The Grenoble INP Foundation has made “Right Tech” the focus of its 2026 gala evening. This event serves as an opportunity to highlight the commitment of engineers and researchers to fair and sustainable technology and to showcase the diversity of the profiles and career paths supported by the Foundation.
“Today, it is not enough simply to develop technologies; the challenge also lies in understanding how this development fits into a sustainable and ethical framework. This issue of ‘Right Tech’ is essential today, and it is at the heart of the Grenoble INP Foundation’s work.”. In his opening remarks at the Foundation’s gala evening, held on April 21 at the Grenoble INP Auditorium, Serge Autuori, the Foundation’s president, kicked off the discussion on this issue, which lies at the heart of the innovation efforts led by teams of engineers and researchers at the Grenoble INP – UGA laboratories and, more broadly, within the Grenoble ecosystem. “At Grenoble INP, we believe in ‘Right Tech’ and in technology that is modest, efficient, and always useful,”, emphasized Vivien Quéma, General Administrator of the Institute. For the first time, the Inovallée technology park was a partner for the evening and reaffirmed its commitment to the issue, with Laurent Monge, its president : “Twenty years ago, we were pioneers on the issue of CSR (corporate social responsibility, Ed.). This conviction that innovation must serve society and must be meaningful has been with us for a long time.”.
The “right technology” with the “right talent”
And it is precisely together that Grenoble INP – UGA, the Grenoble INP Foundation and Inovallée have decided to move forward on these issues, strengthening the long-standing collaboration that unites them. Gaëlle Calvary, Vice President of Innovation at Grenoble INP – UGA, Claire Chanterelle, Executive Director of 'Inovallée and Benoît Giroud, Director of the Foundation, emphasized the need to embrace “fair technology” with the “right talent.” This collective effort aims to recruit and support the talent of tomorrow through Grenoble INP – UGA, as well as through initiatives such as Tarmac,Inovallée' startup incubator, and scholarships awarded by the Grenoble INP Foundation, to support diverse candidates, enabling them to realize their full potential.
The event also provided an opportunity to learn about inspiring career paths, such as that of Gwenaëlle Bailly, a graduate of Grenoble INP – Phelma, business angel, advisor, and co-founder of Girls & Tech. Today, she is working to shed light on the challenges women face in the tech sector, particularly when it comes to fundraising. “Many women today face this situation and choose to move to the U.S. to pursue their projects,” she emphasized. “We’re losing talent!”
Responsibility and Inclusion
While “right tech” requires reflection on issues of simplicity and utility, it also prompts us to consider the inclusivity and accessibility of these professions. Anthony Babkine, a social entrepreneur committed to equal opportunity in tech, and Vincent Bontems, a philosopher of science and technology and researcher at CEA Saclay, thus exchanged their perspectives on the issues of technological progress, responsibility, and inclusion. In particular, they discussed AI and its development. “There are currently four systemic risks associated with AI,, explained Vincent Bontemps. “The first is an economic risk, as it is an expensive technology that has not yet created a single cent of value. The second is a social risk, with the effects we’re already seeing that are impacting intellectual professions. The third risk concerns sovereignty. Finally, there is an ecological risk, due to the insane carbon footprint it generates. AI is our ally in solving complex systems, and it must be used for that purpose.”. In the face of the profound transformations brought about by AI, the challenge is also to enable young people to envision their future: “We need to tell our young people what the jobs of the future will be, what skills we will need tomorrow, and what the job market will look like. We must open up the field of possibilities.”, emphasized Anthony Babkine.
Inspiring stories
Demonstrating the diversity of the programs and projects supported by the Grenoble INP Foundation, students from the iGEM Grenoble 2025' team - a biotechnology competition -presented their work on the early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. As part of this ExoSPY project, they won the silver medal at MIT iGEM. The chaire Cellulose Valley, supported by the Foundation, renewed for five years and working on the design of sustainable packaging, was also able to highlight its work, as was the company Protéalpes, which develops sports nutrition products using raw material sourcing technologies.
Top athletes representing the Foundation
All of them received an OsezlAvenir award presented by Murielle Brachotte, deputy director of the Grenoble INP Foundation, who also honored Victor Lovera, Jules Chervet and Paul Jenft, elite athletes and students at Grenoble INP. They emphasized the importance of the Foundation’s support throughout their careers, as Paul Jenft : “The Foundation provides us with a network, a connection to the professional world, and financial support that is essential, but it’s also a source of pride to wear its colors in competition. It’s a way to send a message and show that you can be an athlete while also pursuing your studies. That’s what gives meaning to my sport.”.
Highlights from the evening
Coming soon!
Conferences
To watch (or rewatch) all the talks from the 2026 Gala evening, , click here!
