Every year, the national Les Entrep’ program continues to showcase the talent, ideas, and strong commitment of students. In 2026, two teams from UTBM stood out in particular during the Franche-Comté edition, reaffirming the institution’s entrepreneurial spirit.
For five months, 26 teams from across Franche-Comté took on a major challenge: designing an entrepreneurial project from start to finish. With the support of mentors and experts from the professional world, the participants went through an intense, collaborative experience that was grounded in practical application and focused on taking action.
This immersive experience allows students to develop key skills in project management, innovation, and teamwork. It is a challenging and formative adventure, praised by everyone involved in the program.
Nexsim, 2026 Entrep’ Franche-Comté Award
The Nexsim project stood out by winning the 2026 Entrep’ Award. This promising innovation in the field of medical simulation offers a hybrid simulator that combines a physical model, virtual reality, and a mobile app for respiratory care training.
The project is led by Jules Ferlin (UTBM engineering student—Master’s in ETI), Justine Viennot (ESTM—Pigier Besançon), and Léonard Jund (UTBM engineering student). The team will represent the region at the national finals scheduled for May 19 in Marseille.
Akili, 2026 Innovation Award
The Akili project, for its part, was awarded the Innovation Prize. It is an innovative educational tool that combines a physical device, an app, and a website, designed to help students learn in a more engaging and focused way.
This project is led by Cyatwa Joanna (Master’s in ISC-RSA, UTBM), Junior Angambun, Aymane El Finou, and Lula Jonathan Mbeck, all engineering students at UTBM.
The success of this year’s program is due to the commitment of many individuals and organizations. UTBM would like to thank the Entrep’ Franche-Comté collective, particularly Géraldine Hamelin and Elena Moise, as well as the mentors for their invaluable support. Special recognition goes to Ali Gumus, president of the Welcome Group and mentor to the Class of 2026.
Institutional and economic partners, including Bpifrance, the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Region, Crédit Agricole Franche-Comté, Grand Belfort, and Pays de Montbéliard Agglomération, also play a key role in the program’s success.
Through initiatives like this, UTBM reaffirms its mission: to train engineers capable of envisioning, innovating, and taking action. This entrepreneurial spirit is fostered in particular within the “Technological Entrepreneurship and Innovation” master’s program, led by Katy Cabaret, where several participants from this year’s cohort are continuing their involvement.
These awards demonstrate the students' ability to turn their ideas into concrete projects that are meaningful and impactful.
