Innovatech Challenge: Two Icam Students Reach the National Final in Paris

Higher EducationIcam
7 May 2026

The Innovatech Challenge, created 10 years ago by the association Elles Bougent, gives young women a concrete experience of careers in engineering and the industry of the future, over the course of a single day.

Each year, the Challenge brings together intergenerational teams made up of high school girls, female engineering students and professional women working in the field, across 21 regions of mainland France. Each team must devise innovative solutions around major future-focused and societal themes: sustainable cities, connected devices, smart food, the transport of the future, artificial intelligence, augmented reality, or cybersecurity.

On March 10, for the Hauts-de-France region, seven teams — each made up of two high school girls, two female engineering students and two Elles Bougent mentors — competed in the challenge held at Icam’s Lille campus. Team Glouteam stood out with their Gloupil project: a smart water bottle with a built-in pill dispenser designed to help children with chronic illnesses follow their treatment independently, in a fun and safe way. This project earned them the jury’s first prize in Lille and a place in the national final of this 11th edition of the Challenge, held on May 6 in Paris.

Competing against 21 finalist teams from across France, the pressure was high beneath the monumental structures of the Cité des sciences et de l’industrie. In just 7 minutes, they had to captivate both the jury and the audience. Thanks to the relevance and quality of the Gloupil project — combining creativity, ingenuity and commitment — the team came away with a prestigious second place!
A tremendous source of pride for Valentine Laforge, an Icam Lille student who was part of team Glouteam.
Elise Chaillou de Fougerolle, a student at Icam Toulouse, also took part in this wonderful adventure, likewise reaching the grand final in Paris.
For both of them, the Innovatech Challenge proved to be an incredible and deeply enriching experience.

Congratulations to the finalists, to our students, and to all the Icam students who took part in this challenge and who, through their commitment, are helping to break down stereotypes and inspire young women to pursue careers in engineering.