TotalEnergies praises innovation with environmental impact in Béarn

• TotalEnergies is one of the longstanding founder members of the RETIS-certified Hélioparc Technology Hub in Pau. RETIS is the French network of innovation experts.
• Hélioparc opened the Greenov incubator in 2023 to promote new innovative activities in favor of a sustainable ecological and energy transition.
• The 2025 call for projects trained the spotlight on three new companies that combine innovation and ecology: HI 5, AC Dismantling and éleXtra.
   

Greenove by Hélioparc supports project promoters and fledgling companies (under 4 years old) in the sectors of eco-innovation, ecodesign, the circular economy, energy and new and renewable resources - all topics that resonate with TotalEnergies’ ambition. Applying to Greenov means the possibility of enjoying all the advantages of an incubator and the customized support it offers for a year, with backing from involved partners such as TotalEnergies - a major, long-standing player in the region - and the Pau Béarn Pyrénées conurbation. Interview with Olivier Farreng, Managing Director of Hélioparc

The call for projects Greenov by Hélioparc was created three years ago - how have you seen it develop since then?

To start with the Greenov incubator is now well-established in the local and regional innovation landscape, and has gained notable renown and credibility among local  economic stakeholders and institutions.  In terms of technology, we can see that the projects are more sophisticated every year. Three years ago, they focused more on routine innovation and today, the projects are closely linked to sciences and "Tech". Finally, many of these startups are spearheaded by women who are perhaps more sensitive than men to the issues of transition and climate change challenges.
 

How are successful candidates supported in the incubator, and what is the added advantage?

There are two aspects to support. One is dedicated to business, whereby the manager and the support team from Hélioparc will work on the economic model, the corporate structure, financing, etc. The other is devoted to technology and the innovation process. Being part of the Greenov incubator has a dual advantage: access to infrastructures for effective development and rapid access to the market, and it brings managers out of their isolation and into the heart of the GreenTech community.
 

Why is support from local structures like TotalEnergies important to this operation?

Support from major clients is invaluable, particularly that from TotalEnergies, who has been supporting the initiative right from day one. Indisputably, this kind of support lends credibility to the entire structure, showcases the young innovative companies who are part of the incubator and fosters the immersion of the startup in its ecosystem. As a partner, TotalEnergies is also part of the jury that selects the winning projects. It’s a true opportunity for start-ups in terms of legitimacy and renown.

Once again, the 2025 edition highlighted the audacity and creativity of the startups and companies involved in the ecological transition. As part of its multi-energy strategy, TotalEnergies actively supports local innovation ecosystems and gives its wholehearted congratulations to the new winners who presented projects with a high environmental impact:

• AC Dismantling: This company, which finds its origins in the Gironde and Charentes regions, proposes an innovative solution for dismantling aircraft (in particular private jet planes) with the aim of upcycling spare parts. It plans to set up premises at Pau airport to develop a local circular economy branch in the aerospace industry.
• Elextra: Based in Pau, this startup has invented an individual charge point for electric vehicles, designed for domestic use and co-ownership properties. Its approach is based on eco-design, easy installation and accessibility, thereby contributing to electric mobility.
• Hi5: Located in Bayonne, this startup uses fish scales from the agrofood industry and extracts collagen from them. This biomaterial is then used in cosmetics, health and agrofood, to promote a circular bioeconomy.