GRAND POITIERS – COMMUNAUTE D’AGGLOMERATION DE POITIERS

Discover the Greater Poitiers Healthcare Cluster: A Centre of Excellence and Innovation

The Greater Poitiers region does not merely provide high-quality healthcare; it is also at the forefront of medical innovation. The city’s researchers, doctors and institutions are working together to advance medicine. Fields such as telemedicine, biotechnology research and preventive medicine are at the heart of the region’s innovation initiatives.

In particular, Poitiers has set up telemedicine programmes to provide rapid and efficient access to medical care, especially in rural areas. Thanks to these initiatives, patients can consult specialists without having to travel, thereby reducing geographical barriers. This not only facilitates access to care but also optimises healthcare professionals’ time and improves the effectiveness of treatments.

The city is also home to leading research centres in the field of neuroscience. These centres are at the forefront of significant advances in our understanding of neurological diseases and mental health conditions.

For businesses wishing to establish themselves in an environment conducive to innovation and growth in the healthcare sector, the Greater Poitiers area offers unique opportunities.  Modern infrastructure, support for research and development, and a strong network of healthcare professionals and researchers make Poitiers an ideal place to develop ambitious projects and contribute to medical progress.

A Dynamic and Prestigious Healthcare Ecosystem in Poitiers

The dynamism of the healthcare sector in Poitiers is underpinned by a collaborative ecosystem comprising hospitals, research centres, universities and innovative companies. This favourable environment encourages the creation of synergies between the various stakeholders, thereby fostering the emergence of new medical solutions and cutting-edge technologies.

Poitiers is home to a multitude of renowned medical institutions, contributing to its reputation as a leading healthcare centre. The Poitiers University Hospital (CHU) stands out as a cornerstone of the healthcare sector. With its modern facilities and a highly skilled medical team, the Poitiers University Hospital (CHU) provides high-quality care across a range of medical and surgical specialities. This hospital is recognised for its expertise and its commitment to innovation and medical excellence.

The universities of Poitiers offer high-quality medical training programmes, educating the next generation of healthcare professionals. These programmes are designed to prepare students for the challenges of modern medicine, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in their respective fields.

Run by the Poitiers University Hospital in partnership with the University of Poitiers, the Institute for Paramedical Training is a key part of the local healthcare ecosystem. This institute, occupying a space of nearly 3,500 m² near the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, welcomes students from 11 paramedical training programmes. Of these programmes, five are directly affiliated with the University, including those for nurses, nurse anaesthetists, physiotherapists, radiographers and occupational therapists.

The Institute for Paramedical Training represents the first phase of a wider, transformative project for the region: the creation of a health campus. This campus will bring together, on a single site, a research centre, a business incubator for innovation in healthcare and a simulation centre. The aim is to forge close links between the various health-related sectors, to emphasise interdisciplinary collaboration and to pool resources to foster innovation and excellence.

This initiative strengthens Poitiers’ position as a centre of medical excellence and provides an environment conducive to the development and growth of businesses in the health sector.

The EdTech sector in Greater Poitiers

What is EdTech?

EdTech, or educational technology, refers to the range of digital tools and technologies used to improve teaching and learning. It encompasses a wide range of solutions, from online course platforms and classroom management apps to virtual and augmented reality tools, adaptive learning systems and educational games.

Edutainment: Learning through play

Edutainment, a portmanteau of ‘education’ and ‘entertainment’, is a key concept in EdTech. It aims to make learning more engaging and effective by incorporating playful and interactive elements. This approach to learning helps to capture pupils’ attention, boost their motivation and promote better knowledge retention.

Grand Poitiers: a dynamic and innovative region in EdTech

Grand Poitiers is recognised as a hub of innovation and dynamism in the field of EdTech. The region is home to a thriving ecosystem dedicated to educational technology, supported by robust infrastructure, an active academic community and an environment conducive to the development of start-ups. This local dynamism is reflected in various vibrant events such as hackathons and ‘start-up weekends’, as well as incubators such as the Atelier Canopé. These initiatives demonstrate the community’s commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in the region.

Support for the development of businesses in the EdTech sector

Grand Poitiers, French Tech-certified

Grand Poitiers forms part of French Tech’s Edutainment ecosystem, in partnership with Angoulême, La Rochelle and Niort. This prestigious designation demonstrates the region’s commitment to supporting and promoting innovative businesses in the digital and education sectors.

An active and diverse ecosystem

The EdTech ecosystem in Grand Poitiers is characterised by several initiatives and organisations:

• Establishment of the CNED (National Centre for Distance Learning): The CNED, based in Grand Poitiers, represents a major step forward in the region’s educational provision. By offering a variety of distance learning courses, this institute aims to invest heavily in the education of Poitiers’ residents, thereby providing flexible learning opportunities accessible to all.
• Neoloji: Neoloji supports businesses in their development and creates a network dedicated to innovation for the region and its businesses.
• Futuroscope: Futuroscope, the city’s iconic attraction, is not just a place of entertainment. This technology and leisure park is also a driving force for innovation, promoting educational and interactive experiences that stimulate curiosity and learning.
• Canopé/ESEN: The Canopé/ESEN institutions, based in Grand Poitiers, play a vital role in the development of teaching resources and teacher training. Their mission is to revitalise the education sector by providing tools and programmes tailored to current needs.
•  SPN (Network of Digital and Imaging Professionals): Since 2015, the SPN has been actively involved in promoting the French Tech movement in Grand Poitiers. By providing ongoing support to the region’s technology companies, it helps to strengthen the digital ecosystem and foster innovation.
• Cobalt: A digital co-working space, it plays a central role in the entrepreneurial ecosystem of Grand Poitiers. By fostering collaboration and innovation, it offers co-working spaces and a community conducive to the development of start-ups and the emergence of innovative projects.
• IH2EF (Institute of Higher Studies in Training and Education): Based in Grand Poitiers, the IH2EF contributes to training and education by offering high-calibre programmes in the field of teaching and training. By training a skilled workforce, it contributes to the region’s economic and social development.
• Gamers Assembly: Gamers Assembly, a flagship event for video game enthusiasts, attracts participants from all over the world to Grand Poitiers every year. Beyond entertainment, this event also offers opportunities for discovery and learning in the field of gaming.
• University of Poitiers: The University of Poitiers, a key player in research and innovation, actively collaborates with numerous start-ups in the region. By offering a wide range of courses, it helps to train a skilled and competent workforce, which is essential for the development of the EdTech ecosystem in Grand Poitiers.

Business location solutions in Grand Poitiers

In Grand Poitiers, tailored business location solutions are available to meet the needs of both start-ups and established companies in the EdTech sector. Whether you are looking for functional offices, inspiring co-working spaces or fully-equipped workshops for developing your solutions, the region offers a wide range of options to support your business’s growth and innovation.

EdTech companies based in Poitiers

The Grand Poitiers region is home to around fifty EdTech companies and start-ups in Nouvelle-Aquitaine. These companies collaborate not only as service providers, but also as full partners on various innovative projects.

Grand Poitiers is home to a thriving ecosystem of EdTech companies, which actively contribute to innovation and development within the education sector. Among the companies based in the region are major players such as Pixis, which specialises in data visualisation and artificial intelligence to provide career guidance services relating to the jobs of the future. This company, selected as the sole French representative to take part in the Dubai World Expo, is a testament to the quality and potential of Grand Poitiers’ EdTech companies. Furthermore, other local and national companies have chosen to set up in Poitiers due to its dynamic environment and state-of-the-art infrastructure. These companies, whether they specialise in virtual reality, learning analytics or gamification, benefit from the region’s favourable ecosystem to develop, test and implement their innovations in the field of EdTech.

Greater Poitiers: A Model of Environmental Innovation and Sustainable Development

The Greater Poitiers region is firmly committed to finding innovative environmental solutions.  Through various initiatives, such as research into renewable energy, supporting businesses in their ecological transition and the development of the Greentech and Eco-industry sectors, Greater Poitiers embodies the values of sustainable development, offering an ideal environment for businesses wishing to thrive in this field.

As part of the ecological transition, Greater Poitiers has set up the ‘Stakeholders Committed to the Ecological Transition’ scheme. This initiative aims to facilitate action by local socio-economic stakeholders in support of the ecological transition and to integrate them into a collective effort.

To this end, the region organises networking sessions and social events, fostering the creation of partnerships and the consolidation of its economic fabric. As such, Greater Poitiers offers a network of committed stakeholders, a self-assessment tool developed in collaboration with a panel of volunteers, as well as access to resources, advice and personalised support to assist and guide local businesses.

Thanks to its many innovative and inspiring initiatives, Greater Poitiers is establishing itself as an exemplary model of ecological transition.

The Greater Poitiers Eco-Ecosystem: A Catalyst for Innovation and Ecological Transition

The Greater Poitiers area is strongly committed to sustainable development and is home, in particular, to a regional eco-industries cluster: the Poitou-Charentes Eco-Industries Cluster. This cluster serves as the regional resource centre for the circular economy and supports the region in implementing its environmental strategy. It helps to boost businesses’ competitiveness by improving their environmental performance, notably through waste reduction, lower energy consumption and the replacement of fossil fuels and materials with renewable alternatives.

To support businesses in these ecological changes, numerous Greentech companies based in the region have demonstrated and shared their expertise with other economic stakeholders in the sector.

• Greenfib: Development and sale of Greenfib, a new 100% bio-based material, produced locally in France, intended for industrial use.
• Deewex: Specialises in the manufacture and marketing of systems dedicated to renewable energy (DC-DC or AC-DC power converters, power supplies, energy distribution devices, safety control devices).
• Rise: Offers a software tool for on-demand aircraft operators (business aviation), enabling them to digitise and optimise their operations to reduce empty flights and their environmental impact.
• Vertsun: Innovates by creating new products and services in the field of photovoltaics.
• Wilosolution: Develops and promotes innovative technological solutions for monitoring and data collection relating to biodiversity and the environment.
• Technique Solaire: Generates renewable energy by deploying solar photovoltaic and anaerobic digestion infrastructure. The group recently raised €200 million to accelerate its growth in France and internationally.

Thanks to this dynamic and innovative ecosystem, the Greater Poitiers region is positioning itself as a model for ecological transition, offering an environment conducive to the growth of businesses in the eco-industries and Greentech sectors.