The white paper 'Innovating for a Sustainable Future', a result of the work of students from the 5th cohort of the Specialized Master's in Deeptech & Innovation Entrepreneurship (EDI) at Mines Paris – PSL, was published during Global Entrepreneurship Week (November 16-22, 2026). It explores the major challenges in the development of deeptech, from fundamental research to industrialization.
Based on discussions from the Deeptech Forum Paris 2026, the document provides insights for entrepreneurs, investors, and public decision-makers on the necessary conditions to transform scientific advancements into concrete innovations and competitive industrial companies. It aims to decipher deeptech, which offers radically new solutions, and to address the challenges related to distinguishing mature technologies from hypotheses, and between announcement effects and tangible results.
The white paper synthesizes the exchanges from the Deeptech Forum Paris 2026, an event organized by students that brought together experts, entrepreneurs, and investors. It addresses key challenges such as research valorization, project financing, scaling up, and the development of strategic sectors. Analyses and feedback are also provided to transform disruptive innovations into companies that meet economic and societal needs.
The 4th edition of the Deeptech Forum took place on March 18, 2026, at the Ministry of Economy, organized by the MS EDI in conjunction with Dynergie and the Direction Générale des Entreprises.
The document explores four central themes: collective mastery of deeptech and the role of public authorities; innovation for a sustainable future, reconciling progress and planetary limits; the financing continuum to support deeptech through industrialization; and sectoral challenges in health, energy, and defense.
This ambitious educational project, carried out by the Specialized Master's students, is based on learning by doing, bridging research and industry. With the support of partners such as Bpifrance, Dynergie, the Direction Générale des Entreprises, France Deeptech, and Agoranov, this white paper is aimed at all stakeholders in disruptive innovation.
The next edition of the Deeptech Forum is scheduled for Thursday, March 25, 2027. The event, to be held at the Ministry of Economy and Finance – Centre Pierre Mendès-France (Paris 12th), will explore a topical theme. The detailed program and registration will be available soon.
