The promise: the business city would be an epicenter of innovation, growth and opportunity. A place of “cross-fertilization” for start-ups and university students. And the cradle of new economic momentum for the region. Twenty-nine months later, we wanted to walk through the corridors and ask: “SO?”
After two hours of visiting, in the floors of this very special building, we came out with answers (and suggestions) in the notebook and a strong impression: that of a place which is still being built but where everything is in place for a new model to be created…
What is this model? That’s Laure Cayla who needs to be asked: she, as director of the business community, is the guarantor of the model. A civil servant in the Pays de Lérins urban community (1) where she was responsible for the fight once morest flooding, she is now responsible for supporting businesses and developing audiovisual studios. “David Lisnard wanted what makes Cannes, that is to say cinema, to have repercussions for the development of the territory, for young people to be able to train and create businesses here… This is what I am working on.”
By implementing specific tools and a way of operating.
Places and a state of mind
To create the model – “by which Cannes and the university were designated as one of the 25 places that are changing innovation in France”, specifies Laure Cayla – tools were needed.The campus is one. The business center, which occupies spaces common to those of the students, too.
Classrooms and lecture halls on the ground and first floors, company offices on the second. Students and professionals meet in the catering, coworking and event spaces. The idea was for these worlds to connect to collaborate on film sets or in sound booths. Do they do it?
First collaborations with the pros
Among the pros it seems natural: that day for example, when entering a sound booth, we came across a member of Philartmedia Studio, a newly established start-up. He was working on a soundtrack for Pitchoun mediahis neighbor on the 2nd floor.
Is this type of behavior common? “Not as much as we would like”, recognizes Laure Cayla. But she and her team are working on it: “We are organizing meetings, meetings, we are going to set up mailings common to all. And our screen, in the entrance hall, provides information on everything that happens during the day.”
When a student creates his business on the site
We return to Philartmedia: this audiovisual production company was created and is managed by Victor Basier.
Victor, from Nice, started in music at 8 years old. He is a saxophonist. As a young adult, he developed a passion for film music and created his first arrangements. In 2021, he opened his small company while continuing his studies.
It was as a student (in Master 2 at Méliès) slash entrepreneur that he applied and joined the city of companies. “We benefited from a special rate, because I am a student…” he testifies as he closes his small room.
Immediately, another door opens to reveal a young man visibly in a hurry: “Hansley has produced highly successful clips, several of which have exceeded 100 million views”, smiles Laure Cayla. Some have been rewarded with certifications, from gold disc to diamond single.
“I exceeded one billion views on YouTube…” he said as he left his premises, also modest.
More opulent, that of the neighbor: Adastra films that we already knew. Sébastien Aubert, one of the creators of this production company, suggests that we sit in the small living room. “When we said 15 years ago that we were going to establish ourselves in Cannes, we were made fun of in Paris…”
Interns and work-study students recruited on site
Even in Cannes, the company continued to prosper. She has nevertheless produced, in addition to her shorts, five feature films which have received awards (the last: Brides at the Berlinale). She also thanks the business city for existing. She also plays the game of sharing and takes, for example, interns or work-study students from among her students. “It’s simpler for us: as we give lessons here, we identify the elements that interest us…”
The next step? “Bring in other professions from Paris: lawyers, accountants specializing in the cinema sector for example…”
1. It is the agglomeration and the town hall of Cannes which are at the initiative of the place.
filming.(Photos Ph. D, S. B.et DR).
How much ?
3 The Méliès business center offers a total surface area (including equipment) of 2,020 m² including 640 m² of offices. It is equipped with 3 film sets, a TV control room, two sound booths, four post-production studios (image editing, calibration, sound editing/mixing), a projection/post-production room (sound editing/mixing, dubbing, etc.), recording studios.
3 18 companies are housed there, representing 55 jobs (89% occupancy rate).
Two other dedicated locations welcome businesses: the Bastide Rouge nursery (585 m²): 15 businesses and 80 jobs; the business hotel (1,123 m²) in the Tourrades area: 7 companies and partners and 9 jobs.
Very recently “I love my campus” took place in the Cité hall.
Possible, even far from Paris
We wanted to get the opinion of an entrepreneur who had not been introduced to us that day.
Julien Masson from X-Makers shared his experience: “It’s really great to develop this kind of ecosystem outside of Paris. The exchanges between start-ups are incredible. We make connections with other entrepreneurs. We share ideas, collaborate on projects, and learn from each other. This stimulating atmosphere promotes creativity and growth. As far as events go, there are a lot of them, and it’s fantastic. Meeting investors, mentors and other experts allows us to expand our network and discover new opportunities […] »
– Only one negative point according to him: “We are not mobilizing enough the leaders of groups and SMEs in the Alpes-Maritimes…”
