An agreement for student entrepreneurship and innovation
On July 31, the University of Côte d’Azur and the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolitan Area jointly signed an agreement to reinforce student entrepreneurship. This project primarily aims to host the initiatives of student entrepreneurs within the innovation hub.
In line with the multi-year plan “Esprit d’Entreprendre”, the Ministry of Higher Education and Research has reaffirmed the paramount importance of student entrepreneurship at the national level. The “Pépite Paca-Est” program, initiated by the Entrepreneurship Center of the University of Côte d’Azur, fully aligns with this dynamic.
The Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis has always been committed to fostering the creation of innovative companies. It is with this in mind that the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis intends to strengthen its commitment to the student entrepreneurs of Pépite Paca-Est by offering them a dedicated space within the innovation hub.
Strengthening an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
The goal of this collaboration is to build a dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem conducive to innovation on the Côte d’Azur. The agreement envisions, among other things, an enhanced interconnection of student projects with an expert network, the organization of events focused on entrepreneurship, and the provision of collaborative workspaces within the Innovation Hub of the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis.
Rani DANG, Vice-President in charge of Student Entrepreneurship at University of Côte d’Azur, and Xavier LATOUR, Vice-President of the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis responsible for education, higher education, and research, and Municipal Councilor of Nice, both expressed their enthusiasm for this collaboration, emphasizing the importance of supporting young entrepreneurs to ensure a prosperous economic future for the region:
“With this partnership, we not only want to send a strong message to the young talents of the region: entrepreneurship is encouraged, supported, and recognized as a major pillar of economic and social development. But also to highlight the crucial role that academic institutions play in training and nurturing budding entrepreneurs. This issue is strategic for universities, where the entrepreneurial spirit and the acquisition of associated transversal skills become fundamental for a highly valued professional orientation.” Rani Dang, Vice-President in charge of Student Entrepreneurship at University of Côte d’Azur.
Labeled ‘Capitale French Tech’,Nice Côte d’Azur is widely recognized as an attractive and innovative territory where businesses, training institutions, and research laboratories coexist. Our Innovation Hub, located at the heart of the urban technopole Nice Méridia, welcomes startups, competitiveness clusters, several digital schools, and numerous institutional partners. Its objective is to support the growth of our young companies, create new business opportunities, and facilitate cooperation among ecosystem members. I am delighted with the agreement we are signing with University of Côte d’Azur, which specifically offers student entrepreneurs from the PEPITE program hosting facilities within the Innovation Hub and provides them with tools and support services. Young entrepreneurs involved in this program will be able to integrate the startup ecosystem more quickly, thereby maximizing the success rate of their projects.” Xavier Latour, Vice-President of the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis, responsible for education, higher education, and research, and Municipal Councilor of Nice.
Higher education & Innovation – Nice Côte d’Azur France
- Wildfires: EDHEC Climate Institute and Nice-based Climate Innov launch two AI- and satellite data-powered tools
- Nice Côte d’Azur Airport prepares for the arrival of electric air taxis with Joby Aviation, Blade, Heli Sécurité and Monacair
- The EDHEC Quantum Institute anticipates the next industrial revolution
- Team Nice Côte d’Azur at VivaTech 2026: bringing Nice Côte d’Azur to the heart of innovation markets
- Obesity: French first at Nice University Hospital
- Launch of the AZUR Territorial Research Entity to advance clinical research on the French Riviera
- Artificial intelligence: Team Nice Côte d’Azur mobilized for an AI Business Tour and WAICF 2026
- Nice, 5th largest city in France by population
- Nice University Hospital (CHU): a living laboratory of hospital transformation
- Université Côte d’Azur: 60 years of territorial anchoring and innovation
