SPARK-Bordeaux Program
What makes SPARK different from traditional academic research or business incubation? SPARK is a 2-year program that sits between these models. We are not a grant program, although we provide funding. We are not an incubator, although we support startup creation. We are not a university course, although we provide education. SPARK is a mentoring network that brings all three together.
How does it work?
- Selection
We run annual calls for applications for researchers at University of Bordeaux across all career stages. Projects are evaluated on scientific merit, translational potential, unmet clinical need, and team capability.
Project selection is a collective process. The SPARK-Bordeaux team works alongside jury members drawn from PUI Bordeaux and the wider regional innovation ecosystem, bringing in expertise from across the Nouvelle-Aquitaine health and life sciences community to ensure rigorous, well-informed evaluation of each application. -
Mentorship
Selected projects (our "SPARKees") are matched with industry/academic advisors who have deep expertise in relevant areas such as drug development, diagnostics, medical devices, regulatory affairs, business development, or clinical development. - Funding
SPARKees receive seed funding to accomplish specific, strategic milestones: target validation experiments, proof-of-concept studies, prototype development, regulatory consultation, or market research. - Education
Throughout their SPARK journey, researchers participate in seminars, workshops, and one-on-one sessions that build their translational literacy. They learn to think like both scientists and strategists. - Advancement
The goal is to advance each project to the point where it's ready for the next stage: licensing to an existing company, spinning out as a startup, moving into clinical trials, or attracting significant follow-on funding.