Da Vinci Labs launches deep tech studio for environmental startups

By AI, Created 2:36 PM UTC, June 04, 2026, /AGP/ – Da Vinci Labs has launched Da Vinci Launchpad, a venture studio in Tours, France, to help turn environmental-impact deep tech research into startups. The program begins with a June 2026 bootcamp and could lead to a six-month incubation track starting in February 2027.

Why it matters: - Da Vinci Launchpad is designed to move scientific research closer to startup creation in the Centre-Val de Loire region. - The program targets deep tech ventures focused on the environmental transition, where founders can turn lab work into companies with real-world impact. - The initiative is backed by France 2030 and regional innovation partners, which gives the effort institutional support and access to the local ecosystem.

What happened: - Da Vinci Labs announced the official launch of Da Vinci Launchpad in Tours, France, on June 4, 2026. - The new studio supports deep tech startups committed to environmental transition. - The program will support projects in quantum technologies, artificial intelligence and synthetic biology. - The launchpad is supported by the regional France 2030 plan, backed by the Centre-Val de Loire Region and the French State, and coordinated by Bpifrance. - The program will work with regional innovation stakeholders, including C-VaLo and Pépite Centre-Val de Loire, within the Loire Valley Innov’ Innovation Hub framework.

The details: - Da Vinci Launchpad aims to identify entrepreneurial talent inside research laboratories. - The program also seeks to increase private and public investment in emerging startups. - Da Vinci Labs wants to strengthen the regional deep tech ecosystem and raise the region’s visibility at the European level. - The pathway includes Da Vinci Bootcamp, a four-day deep tech entrepreneurship training course from June 29 to July 2, 2026. - Da Vinci Hacklab will run from October 2 to 4, 2026, to help teams turn concepts into prototypes. - Da Vinci Challenge will serve as the business plan competition stage of the pathway. - The strongest projects from the pathway will be selected for a six-month incubation program starting in February 2027. - Selected projects will be eligible for pre-seed funding. - Participants will be asked to propose solutions in six areas: biodiversity preservation, greenhouse gas reduction, resilient food systems, energy production and storage, ecological and regenerative construction, and sustainable alternatives to plastics.

Between the lines: - Regional leaders see the program as a response to a common problem in research ecosystems: strong science output that does not always become startups. - Stéphane Cordier said only a small share of research outputs currently lead to high-impact companies. - Anne Besnier said Da Vinci Labs is trying to bridge that gap by supporting deep tech startups with positive environmental impact. - The program is pitched as open to entrepreneurs from all backgrounds, with an emphasis on responsible transformation rather than technology for its own sake. - Nadège Grabowski said the approach balances innovation and sobriety, scientific progress and responsible uses, and collective intelligence.

What’s next: - Da Vinci Bootcamp takes place June 29 to July 2, 2026. - Da Vinci Hacklab follows on October 2 to 4, 2026. - The six-month incubation program starts in February 2027 for the most promising teams. - More information is available in the France 2030 overview.

The bottom line: - Da Vinci Labs is building a structured pipeline from research to startup for climate and sustainability-focused deep tech, with public funding and regional partners helping de-risk the path to commercialization.