The University of Reunion, through its University Innovation Hub (PUI) Valiotech and its Student Entrepreneurship Service of Reunion (S2ER) labeled Pépite Réunion, joins the national STARTHESE program supported by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Space.

A local version of the Pépite PhD scheme, this affiliation allows the territory to launch STARTHESE RÉUNION: a challenge dedicated to doctoral students and young doctors (who have defended their thesis for less than five years) wishing to promote their research work by imagining innovative solutions responding to social, environmental, economic or cultural issues.

Training young researchers in entrepreneurship

As part of the challenge, participants will benefit from an entrepreneurship training program organized by PUI Valiotech. The objective: to enable them to transform their scientific skills into projects with high commercialization potential.

Doctoral students and young researchers will be supported in:

• develop an entrepreneurial mindset;
• identify innovation opportunities from their research work;
• to become familiar with the fundamentals of project creation (business model, intellectual property, financing);
• to strengthen their communication and pitching skills.

A regional final on September 3, 2026

At the end of the program, ten projects will be selected to participate in a public final evening organized on September 3, 2026 at the University of Reunion Island.

Candidates will present their project to a jury composed of stakeholders from the socio-economic world, innovation, entrepreneurship and research.
Three projects will be awarded prizes, while the public will also award a People's Choice Award.

One of the winners will represent Reunion Island during the national selection for the STARTHESE program.

A rapidly growing national program

Launched in 2023, the Starthèse Challenge has seen strong growth: 31 territorial initiatives are affiliated in 2026, compared to 8 at its creation.

Since 2024, it has already mobilized:

• 785 young researchers participated, 40% of whom were women;
• 439 projects stemming from the latest scientific advances;
• 44 national award winners.

The projects presented cover many areas – health, digital, ecological transition, space or cultural industries – and more than 70% focus on disruptive technological, process or service innovations.

With STARTHESE RÉUNION, doctoral students and young researchers in the region now have a new opportunity to enhance their skills, develop innovative projects and contribute to the development of the region.