in order to prepare the candidates for the pitch exercise.
Eight finalists will then be selected to present their project to the jury and the public during the final session.
A jury composed of key figures from the innovation ecosystem
The jury will bring together recognized players in financing and innovation, including:
- Jean-Renaud DallayDirector of the Business Market, CIC Sud Ouest
- Xavier DelaplaceManaging Director, Crédit Mutuel Innovation
- Isabelle PrevotGeneral Director, BIC Montpellier
- Eloa Guillotinco-founder and CEO of Beyond Aero
- Philippe MetayerManaging Director, French Tech Bordeaux
- Anne-Sophie IcardGeneral Director, AT HOME
An event supported by the regional ecosystem
The CIC Start Innovation Awards are organized in partnership with Crealia Occitanie, AT Home Cité, UNITEC, French Tech Bordeaux, French Tech Méditerranée, French Tech Toulouse, Bask Invest, DERBI Climater and Réseaux Entreprendre.
A look back at the latest winners
During the previous edition, the prizes notably distinguished:
- STARFISH Bioscience (AgTech biotechnology, Gironde) – Deeptech Prize
- E-ETHYLENE (energy transition, Hérault) – Start Localtech Prize
- Revolupaint – Colibri paint (building, Haute-Garonne) – Greentech Prize
đź“Ś Applications open until March 10, 2026
👉 More information on the dedicated CIC Start Innovation Awards platform >
