Nemeton - The Biolab of Grenoble

What Nemeton - The Biolab of Grenoble does

Nemeton is a French non-profit association (Association Nemeton) founded in 2018 in Grenoble, France, operating a hybrid biolab-café concept that combines a 100% plant-based restaurant, a collaborative biology laboratory, and a scientific event programming venue. The core technology is a "frugal biology laboratory" model built on open-source hardware and open-source biology methodologies: shared access to professional equipment (microscopes, PCR thermocyclers, incubators, electrophoresis tanks, centrifuges) for non-institutional users such as artists, students, and curious citizens. Core products span three buckets — (1) educational science kits (Foldscope paper microscope at 9.95€, Blob/Physarum polycephalum kit at 12.90€, plus a new plush-toy merchandise line); (2) 3-day citizen-science scientific expeditions in the Belledonne massif at 585€ per participant, structured as a 235€ non-deductible participation fee plus a 350€ tax-deductible research contribution; and (3) ticketed Soirées du Vivant dinner-conferences (12.50€-29€) and an Erasmus+ Citeuropass programme across four European countries.

The business model is a diversified non-profit revenue stack: low-ticket retail via an online boutique (nemeton.bio/boutique) with postal delivery or free pickup, ticketed events and expeditions sold direct, a 5€/year membership for biolab access, a separate EURL (NBC EURL) managing the future café-restaurant operations, and substantial institutional income from grants and subsidies (Grenoble-Alpes Métropole, Ville de Grenoble, Département de l'Isère, Fondation de France, Fondation POMA, Fondation Lemarchand, Erasmus+) plus a 15,000€ crowdfunding tranche via HelloAsso. The organisation is led by a four-person core team (Damien Boüévin as delegated director, Sami Rachad as kitchen/production lead, Jean Pierre Nyakarundi as laboratory technician, Alexandre Roselet as events coordinator) and operates currently from an 8m² biolab prototype at La Capsule, with a major expansion into a 50m²+ basement biolab plus ground-floor restaurant and café-coworking space at 11 rue Marx Dormoy scheduled for June 2026 opening.

Name

Nemeton - The Biolab of Grenoble

Legal name

Association Nemeton

Website

https://nemeton.bio

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Nemeton is a French non-profit association operating a hybrid biolab-café in Grenoble, combining a 100% plant-based restaurant, collaborative biology laboratory, and scientific event programming to democratise life sciences access for citizens, students, and youth.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Citizen Science & Community Biology Laboratory

NAICS

Special Food Services (7223)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)

akta.pro primary industry

Conservation & Research Lodges (Citizen Science, Field Stations with Guests) (THAAAHAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Nutrition, Special Diets & Wellness Cooking (EDAOAKAJ), Culinary Skills Workshops (Baking, Regional Cooking, Food Prep Skills) (THAJAKAE)

Keywords

• Collaborative biology laboratory
• Citizen science expeditions
• DIY biology education
• Science communication events
• Frugal biotechnology research

Headquarters

HQ city

Grenoble

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Biolab Café Food & Beverage: Restaurant serving 100% plant-based cuisine with fermentation specialities. Open Wednesday–Friday evenings, and as a café-pâtisserie weekday afternoons. Revenue from food and beverage sales. Managed as NBC EURL (separate legal entity).
2. Boutique — Educational Kits: Sale of educational biology kits: Blob Kit (Physarum polycephalum sclerotes) at 12.90€, Foldscope microscope kit at 9.95€, realistic plush toys at 34.90€ (pre-order). Sold online with home delivery or free pickup at the biolab.
3. Scientific Expeditions: 3-day citizen science expeditions in Belledonne (585€ all-inclusive). Revenue split into a non-deductible participation fee (235€) and a deductible research contribution (350€). Student pricing covers only the participation fee. Contributes to funding scientific programmes and operational costs.
4. Soirées du Vivant — Ticketed Events: Monthly dinner-conference events with ticketed entry (12.50€–29€ per person). Combine scientific presentations with plant-based dining. Generates revenue while serving as a community engagement and awareness channel.
5. Annual Membership: Annual association membership at 5€. Grants access to biolab equipment, participation in collective projects, voting rights at general assemblies, and ability to develop personal projects.
6. Crowdfunding Campaign: One-time crowdfunding campaign targeting 15,000€ to complete the biolab café opening investment. Funding gap: façade, interior fitting, initial stock, and launch cash flow. Part of a larger 95,000€ project budget.
7. Grants and Subsidies: Association receives institutional funding from Grenoble-Alpes Métropole, Ville de Grenoble, Département de l'Isère, Fondation de France, Fondation POMA, and others. Citeuropass programme funded by Erasmus+. Expedition scholarships for priority youth funded by local government foundations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Nemeton operates a hybrid Biolab Café in Grenoble combining a 100% plant-based restaurant, a collaborative biology laboratory, and a scientific programming venue. It sells science education kits (Blob, Foldscope, plush toys), runs 3-day citizen science expeditions in the Belledonne massif (bioacoustics and eDNA), delivers educational programmes (Citeuropass Erasmus+, Micro-biodiversité urbaine workshops), and hosts monthly Soirées du Vivant dinner-conferences.

Product overview

Nemeton operates a hybrid Biolab Café venue in Grenoble combining a 100% plant-based restaurant, collaborative biology laboratory, and scientific programming. The product portfolio includes science education kits (Kit Blob, Kit Foldscope) sold through their boutique, scientific expeditions (Bioacoustique, ADN environnemental) to the Belledonne massif, educational programs (Citeuropass, Micro-biodiversité urbaine, Soirées du Vivant), and collaborative lab access. The organization focuses on democratizing life sciences through frugal, local, and repairable technologies aligned with solarpunk values.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Kit Blob (Physarum polycephalum cultivation kit) Physarum polycephalum (blob) cultivation kit containing 10 sclérotes, a Petri dish, agar-agar microtube, oat flakes microtube, and an illustrated guide. Allows users to observe the blob's awakening and growth at home. For curious individuals, students, and DIY biology enthusiasts; €12.90 with optional home delivery (€5.99) or free pickup in Grenoble.
• Kit Foldscope (paper microscope) Paper microscope kit invented at Stanford University providing 140× magnification. Includes a Foldscope to assemble, 6 paper slides, a transport pouch, a field guide, stickers, and assembly instructions. For students, hobbyists, and educators; €9.95 available for pickup in Grenoble or postal delivery in France.
• Peluches Réalistes (Realistic Species Plush Toys) Collection of 5 realistic plush toys featuring axolotl noir (35cm), kiwi (25cm), lizardfish/requin lézard (45cm), carnotaurus (52cm), and paraceratherium. Faithful reproductions of the proportions, textures, and distinctive traits of current and extinct species. Cotton with PP/polyester filling; €34.90 each on pre-order.
• Collaborative Biolab Access (membership-based laboratory) Annual membership at €5/year grants access to the collaborative biology laboratory equipped with microscopes, PCR thermocyclers, incubators, electrophoresis tanks, and a centrifuge. Includes team accompaniment for non-institutional users, participation in collective projects, voting rights at general assemblies, and the ability to develop personal projects. Located at La Capsule (21 Rue Boucher de Perthes) and the upcoming Biolab Café (11 rue Marx Dormoy).
• Expédition du Vivant — Bioacoustique 3-day citizen science expedition at Lacs Robert (2,225m) in the Belledonne massif studying biodiversity through sound. Uses AudioMoth recorders and Kaleidoscope Pro software for species identification, with scientific supervision by Biophonia. €585 all-inclusive (€235 non-deductible + €350 tax-deductible research contribution); student rate €235; 20 participants aged 18+.
• Expédition du Vivant — ADN environnemental (eDNA) 3-day citizen science expedition at Lacs Robert (2,225m) detecting species through genetic traces using environmental DNA sampling, PCR protocols with MiniPCR, and genetic analysis. Scientific supervision by Argaly. €585 all-inclusive (€235 non-deductible + €350 tax-deductible research contribution); student rate €235; 20 participants aged 18+.
• Citeuropass — Erasmus+ Frugal Innovation Programme Erasmus+ programme training students from France, Bulgaria, Romania, and Slovakia in frugal innovation, biotechnology, and European citizenship. Participants develop frugal innovation prototypes in international teams, with an intensive week hosted in Grenoble. Outputs include H2wOw water analysis and Clear Flow bio-filtration prototypes. Funded by the European Commission Erasmus+ programme.
• Micro-biodiversité Urbaine (Urban Micro-biodiversity Workshops) Urban micro-biodiversity education programme for youth in the Grenoble metropolitan area, particularly in priority neighbourhoods. Includes Foldscope paper microscope construction workshops, agar art, microscopy discovery, and youth science clubs. Delivered at schools and accueils collectifs de mineurs (ACMs), funded by Grenoble-Alpes Métropole and supported by the Lacoscope consortium (LiPhy, IGE).
• Soirées du Vivant (Dinner-Conference Event Series) Monthly dinner-conference series where researchers (e.g., CNRS Alpes) present on biology, ecology, and biotechnology topics alongside a 100% plant-based meal. Topics include bioluminescence, drag and biology, and environmental DNA. Tickets €12.50–€29 per person; select events free with optional food purchase. Held at the Biolab Café and partner cultural venues in Grenoble.

Quantifiable outcome

• 33 young people (ages 15–20) participated in mini-expeditions in 2023 and 2024, producing a 20-minute documentary.
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Grenoble-Alpes MétropolecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Major institutional partner supporting Nemeton's operations and programmes. Provides financial support for the Micro-biodiversité urbaine education programme and expedition eco-volunteer scholarships. Also provides场地 and organisational backing for the biolab café project.
• La Capsule (tiers-lieu)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018La Capsule is the youth and social innovation third-place hosting Nemeton's current biolab prototype (8m²). Provides physical space, community infrastructure, and a network of youth-focused organisations. Nemeton is one of the anchor projects of La Capsule.
• Cap BerriatcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCap Berriat is the business and innovation district/incubator environment that includes La Capsule and supports Nemeton's development. Provides programmatic and networking support.
• Université Grenoble Alpes (UGA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for Citeuropass Erasmus+ programme and general scientific credibility. Provides access to university laboratories, researchers for Soirées du Vivant, and student participation in programmes. Also co-pilots Citeuropass.
• CNRS AlpescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench National Centre for Scientific Research providing scientific expertise, researcher connections for citizen science programmes, and institutional credibility. Partner for Soirées du Vivant presentations (e.g., Hugues Nury, CNRS researcher).
• BiophoniacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerScientific partner for the Bioacoustics expedition (3–5 July 2026). Biophonia studies biodiversity through sound. Provides scientific protocols, researcher expertise, and AudioMoth recording equipment for citizen science data collection at altitude.
• ArgalycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerScientific partner for the Environmental DNA (eDNA) expedition (7–9 August 2026). Provides genetic analysis protocols, MiniPCR equipment, and scientific supervision for water sampling and PCR analysis at the Lacs Robert.
• LiPhy (Laboratoire)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhysics for Medicine research laboratory within UGA, partner within the Lacoscope consortium. Contributes scientific expertise and equipment for the micro-biodiversité urbaine programme.
• IGE (Institut des Géosciences de l'Environnement)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental geosciences institute at UGA, partner in the Lacoscope consortium supporting the micro-biodiversité urbaine programme with scientific oversight.
• ChamrousseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMountain resort and locality for the scientific expeditions. Provides logistical support and terrain access for the Lacs Robert expedition site (2,225m altitude) in the Belledonne massif.
• Alpes LàminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for providing hiking and bivouac equipment (backpacks, poles, tents, sleeping bags, headlamps) for expedition participants, reducing individual equipment requirements.
• Ecole supérieure d'Art et Design de Grenoble (Le Passager)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrenoble School of Art and Design, occasional venue partner for events and creative collaborations involving biolab users.
• Mateja Bela University (Slovakia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSlovak university partner in the Erasmus+ Citeuropass programme, alongside Ekonomická university in Bratislava.
• New Bulgarian UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBulgarian university partner in Citeuropass Erasmus+ programme, contributing students and mentors to frugal innovation challenges.
• Alexandru Ioan Cuza University (Romania)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRomanian university (Iași) partner in Citeuropass Erasmus+ programme, one of four European universities in the network.
• Végétal VivantminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExisting plant-based restaurant at 11 rue Marx Dormoy that Nemeton is taking over and transforming into the Biolab Café. Jennifer Kendzior, founder of Végétal Vivant, will supply fermented foods (kimchi, tempeh, miso) and collaborate on dinner events.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Wild Lab: NYC-based citizen science community and event platform. Comparable as a community organisation running biodiversity-themed citizen science events, bioblitzes, and educational programming.
• BioCurious: Sunnyvale, California community biolab founded in 2010. Closely comparable as a non-profit collaborative lab offering shared equipment, classes, and project space to citizen scientists and DIY biologists.
• Genspace: Brooklyn-based community biology lab founded in 2009, frequently cited alongside Nemeton as a model. Comparable as a non-profit open-access lab offering classes, equipment, and community events to citizen scientists.
• La Paillasse: Paris-based community biolab and fablab founded in 2010. Directly comparable as a French open-access life sciences lab open to non-institutional users, mentioned alongside Nemeton as one of very few such models in France.
• Counter Culture Labs: Oakland, California community lab founded in 2013. Comparable as a volunteer-run DIY bio lab offering shared equipment, workshops, and project incubation to citizen scientists and bio-artists.
• BricoBio: Montreal-based French-language DIY bio collective. Closely comparable as a French-speaking community biology lab running workshops and open lab access, serving a similar citizen-scientist audience.
• Hackteria: Switzerland-originated open-source bio/hacking network. Comparable as a frugal, open-source biology platform running workshops, residencies, and citizen science projects across Europe.

Emerging players

• Waag (BioHack Academy): Amsterdam-based research institute running BioHack Academy and bio/fabrication labs. Comparable as a non-profit offering open bio lab access, structured curricula, and equipment-building programmes to citizen scientists.
• SymbioticA: University of Western Australia-based artistic research lab for biological arts. Comparable as a research-embedded wet-lab offering open access to artists, designers, and the curious public with educational programming.

Others

• Open Insulin Project: Oakland-based community project developing open-source insulin protocols. Comparable as a frugal, open-source biology project hosted in community lab infrastructure with a similar non-institutional ethos.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/nemeton.bio
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nemeton-biolab-cafe
• Instagraminstagram.com/nemeton.bio

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Nemeton - The Biolab of Grenoble