iXcampus welcomes Bruno Bonnell and reaffirms its commitment to the photonics sector

iXcampus had the honor of welcoming Bruno Bonnell, Secretary General for Investment, to its site in Saint-Germain-en-Laye. This visit took place within the framework of the initiative jointly led by iXcampus and Institut d’Optique Graduate School, in response to the Compétences et Métiers d’Avenir call for projects, aimed at supporting the strategic photonics sector.

The program presented seeks to build a structured continuum of training, ranging from vocational high school to master’s level, while also integrating continuing education opportunities to meet the growing demand for skills. In parallel, it provides tailored support for startups, accompanying them from laboratory research through to the creation of their first factory, with the objective of turning scientific discoveries into tangible industrial solutions.

During the visit, iXcampus highlighted the unique strengths of its model. The campus hosts a deeptech accelerator supported by a cutting-edge technological platform, enabling entrepreneurs to develop and scale up their innovations under optimal conditions. It also relies on a strong academic offering, developed in partnership with leading universities, to train the talents needed by startups and industrial players. Finally, iXcampus brings together major industrial partners, such as Exail, who act as mentors by guiding tomorrow’s SMEs and mid-sized industrial companies.

The day was marked by several presentations illustrating the journey from laboratory to industrial prototype. Francesco Manegatti (NcodiN), Florent Alzetto (HiQuTe Diamond) and Olivier Le Blainvaux (Technofounders) shared their experiences as deeptech entrepreneurs, underlining the importance of a robust ecosystem in transforming research into concrete solutions. Frédéric Lecourt (CY École de design) emphasized how design can serve as a key driver for deeptech, while Fabien Napolitano (Exail) offered participants an immersion into the production lines of the industrial player based on campus.

This visit reaffirmed the central role of iXcampus within the French and Greater Paris deeptech ecosystem. By bringing together education, research and entrepreneurship, the campus actively contributes to strengthening the competitiveness of the French photonics sector and to accelerating the emergence of an innovative, sustainable, and sovereign industry.