With the Next Innov Prize, Banque Populaire and Maddyness, the leading media in the French startup universe, have been organizing an event since 2018 to identify, support, and promote the most promising young companies. In Occitanie, this new edition took place at “La Cité,” a hub dedicated to innovation driven by the Occitanie / Pyrénées-Méditerranée region, in a territory that year after year confirms its vitality in terms of business creation and development of technological solutions.
Through this initiative, Banque Populaire Occitane aims to showcase its role in the regional economic ecosystem. The institution emphasizes its long-term support, stating that it follows one out of every two businesses in its region. This proximity logic is reflected in the existence of Next Innov, an agency created to meet the specific needs of innovative companies, whether they are startups in the acceleration phase or SMEs engaged in a growth strategy.
The awards ceremony was not only intended to highlight winners but also to serve as a platform for projects seeking to structure themselves, gain visibility, and find the necessary financing, expertise, and network support for their development. In a region where innovation permeates various industries such as healthcare, digital, energy, and mobility, this spotlighting is a broader issue than just symbolic recognition.
Eight startups were selected among around sixty candidates. They were invited to defend their projects on stage in front of a public of economic and institutional actors, including Bertrand Serp, Vice-President of Toulouse Métropole in charge of digital transition.
The field of contenders reflected the diversity of innovations developed today in Occitanie. For example, Lisio Liberty presented a responsible digital solution capable of making websites more accessible, lighter, and less impactful on the environment. Toloxa showcased a SaaS solution enriched with an intelligent assistant for diagnosing and maintaining professional equipment in real-time. Batt-Reload presented a modular platform for recycling and reusing electric vehicle batteries.
The jury, composed of recognized figures in the ecosystem, highlighted projects’ innovative nature and their ability to meet market needs and drive real impact on the region’s development.
Batt-Reload received the first prize for its approach to recycling electric vehicle batteries, addressing a key aspect of the energy transition. G.Clips Biotech was awarded the second prize for its modeling of diseases and healthy cells, aiming to accelerate the development of innovative therapies. Nobrak received the Heartwarming Prize for its innovative textile and composite structures technology.
Banque Populaire Occitane utilized this edition to underscore its extensive presence and support system. The bank, with over 600,000 clients and more than 200,000 stakeholders, employs nearly 2,000 staff across three central sites and numerous specialized networks. The bank’s local reinvestment strategy emphasizes supporting regional economy with resources collected locally.
Through this awards event, a clear message emerges: innovation is not just a branding image but a concrete lever for transforming the regional economic fabric. The recognized projects this year touch on strategic sectors such as energy, health, advanced materials, digital, and intelligent maintenance, reflecting a trend towards useful, industrializable solutions that address environmental, technological, and societal challenges.
