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Gene.iO

Gene.iO – Genopole’s deep tech accelerator to help you structure, finance, and scale your startup


Discover also: Shaker Program Upscale Bio Program Research support

GENE.iO, l'accélérateur de Genopole à destination des startups Deeptech GENE.iO, l'accélérateur de Genopole à destination des startups Deeptech

Are you an entrepreneur leading a deeptech startup in the healthcare or bioeconomy sectors? Have you identified significant technological potential, but need a structured framework to refine your strategy, enhance your business plan, and prepare for the key stages of your growth?

Gene.iO, Genopole’s accelerator, is designed for biotech entrepreneurs who want to:
✔️ Structure their business plan and financial strategy.
✔️ Accelerate their business development and market access.
✔️ Prepare their fundraising journey and industrial roadmap.
✔️ Think ahead and reinforce their bases.

In the deeptech world, where development cycles are long and funding challenges are complex, Gene.iO offers you the support, tools, and network you need to make a difference.

Gene.iO: A program designed to meet the tangible needs of entrepreneurs

Startups supported by Gene.iO often share the following characteristics:
✔️ Significant innovation and world-class scientific expertise.
✔️ A commitment to making an impact in strategic sectors (healthcare, industrial biotechnology, the bioeconomy, etc.).
✔️ A need for structure to transform a scientific breakthrough into a solid, transparent, and credible business.
To be successful, a promising technology must follow a clear path:
✔️ Clarify the startup’s positioning.
✔️ Develop a realistic economic vision.
✔️ Refine the business strategy and prepare for interactions with investors.
✔️ Prioritize the steps to move faster and more accurately, with a coherent roadmap.

To meet these needs, Gene.iO works with entrepreneurs by offering comprehensive, integrated support tailored to the specific challenges of each startup.

Gene.iO: a combined approach to startup success
⦿ A shared foundation: Starter Kit + mentoring for all startups.
⦿ Personalized support based on 4 key pillars: Tailored to the specific needs of your project.

This structure allows us to maintain a big-picture perspective while providing concrete solutions to each startup’s priority issues.

Every startup is unique. That’s why Gene.iO combines:
✔️ Group sessions (workshops) to address key topics (strategy, financing, industrialization, etc.).
✔️ Personalized support from dedicated experts, tailored to your specific needs.
✔️ A customized roadmap for each project, with regular follow-ups and tools to help organize the work.

Gene.iO does not seek to standardize: the program aims to provide the right level of support at the right time, based on the specific challenges of each startup.
Flexibility, modularity, and efficiency are Gene.iO’s core values

The Gene.iO Program Overview

The Starter Kit: A Solid Foundation for a Great Start!
As soon as you join the Gene.iO program, you’ll receive a comprehensive Starter Kit to help you get off to a strong start:

A 360° Audit of Your Startup

💶 Added value: Identifier les forces, faiblesses et opportunités pour bâtir un plan d’actions sur mesure.

Un prêt d’un an à taux zéro de 20k€

💶 Added value: Provided at the start of the program to leverage funding efforts.

Customized support

💶 Added value: A dedicated Genopole Startup Manager to provide support tailored to your needs.

A Dedicated Mentor

💶 Added value: An expert or experienced entrepreneur to guide and challenge you.

Access to innovation networks

💶 Added value: Genopole’s French and international networks to expand your opportunities.

Access to Genopole’s 23 shared technology platforms

💶 Added value: To speed up your R&D and test your solutions.


Personalized support based on four key pillars.

Once the 360° audit is complete, a customized program is developed in collaboration with the entrepreneur.
This program, designed specifically for your deeptech startup, is built on 4 strategic pillars to address the challenges faced by innovative startups.

Business Development & Collaboration with Key Accounts

🎯 Objectives: Accelerate Your Entry into the B2B Market

💶 Added value: Strategic partnerships in France and internationally, pilot contracts, customer validation

Market Access & Internationalization

🎯 Objectives: Preparing for Your Expansion

💶 Added value: Export strategy, international network, cultural adaptation

Fundraising & Financing

🎯 Objectives: Secure Your Resources

💶 Added value: Business plan solide, datarooms investisseurs, calibration des besoins

Preparation for Industrialization

🎯 Objectives: Planning for Large-Scale Production

💶 Added value: Cost optimization, pricing strategy, manufacturing roadmap

A Community That Empowers You

Beyond individual support, Gene.iO leverages the strength of the community and the network. Joining Gene.iO means becoming part of the Genopole ecosystem dedicated to biotechnology.
Entrepreneurs thus benefit from:
✔️ Exclusive gatherings of founders, alumni, and partners.
✔️ Targeted networking events to create synergies.
✔️ Enhanced mentoring with industry experts.
✔️ Highlighting Your Success Stories to Inspire and Attract New Talent.

Gene.iO thus becomes more than just a program: it’s an ecosystem where startups grow together and gain visibility.
This collective dimension reflects Genopole’s core values: supporting individual projects while fostering an environment conducive to innovation, collaboration, and the development of high-potential companies.

Why apply to Gene.iO?


Applying to Gene.iO means joining a program designed for startups looking to reach the next level of maturity.
The program is aimed at entrepreneurs of deep-tech startups who need to:
⦿ Strengthen their strategy and business model.
⦿ Preparing for key milestones: fundraising, commercial agreements, and scaling up production.
⦿ Gain clarity, structure, and ambition.

How and When Should You Join Gene.iO?

How do I join the program?

  1. Submitting Your Application: Applications must be submitted exclusively through the genopole.agorize.com platform.
  2. Selection: A committee of experts evaluates the proposals based on criteria such as innovation, market potential, and feasibility.
  3. Onboarding: The winners join the program for one year after signing a contract with Genopole.

When should you join the program?

Genopole issues a call for applications to join Gene.iO once a year.
Cohort #6 will begin in October 2026; the call for applications opens in June 2026.

Schedule for the Gene.iO#6 Call for Applications

Call for Applications

Application deadline: July 27, 2026

Selection of winners by a committee of experts

September 9 and 10 or 11, 2026

Program Start

October 15, 2026

If you would like more information, please schedule an appointment with our Program Manager by filling out the following form:

To find out the dates of upcoming sessions, be sure to bookmark this link!
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FAQ – Everything You Need to Know About Gene.iO

  • Who is Gene.iO intended for?

    Gene.iO is designed for deep tech and biotech startups (healthcare, industrial biotechnology, bioeconomy, etc.) seeking to structure their growth and prepare for key stages in their development.

  • What does the support program offer?

    Gene.iO combine :

    • Starter Kit (360° audit, €20,000 advance, mentoring, access to platforms, etc.).
    • Group workshops and themed sessions.
    • Personalized support on issues related to structuring, financing, the market, and industrialization.
  • Why is Gene.iO a good fit for science-based startups?

    Because it meets the specific needs of science-based founders:

    • Turning an innovation into a business.
    • Strengthen the business plan and make it easy for investors to understand.
    • Plan for scaling up (industrialization, market, financing).
  • How much does the program cost?

    Gene.iO is 100% funded by Genopole: you receive a €20,000 interest-free loan with no equity stake.

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