Start a business while studying
Are you a student looking to start your own business? The University of Strasbourg can support you every step of the way, from developing your idea and launching your business to obtaining student-entrepreneur status, accessing training and finding funding.
Discover the benefits of student-entrepreneur status
Created by the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research, the National Student-Entrepreneur Status (Statut national étudiant-entrepreneur – SNEE) allows you to:
- Receive support from Pépite Etena, the Alsace Student Centre for Innovation, Technology Transfer and Entrepreneurship (Pôle étudiant pour l'innovation, le transfert et l'entrepreneuriat)
- Request adjustments to your study and examination arrangements under the Flexible Study Scheme (Régime spécial d'études – RSE)
- Obtain the University Diploma for Student Entrepreneurs (Diplôme d'université étudiant-entrepreneur – D2E), which is also available to young graduates who want to learn about entrepreneurship after their studies
- Use facilities to work on and develop your projects
Discover the University of Strasbourg's coworking spaces and FabLabs on the Pépite Etena website
Start a business during your PhD
Looking to turn your research into a business or launch a venture alongside your PhD? Explore competitions, support and training designed to help you combine your PhD with entrepreneurship.
Turn your research into a business
The Alsace University Innovation Hub (Pôle universitaire d'innovation Alsace – PUIA) is the main point of contact for PhD students who want to turn their research into a business or start-up.
Contact the Alsace University Innovation Hub by email at pui-alsace@unistra.fr
Understand the potential of your research
The Alsace University Innovation Hub helps PhD students explore and understand the potential of their research. Through monthly information webinars and residential seminars, as well as training modules offered through the Interdisciplinary Thematic Institutes, you can discover the world of innovation, business development and start-up creation.
Go to the "Alsace University Innovation Hub" web page
Find the dates of upcoming training courses on the PUIA LinkedIn page
Discuss your project’s business potential
PhD students can to talk to business development managers about the business potential of their research. These business development managers can direct PhD students towards the support and contacts best suited to their projects.
Take part in the "Mature your PhD" challenge
Run by the technology transfer organisation (Société d'accélération du transfert de technologies – SATT) Connectus, in partnership with universities and research institutions across Alsace, the "Mature your PhD" challenge introduces future PhD graduates to the world of business and entrepreneurship. It helps PhD researchers use their thesis findings to launch a start-up or present their discoveries to companies.
Open to second and third-year PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, the challenge focuses on developing entrepreneurial skills, protecting intellectual property, securing funding and building a strong professional network.
Winners receive a cash prize, one-to-one support, expert advice, access to technical and scientific resources, mentoring opportunities, as well as networking opportunities with entrepreneurs, investors and industry experts.
Learn more about the "Mature your PhD" challenge
Learn about deeptech entrepreneurship
The "Deeptech Entrepreneurship" training course is designed to equip deeptech founders and project leaders with the knowledge and skills they need to navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship. Academics and deeptech experts share their practical insights and expertise to help participants succeed in the sector.
Learn more about the "Deeptech Entrepreneurship" training course
Discover the support available to PhD entrepreneurs
PhD students at the University of Strasbourg can also benefit from the National Student-Entrepreneur Status (Statut national étudiant-entrepreneur – SNEE). This status allows you to run a business project alongside your PhD and gives you access to a number of support schemes.
The SNEE enables PhD students to receive support from Pépite Etena, the Alsace Student Centre for Innovation, Technology Transfer and Entrepreneurship (Pôle étudiant pour l'innovation, le transfert et l'entrepreneuriat).
Entrepreneurship in research
Explore the entrepreneurial potential of your research
The Alsace University Innovation Hub helps researchers turn their research into business opportunities. If you’re considering starting a business but aren’t sure where to begin, the team will guide you towards the right contacts and support for your project.
Contact the PUIA by email at pui-alsace@unistra.fr
Useful resources
Help and support
- For students: Pépite Etena
- For PhD students and researchers: Alsace University Innovation Hub