Four gems from Aix-Marseille-Provence are participating this year in the CES (Consumer Electronic Show) in Las Vegas, the world’s largest show for technological innovations, and two have won awards, reinforcing the metropolis’s global leadership in this area.
Aix-Marseille-Provence has been a land of innovation recognized for years, notably rich in 800 start-ups, 60% of which come from incubators. The metropolis is thus the most “awarded” territory at the CES in Las Vegas, the largest trade show in the world dedicated to technological innovation in consumer electronics, with 43 awards obtained since 2016. A number will further increase during the next edition , which takes place from January 7 to 10, 2025.
Indeed, if the regional delegation is made up of “only” 14 start-ups, including four from Aix-Marseille-Provence, two metropolitan gems will obtain prestigious CES Innovation Awards.
Overview of the city’s start-ups ready to light up and shine at CES in Las Vegas!
Be Energy
This Aix-based start-up, supported by the Arbois technology park, specializes in the reconditioning of lithium-ion batteries, offering solutions that promote sustainable mobility while reducing CO2 emissions.
Born from the desire to develop regeneration technologies in order to promote the reuse rather than the recycling of industrial waste, Be Energy has been involved, for 10 years now, in processes aimed at doubling the lifespan of batteries, oils and motors. ; massively reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and increase territorial resilience in safeguarding critical materials.
Ten years after its creation, Be Energy presents itself as the world technological leader in the field of battery, oil and engine regeneration.
BiomiTech
A pioneer in decarbonization technologies, BiomiTech was founded in Aix-en-Provence to create a research and development center in the field of air treatment using microalgae. Its innovations are based on the creation of intelligent carbon sinks, using bioreactors based on microalgae, capable of purifying particles present in the air.
The technology developed, called “BioUrban”, exploits the power of microalgae and photosynthesis to convert various pollutants such as carbon dioxide into oxygen. It is now possible to effectively reduce urban and industrial emissions.
BiomiTech is a CES 2025 winner in the “Sustainability and Energy” category for its high-impact biofilter, an award that highlights the start-up’s efforts to develop technologies that combine environmental efficiency and societal impact.
Optipus PV
Founded at the end of 2023 in Marseille, this spin-off*, resulting from two CNRS laboratories, is innovating in photovoltaics. Optipus PV develops organic cells in the form of adhesive and flexible films, called “Energy Skin”. Lighter and more robust than traditional heavy and rigid silicon photovoltaic cells, they feature better efficiency and various design options.
Energy Skin cells integrate much better to power a wide range of electronic devices: headphones, tablets, speakers, hearing aids, IoT (Internet of Things) devices, etc.
The start-up, attached to the Luminy technology park, hopes to shine thanks to this technology at CES 2025.
Unistellar
After having revolutionized telescopes, with intelligent and consumer models, Unistellar now intends to transform the binocular sector with ENVISION, a unique concept of its kind designed in collaboration with the Nikon group.
This innovation allows users to read their surroundings like a seasoned guide and the night sky like a professional astronomer. Its patent-pending precision augmented reality orientation system and intelligent overlays enrich your view with dynamic, real-time information.
After obtaining two awards (2018 and 2022), Unistellar will receive a third at CES 2025 for its first augmented reality binoculars.
* A spin-off is a company created from a public research structure
