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Innostart Incubator: Entrepreneurship at RSB

At Rennes School of Business, innovation and entrepreneurship are lived and realised every day. With its Innostart incubator, the school supports students and alumni in transforming an idea into a project, and then a project into a business. Much more than a co-working space, Innostart is a dynamic ecosystem at the heart of Rennes’ economy and connected to an international network of entrepreneurs and experts.

Entrepreneurship, a strategic priority for the school.

Innovation is an integral part of Rennes School of Business’s DNA. True to its philosophy of Unframed Thinking, the school encourages its students to think differently, to dare to be innovative and to create value for tomorrow’s world.

Innostart, the school’s incubator, illustrates this commitment by:

  • By supporting students and recent graduates who want to start their own business,
  • By offering them appropriate educational, human and technical resources,
  • By connecting them to a local and international entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Created in 2014, Innostart’s mission is to stimulate student innovation, regardless of the stage of development of the project.

Who is the Innostart incubator for?

Innostart is open to:

  • All Rennes School of Business students, from the ideation phase to fundraising,
  • Alumni, as well as their entrepreneurial partners,
  • Project leaders actively involved in creating or developing a business.

The programme is designed to accommodate a variety of profiles, from first-time entrepreneurs seeking support to experienced creators in the acceleration phase.

Several programmes tailored to all stages

Innostart offers three incubation programmes, depending on the maturity of the project:

1. Open Innostart

Who it’s for: aspiring entrepreneurs

Objectives: discover, experiment, structure an idea

Contents: workshops, events, monthly interviews, access to mentors and the platform

2. 100 Days to Start

Who it’s for: people with ideas or projects in the structuring phase

Objectives: validate the concept, test the business model, test the market

Content: personalised workshops, dedicated mentors, co-working, bi-monthly follow-ups, access to the start-up ecosystem

3. Scale-up

Who it’s for: entrepreneurs who have already launched their business

Objectives: accelerate growth, structure development

Formats:

  • Long: 6 to 12 months (in Rennes or Paris)
  • Short: modules of 3 to 10 sessions
  • Individualised and operational support

    Each project leader receives regular, personalised coaching tailored to their challenges and needs. Practical workshops are offered on market research, business models, pitching, prototyping, storytelling, customer acquisition and fundraising. Entrepreneurs also have access to a network of more than fifty experts, including entrepreneurs, investors and consultants. Sessions may focus on defining the value proposition, understanding the value chain, implementing an action plan, developing the MVP (minimum viable product), as well as pitch and financing strategies.

  • A stimulating ecosystem in the heart of Rennes

    Located in the heart of the Rennes campus, Innostart offers an environment conducive to innovation and collaboration. The incubator has a welcoming reception area in Building 2 (ground floor), two co-working spaces in Building 4, and twenty-four workstations in closed offices. Project leaders also have free access to all of Rennes School of Business's digital resources. Anchored in a dynamic region, Innostart maintains strong partnerships with local competitiveness clusters, local authorities, and other innovation players such as Station B and Le Poool. This anchoring within a dense entrepreneurial ecosystem promotes synergies, opportunities for collaboration, and project development.

  • Tangible results

    Since its creation, Innostart has contributed to the launch of 162 start-ups, raised €217 million in funding and supported 347 entrepreneurs. The incubator is surrounded by a solid network of 21 strategic partners, 50 experts, 347 identified investors and more than 1,200 alumni entrepreneurs who can be called upon for support. More than just an incubator, Innostart embodies a true entrepreneurial culture, directly linked to the teaching methods of Rennes School of Business. The MSc in Innovation and Entrepreneurship illustrates this integrated approach, with a specialisation in innovation management, workshops run in partnership with Station Rennes Innovation, pitch-dating and mentoring sessions, and personalised support from the head of entrepreneurship.

Partners

Innostart develops partnerships with professionals in the world of innovation as well as incubators in the region, such as Station B, all driven by the desire to help our start-ups grow!

Inspiring success stories

Here are a few examples of start-ups supported by Innostart:

  • KIRAE: promoting soft skills through games
  • AEROSOLUTION: aerosols without toxic gases, using compressed air
  • KICK THE PRO: connecting amateur and professional athletes
  • STEEPLE: internal communications expert (95 employees)
  • OLINO: insurance solutions for professionals (€1.9 million raised)

A team dedicated to entrepreneurship

  • Valentin HENRY, Head of Entrepreneurship, RSB graduate (class of 22) and entrepreneur
  • Paul GALLE, entrepreneurial support manager, specialising in operational monitoring
  • Around twenty expert speakers lead coaching sessions and workshops throughout the year

 

Incubateur Innostart au Bâtiment 1

Through Innostart, Rennes School of Business offers an ambitious, structured and deeply human entrepreneurial support programme. Drawing on hands-on teaching, concrete resources and an exceptional network, the school gives project leaders the tools to succeed, innovate and have a lasting impact on their environment.

Whether you are a student or a graduate, if you have an idea, RSB offers you the means to turn it into a business.

 

FAQs – Entrepreneurship at Rennes School of Business

Can I join Innostart if I only have an idea?

Yes. The Open Innostart programme is designed for people with ideas at an early stage. It allows you to test and structure your project.

Is the support compatible with classes?

Yes. The incubation programme is designed to adapt to the students’ pace. Workshops, coaching and follow-ups can be scheduled outside of peak academic periods.

Is it reserved for RSB students?

The incubator is primarily intended for students and alumni of Rennes SB, but their associates can also join the programmes if they are involved in the project.

Is it possible to receive funding?

Innostart does not directly finance projects, but supports project leaders in their search for funding, puts them in touch with investors and helps them structure their applications.

Is it possible to combine studies and incubation at Innostart?

Yes, the support is designed to fit around academic schedules. Workshops and coaching sessions are flexible and can be scheduled outside of class hours. This allows students to develop their entrepreneurial projects while continuing their studies.

What types of projects are supported?

Innostart supports a wide variety of projects: technological innovations, social or environmental initiatives, and business creation in the digital, food, culture, and tourism sectors. The aim is to promote creativity and diversity in the entrepreneurial approaches of students and alumni.