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Photon2Startup Days 2026

Are you a doctoral student, a postdoctoral researcher, a recent graduate or a final-year student in photonics⁽¹⁾ (French ⁽²⁾ or foreign) ?

Reveal your inner entrepreneur!

Come and take part in this unique three-day English-speaking event, to present your thesis or research work, discover the latest advances in photonics research, and take part in a workshop (over eight hours⁽²⁾) that will help you unlock your entrepreneurial potential! Also on the programme: conferences, one-to-one meetings with business leaders, networking, and visits to local companies and laboratories. All in a friendly atmosphere overlooking the sea (Brittany).

Don’t miss this FREE⁽³⁾event coorganised by Photonics Bretagne, Anticipa, ENSSAT and Institut Foton!

Register now ! (limited number of places)

⁽¹⁾If you classify your research more as quantum physics or material physics… but photons, or photon-matter interactions, are part of your work, then this event is also for you!
⁽²⁾Can count towards your Doctoral School training.
⁽³⁾Free of charge (accommodation, meals, local transfers included). A travel grant of up to 250€ is also available, subject to certain conditions (see the ‘Free accommodation’ tab).

Meetings

26-28 October 2026

Coming soon

Lannion (22)

You are a PhD student or a postdoctral researcher in photonics (French or foreign):

Join this unique 3-day, English-speaking event! Come and pitch your PhD or research work, then unlock your entrepreneurial potential with a case study.

Take part in our Startup Workshop (8 hours over 2 days), which can count towards your Doctoral School training (France).
Present your PhD or research work in 3 minutes.
Discover funding opportunities and support for startups.
Develop your network: meet CEOs and other PhD students.
Visit photonics companies and research labs.

You are a recent graduate or a final-year student in photonics (French):

This 3-day, English-speaking event is also for you! Come and reveal your inner entrepreneur.

Take part in our Startup Workshop.
Attend the PhD pitches.
Discover funding opportunities and support for startups.
Develop your network: meet CEOs and other students.
Visit photonics companies and research labs.

Monday 26th October

9h00-9h15	Welcome & Coffee
9h15-9h20	Presentation of the event / programme
9h20-9h30	Introduction of the local photonics ecosystem \| Photonics Bretagne
9h30-9h40	Presentation of the support from the Technopole \| Anticipa
9h40-10h40	PhD and research work pitches
10h40-11h10	CEO success story
11h10-12h10	Visit of Foton Institute
12h10-13h30	Luncheon cocktail and networking
13h30-13h50	Transfer to the “Centre du Baly”
14h00-18h30	Startup workshop (1/2)
19h00	Dinner in the restaurant / refectory (Centre du Baly)
After Dinner	Free evening – workshop room available to continue working on your startup project.

Tuesday 27th October

9h00-12h35	Visits of local companies and research facilities
12h35-14h30	“Galettes Party” (Lunch) and free time – Enjoy the nearby beach
14h30-18h30	Startup workshop (2/2)
19h00	Dinner in the restaurant / refectory (Centre du Baly)
After Dinner	Free evening – Wrap-up your startup project and prepare your pitch.

Wednesday 28th October

9h00-11h00	One-to-One meetups with CEOs
11h00-12h00	Startup project pitches
12h00-12h15	Conclusion / Jury deliberation
12h15-12h45	Project feedback and best startup award
12h45-14h30	Luncheon cocktail and networking

Your challenge: Work in small groups and create a fictitious start-up in 8 hours over 2 days, in a friendly environment and idyllic surroundings facing the sea.

The workshop will be partially supervised to give you the key elements. You will also have two free evenings to work with your group at your own pace, should you wish to do so. On the last day, you will pitch your startup project to a jury. The best start-up project will be rewarded!

In France, this workshop time can count towards your Doctoral School training.

Photonics Bretagne & partners are happy to provide all the logistics free of charge from October 26th to 28th:

Accommodation for up to 3 nights (October 25th, 26th, 27th) (2 people per room),
All meals from the morning of 26 October to midday on 28 October,
All transfers on site

You will be staying in the workshop venue: the Centre du Baly is located in the “Ile Grande”, near Lannion (Brittany / France), facing the sea and with a direct access to the beach. Free time is planned, so that you can fully enjoy the place and the idyllic environment.

A travel grant of up to €250 in total is also available, subject to certain conditions.
Reimbursement of actual expenses will be made within 30 days of the event, upon presentation of supporting documentation (invoice), and subject to participation in the entire programme. Travel must be in economy class, whether by plane or train. If travelling by car, car-sharing is preferred, and the reimbursement of mileage expenses will be calculated according to the vehicle’s tax bracket.

Brittany has established itself as a global centre for innovation in photonics thanks to its innovative SMEs and the excellence of its research centres and higher education institutions.

Like the American Science Parks, Brittany has its own Photonics Park in Lannion. It comprises a corporate centre, a technology platform and a start-up incubator, and covers the entire photonics ecosystem in Lannion. The local photonics sector employs more than 1,000 people in around 30 SMEs and institutions. It also benefits from many cutting-edge facilities allowing for great innovation capabilities.

The Photonics PhD Days offer a unique opportunity to visit a selection of local companies and research centres with a photonics expertise.

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Agenda