About the conference

INNOVA — Innovative Approaches to Ageing and Well-being — is an international conference held on the French Riviera, dedicated to promoting academic research and innovation in the fields of ageing and healthy living. The event is organized under the auspices of the Innovation Hub “Ageing & Well-being”, recently granted the status of 2IP (Institute for Partnership and Innovation) in the same thematic area.

In its second edition, INNOVA 2026 aims to foster interdisciplinary dialogue by exploring ageing and well-being from multiple perspectives — including social, economic, biomedical, psychological, and public health dimensions. Bringing together researchers, PhD candidates, and startups from the 2IP ALIVE programme, the conference creates a dynamic platform to share knowledge, highlight emerging talent, and build collaborative opportunities within the Ulysseus ecosystem. Startups affiliated with the 2IP ALIVE programme will actively participate through pitches and networking sessions, showcasing innovation in ageing and well-being.

Themes

1- Ageing Brain in the Neuroscience 3.0 Era

Chairs: Paula Pousinha (Université Côte d’Azur) & Rafael Chacon (University of Seville)

Scope: This symposium will explore how emerging paradigms in neuroscience (“Neuroscience 3.0”) are reshaping our understanding of brain aging. It will integrate multi-scale approaches—from molecular mechanisms to cognitive systems—and highlight technological advances (AI, neuroimaging, data integration).

2- Public Health: Taking Complexity into the Equation

Chairs: Anne Vuillemin (Université Côte d’Azur) & Emilio Di Maria (University of Genoa)

Scope: This session will address aging from a public health perspective, emphasizing complexity, systems thinking, and multi-level determinants of health.

3- Economic, Social Transformation, and the Demographic Transition

Chairs: Samira Karrach (Université Côte d’Azur) & Ayman Fouda (MCI | The Entrepreneurial School®)

Scope: This symposium will focus on the economic implications of demographic aging and the transformations required in labor markets, innovation ecosystems, and policy frameworks.

4-Digital Interfaces: Solution or Risk?

Chairs: Lili Aunimo (Haaga Helia University of Applied Sciences) & Stevo POPOVIC (University of Montenegro)

Scope: This session will critically examine the role of digital technologies and interfaces in societies, balancing opportunities for inclusion and risks related to trustworthiness.

Key Objectives

Promoting academic research and cutting-edge innovation from Ulysseus
Crossing the approach of ageing and well-being in all its dimensions (social, economical, biomedical, psychological, public health…)
Enlightening our PhDs, youngs researchers (pair of researchers and PhDs)
Creating bridges between academic and socio-economic world
Developing attractive opportunities of collaboration for our Ulysseus ecosystem

Who can apply

PHD student, post-docs, startups, academic researchers, professors.

Some applications may have funding available. To maximize the chances of receiving funding, it is recommended to apply as soon as possible.

Agenda

Day 1 - Wednesday, November 25th

Morning

09:00-09:30 Registration & Welcome coffee
09:30-10:00 Welcome words
10:00-10:30 Keynote Address
10:30-11:00 Oral presentations
Speaker 1 – Slot open for submission
Speaker 2 – Slot open for submission

11:00-11:30 Coffee break & Poster session

11:30-12:00 Startup pitches
2IP ALIVE Start-up 1
2IP ALIVE Start-up 2
12:00-12:30 Panel discussion
12:30-12:40 Official group picture (all participants)

12:40-14:00 Lunch & Networking

Afternoon

14:00 – 14:30 Keynote Address
14:30 – 15:30 Oral presentations
Speaker 3 – Slot open for submission
Speaker 4 – Slot open for submission
Speaker 5 – Slot open for submission

15:30 – 16:00 Coffee break & Poster session

16:00 – 16:30 Startup pitches
2IP ALIVE Start-up 3
2IP ALIVE Start-up 4
16:30 – 17:00 Panel discussion

Day 2 - Thursday, November 26th

Morning

09:00-09:15 Welcome coffee
09:15-09:45 Keynote Address
09:45-10:45 Oral presentations
Speaker 6 – Slot open for submission
Speaker 7 – Slot open for submission
Speaker 8 – Slot open for submission

10:45-11:15 Coffee break & Poster session

11:15-11:45 Startup pitches
2IP ALIVE Start-up 5
2IP ALIVE Start-up 6
11:45-12:15 Panel discussion

12:15-13:45 Lunch & Networking

Afternoon

13:45-14:15 Ulysseus IPO Session
14:15-14:45 Keynote Address
14:45-15:15 Oral presentations
Speaker 9 – Slot open for submission
Speaker 10 – Slot open for submission
15:15-15:45 Startup pitches
2IP ALIVE Start-up 7
2IP ALIVE Start-up 8
15:45-16:15 Panel discussion
16:15 Goodbye coffee & Final networking

Event Venue

The INNOVA Conference will take place at Saint Paul Hotel, located in Nice, France.

Address:
Saint Paul Hotel – Nice
29 Bd Franck Pilatte
06300 Nice

The hotel is easily accessible by public transport and is ideally located near the city centre and the coastline, facing the sea. It offers a pleasant and convenient setting for all participants.