ISARA-Lyon
ISARA-Lyon is a private, non-profit French engineering school founded in 1968 that trains agronomy, agribusiness, food-science, and environmental engineers across its Lyon and Avignon campuses. It serves degree-seeking students, working professionals via apprenticeships, and agri-food companies through graduate recruitment and applied-research partnerships.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1968
- HeadquartersLyon, France
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What ISARA-Lyon does
ISARA-Lyon is a private, non-profit French engineering school founded in 1968, specializing in agriculture, agribusiness, food science, and environmental engineering. It operates two campuses (Lyon, hosted in the AGRAPOLE biopôle within Gerland, and Avignon, located in the Agroparc life-sciences hub) and trains engineers through a five-year Ingénieur Agronome program (both student-status and apprenticeship tracks), a three-year Bachelor in Agricultural Sciences and Engineering, and three English-language Master of Science tracks (Agroecology, Sustainable Food Systems, and Sustainable Trade for Agriculture and Food Industry). The institution is EESPIG-certified by the French Ministry of Higher Education as a Private Higher Education Institution of General Interest, and runs an extensive applied-research apparatus across three units (Agroecology and Environment, the Rural Studies Laboratory / LER, and BioDyMIA) coordinated under the AgroLab platform, which integrates 11 teachers, researchers, and technicians across microbiology, chemistry, physics, biology, automation, and food-technology labs.
The institution generates revenue primarily through regulated French tuition fees and increasingly through commissioned studies, industrial R&D partnerships, apprenticeship contracts, and Horizon 2020 research grants (e.g., AE4EU coordination, ECOSTACK participation, SMARTIB with ADISSEO, Néose with Aryballe and INRAE). Its go-to-market is direct-to-consumer via isara.fr, education fairs, open days, and social media, and it serves four customer segments: prospective engineering students, working professionals in agri-food seeking upskilling or apprenticeships, international students and partner universities, and agri-food companies seeking graduate recruitment, commissioned studies, and R&D collaboration. The commercial ecosystem is layered: AGRIVIA (the union with ISEMA, the agri-food business school) bundles a complementary curriculum; CLAS (agroecology research) and Hub des Audacieux (entrepreneurship) sit as centers of excellence; FoodShaker (an on-campus food-tech incubator), TERRA ISARA (endowment fund), and a professional network of 500+ companies, research labs, and NGOs round out a multi-stakeholder value chain. Customer reach extends to ~40 countries via 120+ partner universities and 8 dual-degree programs, with a stated 100% international-mobility outcome for engineering graduates and a 4.7/5 student satisfaction rating across 106 reviews.
ISARA-Lyon firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ISARA-Lyon
- Legal name
- ISARA
- Website
- https://isara.fr
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1968
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- ISARA-Lyon is a private, non-profit French engineering school founded in 1968 that trains agronomy, agribusiness, food-science, and environmental engineers across its Lyon and Avignon campuses. It serves degree-seeking students, working professionals via apprenticeships, and agri-food companies through graduate recruitment and applied-research partnerships.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ISARA-Lyon industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education - Agricultural Engineering
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Professional and Management Development Training (61143)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Agribusiness, Farm Management & Compliance (EDAOAOAN)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Agriculture & Food Production (EDABALAA), Operations, Supply Chain & Logistics Management Schools (EDAHAHAF), Education Systems & Skills Technical Assistance (BPADAEAI)
Keywords
Where ISARA-Lyon is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lyon
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
ISARA-Lyon business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Tuition Fees: Engineering schools in France generate revenue through tuition fees from degree programs. ISARA offers engineer (Grande Ecole), Bachelor, Master of Science, and professional programs. Revenue is reinvested into the non-profit association.
- Professional Services & Research Contracts: ISARA generates revenue through commissioned studies for businesses, research contracts, and consulting services. Companies can request student-led studies, recruit graduates, or partner on R&D projects.
- AGRIVIA Union Revenue: As part of the AGRIVIA union with ISEMA, shared programs and collaborative initiatives may generate cross-subsidies and operational efficiencies between the two institutions.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Engineering Program (Master Level) |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
ISARA-Lyon product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ISARA-Lyon is a French engineering school (Grande École) delivering higher-education programs in agriculture, agribusiness, food science, and environmental sciences, including the Ingénieur ISARA degree, professional bachelors, master's degrees, mastères spécialisés and MSc programs. It also conducts applied research through technical platforms such as AgroLab and a food microbiology laboratory, and provides continuing education and contracted expertise services to companies and public bodies.
Product overview
ISARA-Lyon is an engineering school offering a comprehensive portfolio of educational programs in agriculture, agribusiness, and environmental sciences. The core offerings include five-year engineering programs (student and apprenticeship tracks), Bachelor programs, and three English-language Master of Science programs (Agroecology, Sustainable Food Systems, and Sustainable Trade). The institution operates within the AGRIVIA strategic union with ISEMA, providing combined expertise through two centers of excellence: CLAS for agroecology and Hub des Audacieux for entrepreneurship. Additional services include international dual degree programs with 120 partner universities, the FoodShaker business incubator for food-tech startups, and applied research services through dedicated research units. The institution also supports innovation through the TERRA ISARA endowment fund.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- AGRIVIA: A union combining ISARA engineering school and ISEMA agri-food business school
- CLAS - Centre for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems
- The Hub des Audacieux
- TERRA ISARA
Products and services
- Ingénieur ISARA Programme CTI-accredited five-year engineering degree (Grade Master) in agriculture, agribusiness, food, and environmental sciences, offered as initial training and via the apprenticeship track, aimed at students seeking a French Grande École engineering diploma.
- Professional Bachelor (Licence Professionnelle) Programs
- Master's, Mastère Spécialisé and MSc Programs
- Continuing Professional Education
- Applied Research and Expertise Services
Quantifiable outcome
- 100% of students complete at least one semester abroad
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use ISARA-Lyon
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
ISARA-Lyon technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
ISARA-Lyon partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Région Auvergne-Rhône-AlpescorePartnership agreement under the Regional Plan for Engineers and Technicians. Includes creation of new Bachelor program, new specializations in digital and energy transition, and investments in equipment and student life.
- ISEMA (Institut Supérieur de l'Agroalimentaire)coreAGRIVIA union combining ISARA and ISEMA, forming a strategic alliance for agricultural and agri-food education. The union offers an enriched and complementary range of courses delivered by both schools.
- CLAS (Centre for Living Agroecology and Food Systems)coreOne of two centers of excellence under AGRIVIA. Works to promote the agroecological transition towards resilient and sustainable systems, disseminating knowledge and best practices.
- Hub des AudacieuxcoreCenter of excellence dedicated to entrepreneurship and sustainable innovation. Supports entrepreneurs, students, and innovators who aim to rethink food systems.
- TERRA ISARA (Fonds de dotation)coreEndowment fund created in 2012 that federates companies and regional partners around projects with high social impact, including the Paniers Solidaires food aid initiative.
- 120 Partner UniversitiescoreInternational network of 120+ universities in approximately 40 countries across Europe, Asia, North America, South America, and Africa, enabling student exchanges and dual degree programs.
- 500+ Companies and OrganizationscoreProfessional network including companies, research laboratories, consular organizations, and NGOs offering professional experiences abroad and recruitment opportunities.
- SUSPLUS Consortium (European Universities)minorEuropean cooperation project with 8 universities (Poland, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, France, Italy, Spain) to develop innovative pedagogical materials for sustainable food systems education.
- ECOSTACK (Horizon 2020)minorEU-funded research project developing agricultural systems that promote biodiversity. ISARA participates as research partner.
- AE4EU (Horizon 2020)minorEU-funded project coordinated by ISARA to enable successful transition to agroecology through joint European research, innovation, networks, training, and education actions.
- INRAE (Institut national de recherche pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement)coreMajor French public research institute. Pascal Boistard serves as President of INRAE Center Lyon-Grenoble Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes on ISARA's board.
- FoodShaker IncubatorminorAgri-food business incubator operated by ISARA that supports startups including FYG (fermented products), Nivers (non-alcoholic beverages), and Épât'moi (cocoa-free chocolate spread).
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
ISARA-Lyon competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Purpan Engineering School (Ecole d'Ingénieurs de Purpan): Toulouse-based French engineering school with strong agriculture, food science and life sciences programs. Comparable on program portfolio, French regulatory certifications and industry-linked research.
- Montpellier SupAgro: French public engineering school focused on agriculture, agronomy and environment. Closely comparable to ISARA on program mix, research intensity and target student segment in agronomy and food sciences.
- Bordeaux Sciences Agro: Public French agricultural engineering school. Matches ISARA's program scope in agronomy, viticulture and environment, serving a similar domestic and international student base.
- ESA Angers (École Supérieure d'Agricultures): Private French agricultural higher education institution. Closest match to ISARA's private non-profit structure, engineering/Bachelor portfolio, and industry partnership model in western France.
- VetAgro Sup: Public veterinary and agricultural engineering school in Clermont-Ferrand. Comparable to ISARA on the agriculture-environment-engineering intersection and French Grande Ecole positioning.
- AgroParisTech: France's leading public agricultural, food and environmental engineering school. Directly comparable to ISARA as a Grande Ecole engineering institution with parallel curricula in agronomy, food science and environment.
- ENSAIA (École nationale supérieure d'agronomie et des industries alimentaires): Nancy-based French agricultural and agri-food engineering school. Comparable on agronomy + food engineering curricula, research specialisations and French Grande Ecole student profile.
- JUNIA (formerly ISA Lille): French private engineering school covering agriculture, food and environment. Comparable to ISARA on private non-profit status, applied research, apprenticeship tracks and continuing education offerings.
- ISEMA (AGRIVIA sister school): French higher education institution specialising in agri-food business under the AGRIVIA union. Closely tied to ISARA structurally and operationally, sharing programs, research and dual-degree pathways.
- ONIRIS (École nationale vétérinaire, agro-alimentaire et de l'alimentation): French engineering school combining veterinary, food and agricultural sciences. Overlaps with ISARA on agri-food and agricultural engineering programs and applied research model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
ISARA-Lyon social profiles
Digital presenceISARA-Lyon financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ISARA-Lyon leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
ISARA-Lyon subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
ISARA-Lyon funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ISARA-Lyon M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about ISARA-Lyon
What does ISARA-Lyon do?
ISARA-Lyon is a French engineering school (Grande École) delivering higher-education programs in agriculture, agribusiness, food science, and environmental sciences, including the Ingénieur ISARA degree, professional bachelors, master's degrees, mastères spécialisés and MSc programs. It also conducts applied research through technical platforms such as AgroLab and a food microbiology laboratory, and provides continuing education and contracted expertise services to companies and public bodies.
Is ISARA-Lyon a public or private company?
ISARA-Lyon is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was ISARA-Lyon founded?
ISARA-Lyon was founded in 1968. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is ISARA-Lyon based?
ISARA-Lyon is headquartered in Lyon, France, in the Europe region.
How does ISARA-Lyon make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Tuition Fees are the primary driver. The others are professional Services & Research Contracts and AGRIVIA Union Revenue.
Who are ISARA-Lyon's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Purpan Engineering School (Ecole d'Ingénieurs de Purpan), Montpellier SupAgro, Bordeaux Sciences Agro, ESA Angers (École Supérieure d'Agricultures), VetAgro Sup, AgroParisTech, ENSAIA (École nationale supérieure d'agronomie et des industries alimentaires), JUNIA (formerly ISA Lille), ISEMA (AGRIVIA sister school) and ONIRIS (École nationale vétérinaire, agro-alimentaire et de l'alimentation).
Does ISARA-Lyon have an API?
No public API is recorded for ISARA-Lyon.
What industry is ISARA-Lyon in?
ISARA-Lyon's product category is Higher Education - Agricultural Engineering. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAOAOAN, Agribusiness, Farm Management & Compliance, with a secondary code of EDABALAA, Agriculture & Food Production. Its NAICS code is 6113 and its SIC code is 8200.