The Sorbonne University Cité de l'Innovation promotes scientific innovation and entrepreneurship at the heart of the Pierre et Marie Curie campus. It will enable research and development companies created in Sorbonne University laboratories, or linked to them, to develop in dedicated premises.

The Sorbonne University Cité de l'Innovation will bring mutual enrichment to the entire Sorbonne University community. Laboratories will benefit from facilitated relationships with the companies they have helped to create, notably through research chairs and contracts. Students, for their part, will benefit from the opportunities offered by the Pépite team that will be set up at the Cité, as well as many other initiatives such as internships, employment opportunities and participation in business start-ups.

The Sorbonne University Cité de l'Innovation marks the first time a university has inaugurated a building of this size, designed to accommodate around 800 people.

The Sorbonne University Cité de l'Innovation enables us to fulfill one of the university's major missions (alongside education and research) — innovation and transfer to society. This will be achieved by strengthening the link between research, entrepreneurship and the student community in a single space.

The new infrastructure, designed by international architectural heavyweights BIG and OXO, will make it possible to achieve this objective in an ecosystem as exceptional as that of Sorbonne University.

The Sorbonne University Cité de l'Innovation will encapsulate several types of spaces:

• A business hotel and incubator spaces, occupied by research and development companies, Sorbonne University's innovation services, such as Pépite, or its partners such as Satt Lutech
• A ground-floor cafeteria, and a panoramic events space and catering area on the top floor
• The "canyon," or interior thoroughfare, available for large-scale events
• Amphitheaters and seminar rooms on the first floor
• A demonstration space/showroom

Corporate areas will have dedicated premises, with certain shared services.

The canyon, designed as an interior street, will be open to the whole Sorbonne University campus. It will feature a cafeteria for occupants, researchers and students. A showroom will present the achievements of laboratories and companies housed at the Sorbonne University Cité de l'Innovation.

On the top floor and terrace (R+5), an events and catering area will host Sorbonne University events and offer services to occupants.

Interested companies and project leaders can apply by contacting Sorbonne University by email.

The process is designed to identify projects that would benefit most from the unique ecosystem offered by the Sorbonne University Cité de l'Innovation.

Yes! the Sorbonne University Cité de l'Innovation aims to build bridges between student, research, innovation and entrepreneurship communities.

• Structures such as Pépite will be able to host student entrepreneurs
• Hosted companies will offer internships and jobs that may also be of interest to you
• Events, conferences and round tables will be regularly organized and open to the public

The Sorbonne University Cité de l'Innovation represents a strategic opportunity for partner companies to collaborate with one of France's leading universities in the field of research and innovation.

You will benefit from the visibility associated with Sorbonne University and the opportunity to participate in joint R&D programs.

The major advantage is that the whole Sorbonne University ecosystem, from its student community to research staff, will contribute to the success of chosen companies by participating in them in a variety of ways.

• Engineers and researchers are often at the origin of these companies or support their projects through cooperation contracts.
• Similarly, students and graduates will conduct internships, CIFREs, and benefit from job opportunities.
• What's more, companies are ideally placed to call on the services of Sorbonne University's 150 scientific platforms.

The Sorbonne University Cité de l'Innovation will be both, and more! It will be characterized by services linked to its unique location: the heart of Paris, on a university campus, offering a valuable opportunity for science-based entrepreneurs, laboratories and students wishing to establish links with the business world or showcase their discoveries.

The are three lengths of stay: short for a starting incubator (12 to 24 months), medium for a business incubator (3 years) and long for a business center (5 years.) 

Sorbonne University has put in place a rigorous selection process to ensure that the applications submitted are of a high scientific standard, and that the companies have a cooperative project linked to the campus.

The Sorbonne University Cité de l'Innovation has chosen Agoranov to support its business incubators.

Historically linked to Sorbonne University, which founded it, Agoranov is one of France's leading incubators, managed by a non-profit association.

Accompanied companies will be housed on two levels covering 4,500 m², i.e. just under half the floor space. These innovative companies will be linked to Sorbonne University, either through research contracts or licenses, or because they have been created by research entrepreneurs or university alumni.

The role of the business center is to host innovative research and development companies that work closely with Sorbonne University, and have already succeeded in securing initial fundraising to finance their projects.

A selection committee has validated the scientific relevance of hosting a company at the Cité de l'Innovation, thanks to expert appraisals carried out by university researchers. These companies were born in the university's laboratories, and all presented, in their application and during their audition, a project for scientific cooperation and the development of their relations with its student community.

Financing comes from subsidies from public partners (State, City of Paris, Île-de-France Region). Investment and operating costs are self-financed thanks to subsidies and revenues from the multi-year business model. Company rents will ensure break-even operations. The operation will therefore be financially neutral for Sorbonne University.

• Sorbonne University: €52M in equity capital
• French State: €4M
• Île-de-France Region: €2M
• City of Paris: €11M

The opening is scheduled for late 2025 - early 2026.

The Sorbonne University Cité de l'Innovation boasts over 15,000 m² dedicated to innovation and project incubation.

The architectural vision for the Cité de l'innovation Sorbonne Université focuses on creating a space that embodies the university's commitment to innovation and academic excellence. Designed by international agencies BIG and OXO, the building is distinguished by its bold architecture, while respecting Paris's historic urban setting.

Key architectural features:

• Innovative façade: the building's façade is designed to offer spectacular views of the Latin Quarter and other Parisian monuments, including Notre-Dame de Paris.
• Landscape integration: the project incorporates hanging gardens and green spaces, enriching local biodiversity and providing rest and meeting places for building users and the public. These green spaces are designed to create a natural link between the interior of the campus and its urban environment.
• Flexibility and modularity: the interior of the building has been designed to be flexible and modular, enabling a variety of uses and the ability to adapt. Interior spaces encourage collaboration and creativity, with zones dedicated to work and more informal exchanges.
• Respect for heritage: while resolutely modern, the building's design takes into account the historical and architectural context of Paris, in particular the heritage of the Left Bank. The architecture harmonizes with the surrounding structures while asserting its own identity, symbolizing the university's ambition.

The Sorbonne University Cité de l'Innovation is designed to meet the highest environmental standards.

The building has been awarded a NF HQE sustainable building certification at the “excellent” level, guaranteeing eco-responsible design and optimal energy management.

The catering on offer will emphasize an eco-responsible, low-carbon approach, in compliance with the EGalim law.