How JEC World turned its startup programme into an acquisition engine.

The context

JEC World gathers the global composites industry in Paris - 40,000+ professionals, every major materials group, and a technical audience that can tell a real innovation from a rebrand. The organiser wanted startups to be a signature of the show, not a discount corner: credible companies, investor traffic, and a programme that would grow edition over edition.

The programme - three bricks

Innovation partners include Airbus, ExxonMobil (Proxxima), Owens Corning, Mercedes-Benz and Swancor - category awards give each partner deal flow in their own lane, not just a logo on a step-and-repeat.

Why it compounds

Each brick feeds the others. Startups apply to Startup Booster because investors are in the room. Investors come because the selection is curated. Finalists get a booth as the prize - so winners become next edition's exhibitors, runners-up become the warmest booth pipeline, and the village never starts from zero. By year three the competition is an acquisition channel with its own alumni base.

"Being recognized by the JEC jury - composed of industry leaders - proves that our approach has the potential to truly disrupt how structures are built." - Dan Lee, CEO, Perseus Materials, 2025 winner.

What Sesamers runs

Sourcing from 25,000 scouted startups a year; the application and jury platform on app.sesamers.com; sponsor packaging for the innovation partners; finalist onboarding and stage production; investor recruiting and matching for Investor Day; and the post-show conversion motion that turns applicants into exhibitors. JEC's team owns the brand and the show; alumni and applicant data stay in JEC's account.