Innovation

I joined the Benkei consulting team in 2021. The core of my activity consists in leading international consortia in order to set up collaborative projects of European scale (H2020, HE, Innovation Fund). I also assist various academic and industrial entities in obtaining funding from national (ANR; Bpi) or European (ERC) funding agencies.

European (ERC) funding agencies.

My daily work is based on the skills acquired during more than eleven years of experience in defining, leading and managing research projects in various European institutions (Oxford University, CNRS, Max Planck Institute). During my 7 years of postdoctoral work at the Max Planck Institute in Dortmund, I led several collaborations and research projects which led me to lead interdisciplinary and international teams. This experience gave me a good understanding of research issues and a broad scientific culture. Since 2020 and my return to France, I have been working as a consultant in innovation financing, to support projects in fields as varied as renewable energies, food safety and microelectronics.

At Benkei since 2019, I have been working with start-ups as well as ETIs in the key phases of their innovation strategy, their commercial marketing and their search for financing (EIC Accelerator).

After more than 6 years in public research in France (CEA Leti, Grenoble) and in the USA (UC Los Angeles), I participated in the creation of a start-up in the USA (San Francisco) in microfluidics for the isolation and analysis of cancer cells from blood. As co-founder and chief scientific officer, I have notably: conducted market studies, developed successive technological iterations (consumable and instrument), set up collaborations with KOLs for the use of the technology for different cancer types and downstream applications, participated in the construction of the business plan, fundraising, first sales, managed a patent portfolio and handled scientific publications and communications.

Facilitating collaborations and managing research and innovation projects has been my profession for over 20 years. Alongside dozens of consortia, I am proud to have been able to support researchers and entrepreneurs from all countries and horizons in the achievement of their projects and common objectives.

As an engineer in process engineering, I have been supporting collaborative R&D projects for more than 20 years, in European and national contexts, and in all research themes. Holder of the PMP® certification since 2016, I have contributed to professionalize the approach of the support and management of collaborative projects thanks to tools and methods specifically adapted to these projects which are generally complex due to their multicultural, multidisciplinary and multisectorial features.

I joined Benkei at the beginning of 2022 with the objective of assisting innovative structures in the definition and implementation of their financing strategy. I quickly took part in setting up proposals concerning both national (CIR, CII) and European (EIC Accelerator) schemes. I also participated in the coordination of European collaborative projects.

With a background in materials engineering, I initially oriented myself towards research with a first internship in fundamental research at the Aimé Coton Laboratory. My specialisation in energy and the environment, as well as my desire to get closer to the world of industry, led me to carry out my end-of-studies internship in applied research at the National Solar Energy Institute. I worked on the study of new materials for the design of perovskite solar cells. These two experiences allowed me to explore the world of innovation while making me aware of the economic constraints encountered in the latter. I finally turned to innovation finance consulting in order to combine my desire to help develop new technologies with my interest in consulting.

Since my arrival at Benkei in March 2021, I have been able to participate in the support of different clients in their financing strategy through national and European schemes, as well as through the setting up of European collaborative projects (RIA). I have also developed a particular interest in the integration of social (e.g. gender) and environmental issues in innovative projects.

During my training as a materials engineer at INSA Lyon, I specialised in the fields of polymer science and environmental studies. I had the opportunity to take part in several projects with companies in these two fields, including a 6-month research project on biopolymers for cosmetics, with the IMP Lyon and Gattefossé laboratories. Moreover, my experience in associative projects and grants gave me a taste for coaching and project management.

I joined Benkei in March 2022 and was initially in charge of designing tools for European projects. Since then, I have been involved in national and European projects in various fields such as space or data centres. I also had the opportunity to assist companies in the implementation of their research tax credit.

Graduated in biology, I had the opportunity to put my knowledge into practice during various internships in academic research, mainly in oncology and virology. Wishing to widen my field of vision and my skills, I completed this course with a management of companies training at the IAE Lyon.

I discovered the profession of innovation consultant through my involvement as a researcher in an FUI project. The consultant who supported us had the role of project manager and assisted the coordinator at each stage of the project. Both curious and very attached to human relations, I decided at the end of 2019 to reorient my career to work in the coordination of innovation projects. Since then, I have been involved in French and European projects with a wide variety of themes (geothermal energy, plastic and smart materials…) during which I have supported many scientists to better understand each other and to better exchange with their funders.

My university career was first composed of a mixture of biology and chemistry, followed by a general master’s degree on the environment, and finally I specialized in materials. This scientific background allowed me to complete a multidisciplinary CIFRE thesis on the biodeterioration of cement materials in sewage networks. I then joined the cement company which had financed this thesis, where I was involved in French collaborative projects (RILEM, FUI) and was recognized as an expert in European standardization committees. My taste for innovation then led me to reorient my career towards project management and consulting.

Since October 2021, I am at Benkei in charge of the coordination of European research projects (H2020 program). Beyond the management and the administrative and financial aspects of the projects, I also manage the dissemination and scientific communication activities as well as the exploitation of the research results.

I have acquired more than 15 years of experience in the field of scientific research. I started my career as a researcher in an academic laboratory and then in a startup in biotechnology (Entomed SA). I then worked at the interface between public laboratories and industry as a communication and technology marketing officer in the research development department of the University of Lyon. Following this experience, I provided support in the management of the « laboratory of excellence » ECOFECT, a collaborative research project in infectious diseases for 4 years. I then joined the LYSARC (Association of Clinical Research on Lymphoma) and the Carnot institute CALYM as Communication Officer. From September 2019 to September 2021 I worked as a consultant in the coordination of European research projects within the Ayming group in the Grants and Partnerships department.

Passionate about R&I, I am also involved in various actions related to this profession. In particular, since 2018, I have been President of the Association of Innovation Consultants. I am the director and co-founder of AEIC, a European association bringing together colleagues from all over the continent.

As an engineer in industrial engineering from INSA Lyon, I have specialized for more than 20 years in supporting collaborative R&D projects, innovative companies and innovation players.

In particular, I supported more than 200 collaborative projects at French and European level (including more than 100 European projects since the 4th FP), in various fields such as telecommunications, health, energy, nanomaterials, etc… I also provided guidance to several companies and entrepreneurs in defining their innovation strategy.

After 7 years as Head of the « collaborative R&I projects » activity for the French leader in innovation consulting, I founded Benkei in 2014 with the ambition to converge financing consulting and strategy consulting, and to propose an original innovation consulting offer.

I joined Benkei in March 2019 with the desire to support companies in their development strategy, through the design of tools for European projects management (financial modelling, Business Plan, Business Model). Since then, I have been involved in supporting European collaborative projects (RIA, cascade fundings) and single-partner projects of European (EMFF) and national (PIA 3) dimensions.

Trained in the fields of Biology, with a focus on Physiology and Neurosciences, I quickly had the opportunity to apply my skills in research laboratories as well as hospitals. Stimulated by project dynamics, I then completed this training with a professional certification in project management, which materialized the same year by obtaining, with my team, the creativity prize in the Campus Création entrepreneurship competition.

With an executive MBA from EM Lyon, I am specialised in evaluating the market and economic potential of R&D projects and in drawing up business and marketing plans.

As a general engineer from INSA Lyon, I have specialized for 20 years in supporting collaborative R&D projects, innovative companies and innovation players.

In particular, I have supported more than 200 collaborative projects at the French and European level (including more than 100 European projects since the 4th FP), in various technological fields (materials, NICT, Health) as well as different procedures (FP, BPI, Region).

I have also been an evaluator for the European Commission, notably for R&D projects in material engineering and NICT as well as on the SME instrument (NICT) from 2015 to 2017 and on FTI since 2019.

Before joining Benkei, I was Director of the European Project Development Unit for the French leader in innovation consulting (1997-2007), then created a subsidiary abroad (2007-2010) and the Innovative Project Financing Department (2011-2018) for another company in the same sector.

Since 2012, I have acquired a recognized experience in the setting up, negotiation and coordination of innovative collaborative projects on behalf of companies/entities of all sizes and in various technological fields (materials, microelectronics, photovoltaics, health, energy, environment). My experience has allowed me to ensure the engineering of several collaborative projects as well as the coordination of complex missions for large accounts in France and abroad involving up to 53 public and private organizations for budgets up to 45 M€. I have also developed a thorough knowledge of the procedures and mechanisms of public co-financing of R&D projects at national and European level.

I have a PhD in biology (oncology and inflammation) from Queen Mary University in London (2012), and a degree in biotechnology engineering from ESIL in Marseille (2007). Following my PhD, I turned to innovation finance consulting. I am fluent in English and obtained the Project Management Professional (PMP®) certification in 2015.

Since I joined BENKEI in 2018, I have developed a range of new skills in order to best support my clients in their innovation strategy. I have put my technical and scientific culture to good use, to address various topics ranging from food sciences to medical devices and artificial intelligence applied to the artistic field! Above all, my clients appreciate my ability to quickly understand their problems and my involvement in their projects through my creativity, with propositions at every level.

After graduating, I joined the R&D team of an international packaging company where I first worked on several projects for the synthesis of innovative polymers dedicated to inks (incorporation of vegetable raw materials, development of new functionalities). I then moved to the position of Industrial Property Manager, instilling a strategic vision of IP and boosting the company technical watch process.

Within Benkei, I support consortia of companies in the management of their funded R&D projects, at European and national levels. This support concerns all aspects of project follow-up (consortium animation, strategic orientation, budget and risks, communication, exploitation…) and allows the consortium to reach its objectives, while respecting the obligations of the funding organisation.

After a DUT in Physical Measurements and a Master specialized in innovative projects management, I worked for different structures (proGective, Ministry of Transport, Chamber of Commerce and Industry), with project management and international as a common thread. I then worked for more than 10 years in innovation financing consultancy (collaborative R&D projects on a national and European scale and Research Tax Credit). This allowed me to support consortia of different sizes (from 1 to 20 partners) and in several technological fields (nanomaterials, rail transport, cobotics…).

I have led several dozen innovation and partnership strategy consulting missions for very large companies, mid-cap companies and SMEs. I have animated numerous sessions of ideation and creativity as well as implemented Open Innovation strategies. With a solid experience of the Research Tax Credit, I have assisted more than a hundred companies in the implementation of this French fiscal system and accompanied some of them during audits by the French administration, in collaboration with tax lawyers. I have provided support for various industries, such as automotive, telecommunications, medical equipment, specialty chemicals, capital goods, aeronautics and agri-food industries.

I began my career in public policy evaluation before turning to advising companies on innovation strategy and financing, a profession I have exercised for 25 years.

In Benkei, I have supported innovative projects in their financing and management, in various fields: music streaming, food packaging, plastic materials, business intelligence, microelectronics, civil engineering, and circular economy among others. I have acquired the specific experience of setting up European projects throughout the entire innovation process, from academic research to manufacturing and market munch, as well as setting up Open Innovation Test Beds and Digital Innovation Hubs. Last but not least, I have an extensive expertise on the EIC Accelerator program, with 5 funded projects.

I have worked in high-tech fields: bio and nanotechnology (pathology detection, synthesis of nanocages for molecule storage), green chemistry and organic chemistry (design of catalysts, studies of aerobic oxidation reactions), in French and foreign laboratories, before joining Benkei in 2014.

In Benkei, I support innovative companies and innovation players (research centers, competitiveness clusters, etc.) in their innovation and financing strategies. I also take part in training workshops on European research programs, and more particularly on « cascad fundings ».

I first worked for more than 15 years in an innovation financing consultant firm, where I worked on the various levers of innovation financing for my clients (collaborative R&D projects on a national and European scale, investment financing, Research Tax Credit, Innovation Tax Credit, Young Innovative Company, European Investment Bank…).

I then directly participated in the development of Biom’up, for 2 years, as Innovation Financing Manager, where I was specifically looking for financing (more than 2 M€ / year), and managing a portfolio of 7 patent families.

Since 2006, I have been helping my clients (academics, large groups, SMEs, start-ups) in the MedTech, Biotech, Digital health and innovative materials sectors to find public funding. I am involved all along the implementation of their innovative projects: maturation, strategy, partnership, exploitation of results, business model, steering, contractual follow-up. I have acquired an in-depth knowledge of European projects, collaborative or single-partner, from fundamental research to industrial development. I obtained the Project Management Professional (PMP®) certification in 2016.

I have recently developed a particular interest in research data management and open science.

I have a research-based education supplemented by a Master’s degree in Economic Intelligence and nearly 15 years of professional experience in Innovation strategy.

After being a post doctoral researcher at the Welcome/CRC Institute, Cambridge, UK, I worked as an information specialist for BioMérieux and Sanofi Pasteur.

I joined BENKEI in 2018. I support all innovative project leaders in the structuring and development of their innovation projects: collaborative R&D projects on a national scale, European funding (EIC Accelerator) and tax arrangements (CIR, CII, JEI).

Following my PhD in collaboration with EDF R&D in the field of energy for building, I joined in 2008 a start-up specialising in the energy performance of buildings, neighborhoods and networks. As Head of Innovation, I contributed to creating the company’s innovative offers (smart grids, performance contracting, etc.) and managed my team to efficiently address the needs of our customers. I have tendered, won and led several innovative projects (ANR, ADEME) combining energy and digital performance.