When Student Innovation Supports the Circular Economy

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On February 6 and 7, 2025, 112 students divided into 20 teams competed in the seventh edition of the Hashtag Startup Challenge. Once again this year, the challenge, led by the team at Open Incubator SquareLab, highlighted innovative solutions promoting the transition to a more sustainable and circular economy.

A Challenge in Partnership with the Puy-de-Dôme Departmental Council

Guided by experts and entrepreneurs, students from the Grande École Program enrolled in the “Innovation & Entrepreneurship” minor spent two days working on projects aligned with the regenerative economy, exploring four strategic areas:

Transforming everyday waste: Designing solutions to repurpose plastics, textiles, or bio-waste.
Functionality-based economy: Developing models that prioritize usage over ownership.
Pooling local resources: Encouraging collaboration between businesses, local governments, and associations.
Reducing sorting errors in waste management: Creating educational, technological, or incentive-based solutions for more effective recycling.

Ambitious Projects Rewarded

After compelling pitches, the jury—composed of Lionel Faucher from French Tech, Victoria Philippoff (Material Reuse and CEE Management Officer at the Puy-de-Dôme Departmental Council), Laura Dureuil (Head of Zero Waste and Circular Economy at SBA 63), and Géraldine Minguet (Director of Business & Economic Development at Clermont School of Business)—selected the most innovative projects.

🏆 1st Prize: Meuble’Age – A recycled furniture rental solution for students, offering an affordable and eco-friendly alternative to buying new furniture.

🥈 2nd Prize: Clemenza – A durable and ethical innovative leather made from household organic waste, addressing the environmental challenges of the textile industry.

🥉 3rd Prize: Circulab – A space-sharing platform for startups, small businesses, and SMEs, promoting the pooling of workspaces.

🌟 Special Award: A waste-sorting application combining education and technology to optimize household waste management.

A Hands-on Learning Experience for Sustainable Innovation

The Hashtag Startup Challenge immerses students in a dynamic of collective innovation, confronting them with real-world challenges and encouraging them to develop solutions as a team. This immersive format allows them to experience entrepreneurship, sharpen their teamwork skills, and structure impactful projects.

Aligned with Clermont School of Business’s values in Sustainable Development & Social Responsibility (DD&RS), this 2025 edition once again illustrates the School’s commitment to fostering more responsible models. More than just a challenge, this event is a unique opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience while contributing to meaningful innovations!

Learn More About the Open Incubator SquareLab

Unlike incubators in many business schools, which are often reserved for students or alumni, Clermont School of Business’s incubator is an Open Incubator. This means it is open to anyone wishing to develop an innovative project—whether a student, employee, or job seeker.

The Open Incubator SquareLab has developed its own incubation method, co-created by researchers, successful entrepreneurs, and startup managers. It provides access to a vast network of experts and offers an immediate hands-on approach through an innovative, interactive, and tailored program.

During the six-month incubation period, project leaders benefit from:

Three days of training per month
Three hours of mentoring per month
Three hands-on workshops per month

Additionally, incubation at Open Incubator SquareLab includes individual coaching combined with a certified training program: the Startup Culture Certificate.