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 push 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 symposium on October 8, 2026, on the theme “Why and How to Innovate Today?” Bringing together researchers, startup leaders, and executives from major corporations—all familiar with the innovation ecosystem—the symposium will draw lessons from a series of remarkable journeys to assess the current state of technological innovation and research today. Drawing on the experience 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.
Program
- 2:00 PM: Opening remarks by Thomas Römer, Chairman of the Collège de France, and Sylvie Corréard, executive director of the Bettencourt Schueller Foundation,
- 2:10 PM: Introduction by Pierre Corvol, former Chairman of the Collège de France
- 2:20 PM: Testimonials from the holders of the Technological Innovation Liliane Bettencourt Chair
- 2:20 PM: Presentation 1 – José-Alain Sahel
- 2:45 PM: Presentation 2 – Pascale Senellart
- 3:10 PM: Presentation 3 – Lydéric Bocquet
- 3:55 PM: Remarks by Florent Menegaux.
- 4:35 PM: Roundtable discussion “Why and How to Innovate?” With Yves Bréchet, Florence Lambert, Jean-François Nogrette, and Mickael Tanter.
- 5:45 PM: Closing remarks by Philippe Aghion.
Speakers
Philippe Aghion
Economist, 2025 Nobel Prize in Economics laureate, professor at the Collège de France, holder of the Chair in the Economics of Institutions, Innovation and Growth.
Lydéric Bocquet
Lydéric Bocquet, research director at the CNRS and associate professor at the ENS, leads the Micromégas team, dedicated to molecular fluid mechanics. His work has revealed numerous unique properties: frictionless flows, quantum effects, and even neuromorphic phenomena. Four startups have emerged from fundamental research in nanofluidics, focusing on osmotic energy, additive manufacturing, alcohol removal, and desalination. He served as a visiting professor in the Technological Innovation Liliane Bettencourt Chair at the Collège de France in 2022–2023.
Yves Bréchet
Yves Bréchet, born in 1961, is a materials science specialist and a member of the French Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering. He has served as a professor at the University of Grenoble and as a scientific advisor to EDF, ONERA, Constellium, and Arcelor. He served as High Commissioner for Atomic Energy (2012–2018), then as Chief Scientific Officer at Saint-Gobain (2018–2025). He held the Technological Innovation Liliane Bettencourt Chair at the Collège de France in 2018. He is currently a research professor at Monash University. He was a visiting professor at the Technological Innovation Liliane Bettencourt Chair at the Collège de France in 2012–2013.
Pierre Corvol
Physician and researcher, honorary Chairman of the Collège de France (2006–2012), professor emeritus at the Collège de France, holder of the Chair of Experimental Medicine at the Collège de France (1989–2012).
Florence Lambert
Florence Lambert began her career at the CEA, where she held various management positions. From 2012 to 2020, she served as director of CEA-LITEN (Laboratory for Innovation in New Energy Technologies and Nanomaterials). Since 2021, she has been president of Genvia, a company focused on the development and industrial deployment of technologies for the production of carbon-free hydrogen.
Florent Menegaux
After studying finance and management, Florent Menegaux began his career at Price Waterhouse before joining Michelin in 1997. There, he held positions in sales management, regional management, and product line management in Europe, the Americas, and Africa-Middle East, followed by executive roles within the group. He has been Chairman of the Group since 2019.
Jean-François Nogrette
Jean-François Nogrette, an agronomist and microbiologist. Since 2022, he has been CEO of Veolia France and a member of the group’s executive committee.
José-Alain Sahel
Professor Emeritus at Sorbonne University, Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology, and Chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Pittsburgh. He founded the Institut de la Vision and IHU FOReSIGHT. A member of the French Academy of Sciences and the Leopoldina, he received the Wolf Prize in Medicine. His research has led to several first-in-human trials in gene therapy, optogenetics, and prosthetic vision. He was a visiting professor at the Technological Innovation Liliane Bettencourt Chair at the Collège de France in 2015–2016.
Pascale Senellart
Physicist, research director at the CNRS, co-founder of the startup Quandela, visiting professor at the Technological Innovation Liliane Bettencourt Chair at the Collège de France in 2025–2026.
Mickael Tanter
Mickael Tanter, a member of the French Academy of Sciences and a research director at Inserm, is a physicist specializing in medical imaging. His research focuses on the use of ultrasound waves for the development of imaging techniques and non-invasive treatments for various conditions in the fields of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and neuroscience.