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Introduction
Innovation is invoked everywhere today: as the driving force behind global competition in science, industry, and the economy, it is closely linked to issues of growth and employment, and is often seen as a measure of a society’s dynamism and ability to look toward the future. As such, it permeates both public policy and corporate strategy.
Paradoxically, this ubiquitous call for innovation often obscures the reality of the concrete processes it encompasses: the modesty and perseverance of the early stages—often found in basic research—the patient transformation of an idea into a proof of concept, the critical moment when one must win the trust of investors and successfully achieve industrial transfer, and the sudden acceleration triggered by successful commercialization.
To mark the twentieth anniversary of the Technological Innovation Liliane Bettencourt Annual Chair —established to address the challenges of innovation in scientific research—the Collège de France Foundation and the Bettencourt Schueller Foundation are organizing a major symposium on October 8, 2026, on the theme “Why and How Should We Innovate Today? ”
Bringing together researchers, startup leaders, and executives from major corporations—all of whom are familiar with the innovation ecosystem—the symposium will focus on drawing lessons from a series of remarkable journeys in order to assess the current state of technological innovation and research today. Drawing on the experiences of researchers and entrepreneurs, the event will reflect on concrete success stories, analyze enabling factors and obstacles, and demonstrate how innovation unfolds in practice—from the laboratory to the company and the market.
Scientific Committee: Jean Dalibard (chair), Lydéric Bocquet, Marc Fontecave, and Hugues de Thé.
Moderated by Mathieu Vidard.
With support from the Bettencourt Schueller Foundation.
Program
- 2:00 p.m.: Opening remarks by Thomas Römer, Chairman of the Collège de France, and Sylvie Corréard, executive director of the Bettencourt Schueller Foundation
- 2:10 p.m.: Introduction by Pierre Corvol, former Chairman of the Collège de France
- 2:25 p.m.: Testimonials from the holders of the Technological Innovation Liliane Bettencourt Chair
- 2:20 p.m.: José-Alain Sahel, 2015–2016 Chairholder
- 2:45 p.m.: Pascale Senellart, 2025–2026 Chairholder
- 3:10 p.m.: Lydéric Bocquet, 2022–2023 Chairholder
- 4:00 p.m.: Remarks by Florent Menegaux, Chairman of the Michelin Group
- 4:35 p.m.: Roundtable discussion: “Why and How to Innovate?” Featuring Yves Bréchet, Florence Lambert, Jean-François Nogrette, and Mickael Tanter
- 5:45 p.m.: Closing remarks by Philippe Aghion, Nobel laureate in economics and professor at the Collège de France
Speakers
Philippe Aghion, Lydéric Bocquet, Yves Bréchet, Pierre Corvol, Florence Lambert, Florent Menegaux, Jean-François Nogrette, José-Alain Sahel, Pascale Senellart, and Mickael Tanter.