Instant Science

What Instant Science does

Instant Science is a French non-profit association (loi 1901) headquartered in Toulouse that delivers science-mediation services across the Occitanie region. The association was formed in 2021 through the merger of Science Animation (operating since 1981) and À Ciel Ouvert (operating since 1990), and currently operates from four offices in Toulouse, Fleurance, Montpellier, and Tarbes with a staff of about 35.

Its core offerings include traveling exhibitions (Boutique Fiction, Archéo, Electrosound, Mondo Minot), educational escape games (Face à l'IA, Festin funeste, Panique dans la bibliothèque), workshops and FabLab activities, and youth science camps, with the Festival d'Astronomie de Fleurance serving as a flagship astronomy event. Several of these resources — including the "Panique dans la bibliothèque" kit used by more than 2,000 libraries — are distributed free of charge under Creative Commons licences, while premium exhibitions and escape games are rented or sold to cultural and educational venues. The Hydrogèn'Oc program, co-developed with GENHYO and COMUE, has reached roughly 50,000 people with hydrogen-awareness content, and the recent "Face à l'IA" escape game was co-designed with the ANITI AI institute and INSA Toulouse.

The business model blends public funding (Région Occitanie, FEDER, the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research, and departmental/inter-municipal partners), fee-for-service deliveries (exhibition rentals, workshops, bespoke animations), packaged youth-camp fees (around €950 per colony), memberships, and a new direct-to-youth distribution channel via the Pass Culture national platform. There is no equity funding and no disclosed revenue figure; budget scale is inferred from headcount, office footprint, and the magnitude of confirmed institutional programs.

Name

Instant Science

Legal name

Instant Science

Website

https://instantscience.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Instant Science is a French non-profit science-mediation association based in Occitanie that provides traveling exhibitions, escape games, workshops, and youth science camps to schools, libraries, municipalities, and cultural venues across the region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Science Education and Mediation Services

NAICS

Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (7121)

akta.pro primary industry

Science & Technology Museums (THAJADAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hands-on Science Exploration & Experiments (Lab Kits, Science Clubs) (EDAMABAA), Makerspaces & Fab Labs (Open Build Studios) (EDAMADAC), Science Camps & Field Programs (Nature, Space, Marine, Geology) (EDAMABAB), Makerspace, Innovation Lab & Fab Lab Operations (Tools, Safety, Programming) (EDAEAGAI)

Keywords

• Science mediation
• Science exhibitions
• Educational workshops
• Science communication
• Public engagement

Headquarters

HQ city

Toulouse

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Service Provision and Animation Fees: Instant Science generates revenue by providing science mediation services, animations, and workshops to schools, municipalities, cultural venues, companies, and event organizers. Pricing is quote-based and varies by format, duration, and audience.
2. Exhibition and Program Licensing / Rental: Traveling exhibitions (Archéo, Electrosound, Mondo Minot, Boutique Fiction) are rented or licensed to cultural venues, libraries, and municipalities. Rental fees apply for minimum durations (1–2 months). Revenue model is per-exhibition rental contracts.
3. Youth Camp and Discovery Stay Packages: Organized youth astronomy camps and discovery stays (e.g., Colonie au Festival d'Astronomie, Une nuit dans les étoiles) are sold as all-inclusive packages covering accommodation, meals, activities, and festival access. Example: 950€ all-inclusive per young participant.
4. Membership Fees: Annual membership (adhésion) fees provide supporters access to free pedagogical resources and participation in association governance, generating modest recurring revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Instant Science is a French non-profit association (loi 1901) created in 2021 from the merger of Science Animation (Toulouse) and À Ciel Ouvert (Fleurance), providing science mediation services. The organization designs and delivers science exhibitions, escape games, animations, astronomy camps, and educational kits for schools, cultural venues, municipalities, families, and the general public across the Occitanie region. It also hosts science festivals such as "Les étoiles filantes" and develops digital resources and pedagogical kits.

Product overview

Instant Science operates as a science mediation association in Occitanie, France, offering a diverse portfolio of educational products and services. The core offering combines immersive exhibitions (La Boutique Fiction, Archéo, Electrosound, Mondo Minot), educational escape games and kits (Face à l'IA, Festin funeste, Panique dans la bibliothèque), and hands-on animations across astronomy, robotics, and environmental themes. Supporting infrastructure includes the Propulseur mobile semi-trailer, cargo bikes for outreach, and the Hameau des étoiles observatory facility for astronomy camps. The portfolio includes digital resources like Le Monde de la Nuit pedagogical kit and various thematic boxes for career exploration. The company also recruits Service Civique volunteers and offers membership programs for public engagement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• La Boutique Fiction Science exhibition/event produced by Instant Science as part of its touring exhibitions catalogue.
• Escape game Face à l'IA – Kit d'animation An interactive escape game kit on the theme of artificial intelligence, designed as an educational tool.
• Les humains, une même famille Science exhibition exploring human origins and shared heritage, part of the exhibition catalogue.
• Escape game Festin funeste An escape game kit themed around a scientific subject, offered as a participatory animation activity.
• Exposition Electrosound Traveling science exhibition on the theme of electricity, sound, or related physics phenomena.
• Exposition Mondo Minot Traveling science exhibition designed for young audiences, part of the Instant Science catalogue.
• Archéo une expo à creuser Traveling science exhibition on the theme of archaeology.
• Buzzers quiz Interactive science quiz activity using buzzers, designed as a participatory animation for groups.
• Hydrogèn'Oc Educational project or kit related to hydrogen energy, targeted at schools and the public in Occitanie.
• Le Monde de la Nuit – Kit pédagogique Pedagogical kit on the theme of nocturnal biodiversity or astronomy, designed for school use.
• Construire une carte du ciel mobile Pedagogical kit for building a rotating star map, used for astronomy education activities.
• Colonie au cœur du Festival d'Astronomie Science camp (colonie) organized around the Festival d'Astronomie in Fleurance, for young participants.
• Stages / Classes de découvertes Discovery classes and educational stays for school groups, focused on science and nature themes.
• Festival Les étoiles filantes Annual science festival organized by Instant Science combining scientific events, conferences, and public animations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 6,000 direct participants and 44,000+ indirect visitors reached through Hydrogèn'Oc hydrogen awareness tour
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Région OccitaniecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRégion Occitanie is a key institutional partner and funder of Instant Science's operations. The region co-funds projects including the Boutique Fiction (with FEDER), Hydrogèn'Oc through the GENHYO program, and provides general operating support. The partnership includes co-production of regional science events and programming.
• Ministère de l'Enseignement supérieur et de la RecherchecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Ministry of Higher Education and Research provides funding and institutional support for Instant Science projects, including the Escape Game Face à l'IA developed with Ministry support. The Ministry is listed as a key partner on the organization's communications and programming.
• Académie OccitaniecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Académie Occitanie (regional education authority) collaborates with Instant Science on pedagogical alignment and school-based programs, ensuring educational content meets national curriculum standards.
• COMUE Université de ToulousecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe COMUE (Communauté d'universités et établissements) de Toulouse is the lead institution for the GENHYO (Génération Hydrogène Occitanie) program, with Instant Science as a consortium partner for the hydrogen awareness tour Hydrogèn'Oc. COMUE also co-produced the Boutique Fiction and is involved in ANITI (Artificial and Natural Intelligence Toulouse Institute).
• INSA ToulousecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerINSA Toulouse provided scientific backing for the Escape Game Face à l'IA project, with faculty members Elodie Chanthery and Gwendoline Le Corre participating in the game's design alongside Instant Science.
• ANITI (Artificial and Natural Intelligence Toulouse Institute)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerANITI, the Artificial and Natural Intelligence Toulouse Institute, co-designed the Escape Game Face à l'IA with Instant Science, providing scientific expertise on artificial intelligence topics. The institute is part of the COMUE de Toulouse.
• Carrefour des Sciences et des ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCarrefour des Sciences et des Arts is a co-producer of the Boutique Fiction immersive exhibition and the Les Humains, une même famille exhibition, combining scientific and artistic expertise in science mediation.
• KimiyocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKimiyo is a co-producer of the Boutique Fiction and a partner in the Hydrogèn'Oc hydrogen awareness tour alongside Instant Science and Planète Sciences Occitanie, bringing expertise in science communication methodology.
• Planète Sciences OccitaniecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlanète Sciences Occitanie co-designed and co-animates the Hydrogèn'Oc regional hydrogen awareness tour as part of the GENHYO program, complementing Instant Science's science mediation expertise.
• Toulouse MétropoleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerToulouse Métropole is a local government partner providing support for Instant Science's science outreach programming in the Toulouse metropolitan area.
• Département de la Haute-GaronneminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Haute-Garonne department provides institutional support and partnership for Instant Science's science mediation activities within the department.
• Service CiviqueminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerService Civique provides civic service volunteers to Instant Science, enabling the organization to offer mission opportunities for young people in science mediation and outreach roles.
• Musée Saint-Raymond (Toulouse)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMusée Saint-Raymond co-conceived the Archéo, une expo à creuser! exhibition with Instant Science, providing archaeological expertise and hosting the exhibition at its venue.
• La Turbine sciences (Annecy)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLa Turbine sciences, a science center in Annecy, has hosted multiple Instant Science traveling exhibitions including Archéo and Electrosound, serving as a distribution channel for the organization's itinerant content.
• La Rotonde (CCSTI Mines Saint-Étienne)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLa Rotonde originally conceived the Mondo Minot exhibition, which was re-adapted by Instant Science for broader deployment, demonstrating an inter-regional CCSTI collaboration.
• Fédération OctopusminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Fédération Octopus co-conceived the Electrosound exhibition on sound physics with Instant Science, contributing expertise in science communication networks.
• Halle Tropisme (Montpellier)Channel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHalle Tropisme, a cultural coworking hub in Montpellier, hosts Instant Science's regional office and has served as a venue for the Mondo Minot exhibition, providing access to its cultural infrastructure.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Kimiyo: Science communication methodology organization co-producing the Boutique Fiction exhibition and partnering on Hydrogèn'Oc alongside Instant Science. Comparable as a thematic co-producer and partner with overlapping content development capabilities.

Direct peers

• Cap Sciences: CCSTI (Centre de Culture Scientifique, Technique et Industrielle) in Bordeaux operating as a regional science center with exhibitions, workshops, and educational programming. Closely comparable as a peer CCSTI with overlapping exhibition-rental and school-program business models.
• Centre Sciences (CCSTI Orléans): Regional CCSTI coordinating Fête de la Science programming in Centre-Val de Loire. Comparable as a public-funded science mediation center with traveling exhibitions, school programs, and event-driven GTM similar to Instant Science's Occitanie operations.
• Les Petits Débrouillards: National French association running hands-on science workshops, escape games, and pedagogical kits for schools and the general public. Highly comparable as a fellow loi 1901 association offering free Creative Commons-style science mediation resources across multiple French regions.
• Planète Sciences: National science education association offering youth science camps, astronomy programs, and technical workshops. Direct peer as it is also an active co-development partner of Instant Science on the Hydrogèn'Oc tour and operates the same association-type model with similar product categories.
• La Rotonde (CCSTI Mines Saint-Étienne): CCSTI science center at Mines Saint-Étienne that originally conceived the Mondo Minot exhibition re-adapted by Instant Science. Direct peer as an inter-regional CCSTI collaborator with comparable exhibition development, hosting, and pedagogical mission.
• Récréasciences CCSTI: CCSTI for Nouvelle-Aquitaine running science exhibitions, escape games, and educational programming. Directly comparable as a regional science outreach organization with similar content library strategy and school/libraries audience targeting.

Broad incumbents

• La Turbine sciences: Science center in Annecy that hosts multiple Instant Science traveling exhibitions including Archéo and Electrosound. Comparable as an established CCSTI venue operating as both a hosting partner and a regional exhibition and workshop operator.
• Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie: France's flagship national science museum and cultural institution in Paris. Comparable as a broader incumbent offering overlapping exhibitions, escape games, and educational programs, but operating at national scale with significantly larger reach and budget than Instant Science.

Others

• Echosciences: National network of science communication professionals connected to Instant Science via the Echosciences Sud node. Related as an enabling ecosystem platform rather than direct competitor, sharing audiences and contributor pools.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/instantscience
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCGGGt_MF_QhGpz3h81eZQMQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/instantscience
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/instant-science
• Instagraminstagram.com/instantsciencefr

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Instant Science