La Villa Blu, the Robertet Group's start-up gas pedal, opened its doors on March 21. This new center entirely dedicated to innovative projects in the natural products ecosystem was inaugurated on June 15, 2023.
Philippe Maubert, Chairman of the Robertet Group, inaugurated Villa Blu, the Group's start-up gas pedal, on June 15, 2023, in the presence of local elected officials.
Villa Blu's mission is to attract the most innovative young companies in the field of natural products. The gas pedal is based in Grasse, the historic birthplace of perfumery, at one of the Robertet group's three Grasse sites. The building housing the start-ups - which is one of Grasse's oldest perfumeries (the Charabot perfume house was bought by the group in 2007) - has, in addition to a reception level (rooftop), three levels of operations symbolizing the ascent of the start-ups, which will gradually climb them as the program progresses. "A way of visualizing the road travelled before being propelled towards independence, positive and sustainable impact and the conquest of their markets", says the Group.
The first five companies selected joined the gas pedal in March for an intensive six-month program. They can be supported for a further 18 months if they wish, and receive up to €100,000 in funding in exchange for a share in their capital. Every six months, five new companies will join Villa Blu.
At Villa Blu, companies can get to know their market and their customers, refine their value proposition and launch their marketing, develop their sales, prepare and launch their fund-raising. To this end, the Robertet Group places its expertise, network and regulatory support at their disposal.
"The launch of the Robertet gas pedal is part of a long journey that the Group has been on since its origins. After sowing, harvesting, transforming, extracting and revealing the very best of nature, it now intends to unearth the most cutting-edge start-ups in the field of naturalness, whether or not their activity is related to their chosen fields: fragrances, flavours and natural extracts. One ambition: to renaturalize the world. And this adventure begins where it all began for Robertet".says the company.
A first class of five start-ups
Lao develops patented natural formulas based on hemp proteins (100 % natural and certified organic) for healthy hair and scalp.
Holite offers a beauty approach that combines dietary supplements and targeted topical treatments.
Farm3 designs aeroponic growth chambers enabling its customers to grow their plants all year round by controlling numerous parameters.
Coralai uses artificial intelligence to propose customized treatment protocols.
Pow! Foods manufactures and distributes vegetable protein-based meat substitutes for the flexitarian market.
Photos: © Robertet (via LinkedIn)
