KIMIYO

What KIMIYO does

Kimiyo (legal name: Association Kimiyo) is a French non-profit association (association loi 1901) founded in 2014 and headquartered in Frontignan, Hérault, with a second regional antenna in Pyrénées-Orientales. It designs and delivers in-person scientific mediation activities, animations, and events for schools, libraries, médiathèques, municipalities, and the general public across the eastern Occitanie region. Its offering is organized around four strategic poles: Médiations (encounters with scientists), Animations (hands-on science concepts), Événementiels (festivals and special events), and Dynamique de Réseau (network coordination across the regional science mediation ecosystem). The portfolio includes named programs such as Tchatches & Sciences (debate formats), Sciences du Terroir (scientific tourism), Graines d'Avenir (food and seed transition), Festival SNORC (climate transitions), Festival Terres d'Ailleurs (explorer science), Festival Sud de Sciences, Fête de la Science coordination, Hydrogèn'Oc (green hydrogen), Ressources & Vous (mineral resources), and Sobriété Numérique (digital sobriety training), alongside reusable pedagogical toolkits and escape boxes.

The underlying "technology" is pedagogical content and human-mediated event delivery rather than software. Kimiyo does not operate a proprietary platform, app, API, or SDK; its differentiators are its catalog of formatted debates, workshops, scientific tourism experiences, and thematic programs developed in collaboration with research partners (IRD, CIRAD, INRAE, Université de Nîmes) and environmental education networks (CPIE Bassin de Thau, URCPIE Occitanie). Distribution occurs through direct on-site delivery at client venues, the Pass Culture platform for college and high school bookings, and partner channels such as the RESOLU Perpignan Méditerranée Métropole library network and the Science(s) en Occitanie regional network.

Kimiyo earns revenue through three streams: service fees for animation bookings (€250-€600 per half-day or full-day session, weekday or weekend, plus €0.60/km travel), annual individual memberships at €20 per year, and project-based public subsidies and grants. Significant funding partners include Région Occitanie, ADEME, DREAL Occitanie, Conseil Départemental des Pyrénées-Orientales, Sète Agglopôle Méditerranée, and the municipalities of Frontignan and Perpignan. The team is small (four named staff: Director Renaud SOROT and coordinators Romain HEE, Anthony Lopez, and Théodore ASSIE), with a community-led go-to-market relying on direct outreach, public events, and institutional partnerships rather than paid acquisition.

Name

KIMIYO

Legal name

Association Kimiyo

Website

https://kimiyo.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Kimiyo is a French non-profit association that designs and delivers in-person scientific mediation activities, workshops, debates, and festivals for schools, libraries, municipalities, and the general public across the eastern Occitanie region, funded by service fees, memberships, and public grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Science Education & Outreach Services

NAICS

Tour Operators (56152)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Academic & Scientific Conferences (MPAGAGAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Faculty-Led & Research/Field Study Expeditions (THAKAGAK)

Keywords

• Scientific mediation services
• Science education programs
• Public science outreach
• Science festival coordination
• Cultural science mediation

Headquarters

HQ city

Frontignan

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Service fees for animations: Kimiyo charges fees for its animation services to schools, libraries, municipalities, and event organizers. Pricing includes half-day and full-day rates for weekdays and weekends, plus travel costs.
2. Membership fees: 20€ annual membership fee for supporters and participants in activities.
3. Project-based subsidies and grants: Kimiyo receives public funding and subsidies for specific projects such as Graines d'Avenir (with IRD), Sciences du Terroir (with Carrefour des Sciences et des Arts and Radio Campus Montpellier), and SNORC festival (with Cosciences). Budgets include personnel costs, procurement, mission expenses, and volunteer expenses.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

KIMIYO is a French non-profit association (association loi 1901) that designs and delivers in-person scientific mediation activities for schools, libraries, municipalities, and the general public across the Occitanie region. Its portfolio includes discussion formats (Tchatches & Sciences), scientific tourism (Sciences du Terroir), thematic projects on food, mineral resources, and digital sobriety, and the coordination of regional science festivals (Fête de la Science, Festival SNORC, Festival Terres d'Ailleurs). Activities are delivered on-site by qualified scientific mediators through workshops, escape boxes, debates, screenings, and exploratory outings, with fees typically priced per half-day or full-day booking.

Product overview

KIMIYO is a non-profit association (association loi 1901) for scientific and cultural mediation in the Occitanie region of France. The organization operates through four strategic poles: Médiations (encounters with scientists), Animations (scientific concepts through activities), Événementiels (science-focused events), and Dynamique de Réseau (network coordination). The portfolio consists primarily of in-person programs and events rather than software products, including: Tchatches & Sciences (public discussion formats), Sciences du Terroir (scientific tourism), Graines d'Avenir (food transition project), Festival SNORC (transition-focused festival), Festival Terres d'Ailleurs (explorer science festival), Ressources & Vous (mining resources education), and the Kit pédagogique Mar i Munt (food education toolkit). The organization also delivers training programs such as Sobriété Numérique (digital sobriety) in partnership with URCPIE. Services are available to schools, libraries, municipalities, and the general public across the Occitanie region, with animations priced at €250-600 per half-day or full day plus travel costs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sciences du Terroir: Scientific tourism and wine/beer themed activities exploring terroir through science
• Tchatches & Sciences
• Graines d'Avenir
• Festival SNORC
• Festival Terres d'Ailleurs
• Ressources & Vous
• Ingénierie de médiation

Products and services

• Tchatches & Sciences Discussion-based events on societal topics using various formats and animation methods (Tchatche pêchue, Tchatche & Vidéo, Tchatche & Bidule, Tchatche pausée, Tchatche & Apéro). Held in libraries, bars, and community spaces across Occitanie for general public and families.
• Sciences du Terroir Scientific tourism experiences for tourists and local residents that explore the Occitanie terroir through wine, marine, and astronomy-themed scientific activities, delivered jointly with Carrefour des Sciences et des Arts and Radio Campus Montpellier.
• Graines d'Avenir Project addressing food and agricultural transition in response to climate change and biodiversity collapse, focusing on seed-related questions to promote sustainable food systems. Developed with IRD and other research partners.
• Festival SNORC (Sciences Nature Origines Ressources Climat) Festival of transitions addressing science, nature, origins, resources, and climate topics through activities and discussions, co-organized with Cosciences.
• Festival Terres d'Ailleurs Festival featuring scientific explorers studying species, landscapes, populations, and ecosystems worldwide. Includes projections, workshops, exhibitions, visits, and scientific expeditions.
• Ressources & Vous Educational project informing citizens about mining resources and their involvement in everyday objects (smartphones, electronics), addressing questions about opening mines in France. Developed with scientists from Géosciences Montpellier and the ANR-funded CMIO project.
• Kit pédagogique Mar i Munt Pedagogical toolkit for food education targeting the Pays Pyrénées Méditerranée territory, including three tools: Le Bingo des pratiques alimentaires, La Rifle des saisons, and a Carte du territoire. Suitable for ages 8+, adaptable for schools, libraries, and leisure centers.
• Sobriété Numérique Digital sobriety training program organized by URCPIE Occitanie in partnership with CPIE, targeting youth (middle school, high school, higher education) and adult relay networks (associations, MJC, youth missions). Funded by Région Occitanie, DREAL, ADEME, and others, with 10 planned interventions per CPIE through November 2026.
• Fête de la Science Kimiyo coordinates Science Festival activities on the Bassin de Thau area, with additional presence at other locations in the region.
• Ingénierie de médiation Mediation engineering service providing pedagogical tools, training, and games based on Kimiyo's experience in scientific mediation.
• Animations pédagogiques scolaires Pedagogical science animations for schools and colleges in Occitanie, with themes covering climate, energy, waste, food, and other topics. Includes hands-on experiments, escape boxes, and thematic sessions. Available to secondary schools via the Pass Culture program.
• Animations en médiathèque Family-friendly science animations and mediation activities delivered at médiathèques and libraries across Occitanie, with digital-themed animations offered free to the Perpignan Méditerranée Métropole library network (RESOLU).

Quantifiable outcome

• Coordination of Science Festival (Fête de la Science) across the Bassin de Thau territory
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Carrefour des Sciences et des ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Joint partner in the Sciences du Terroir project, combining science tourism offerings with Kimiyo's animation expertise and the Carrefour's cultural programming capabilities.
• Radio Campus MontpelliercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint partner in the Sciences du Terroir project, contributing radio broadcasting capabilities and youth outreach through the university radio network.
• IRD (Institut de Recherche pour le Développement)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner for Graines d'Avenir project on food systems and biodiversity. Provides scientific expertise and research connections for pedagogical content development.
• CIRADmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgricultural research partner contributing expertise on seeds, agriculture, and food systems for the Graines d'Avenir and related food projects.
• INRAEmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational research institute for agriculture, food, and environment contributing scientific expertise to Kimiyo's food and agriculture-related projects.
• Université de NîmesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner providing research connections and student involvement for science mediation activities.
• CPIE Bassin de ThaucoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal CPIE (Centre Permanent d'Initiatives pour l'Environnement) partner for environmental education and outreach, co-organizing escape box projects and local events.
• URCPIE OccitaniecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional CPIE federation partnering on the digital sobriety training program, with 10 planned interventions per CPIE through November 2026.
• Conseil Départemental des Pyrénées-OrientalesmajorOthersDepartmental council providing financial support for the Collégiens Écocitoyens project on digital sobriety in schools.
• Région OccitaniecoreOthersMajor regional funder supporting multiple Kimiyo projects including Ressources&Vous, Graines d'Avenir, Hydrogèn'Oc, and the digital sobriety program.
• CosciencescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the SNORC (Sciences Nature Origines Ressources Climat) festival on climate transitions, providing complementary science communication expertise.
• Fondation Blaise PascalminorOthersFoundation contributing to Kimiyo's science education and digital responsibility initiatives.
• Sète Agglopôle MéditerranéemajorOthersLocal territorial authority funding the escape box project on wastewater treatment and waste valorization at the station d'épuration des Eaux Blanches and Paprec UVE.
• Science(s) en Occitanie networkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional network of science mediation organizations including Kimiyo, coordinating and promoting science outreach activities across Occitanie. Kimiyo hosts and participates in the echoscciences platform.
• RESOLU - Perpignan Méditerranée Métropole library networkminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLibrary network partner where Kimiyo delivers free digital-themed animations for the network.
• Délires d'encreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner contributing to educational and creative content for Kimiyo's pedagogical projects.
• Ville de FrontignanminorOthersHome municipality providing local support for Kimiyo's operations.
• Ville de PerpignanminorOthersMunicipal partner supporting Kimiyo's activities in the Pyrénées-Orientales department.
• DREAL OccitaniemajorOthersRegional directorate supporting the digital sobriety training program (Sobriété Numérique) as part of the URCPIE partnership.
• ADEMEmajorOthersEnvironmental transition agency funding the digital sobriety program as part of the URCPIE Occitanie initiative.
• ANR (Agence Nationale de la Recherche)minorOthersThe CMIO project (ANR-funded) by Bénédicte Cenki from Géosciences Montpellier laboratory provides research linkage for the Ressources&Vous project on mineral resources.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle: National natural history museum offering public exhibitions, educational programming and outreach. Comparable in delivering science outreach to schools and general public, but as a large established institution with permanent collections and facilities rather than a regional animation association.
• Universcience (Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie): France's flagship public science center and museum in Paris, with national programming and brand recognition. Comparable in scientific mediation mission but operates at vastly greater scale, with national reach and direct ministerial funding that Kimiyo does not have.

Direct peers

• La Casemate: Grenoble-based science center offering hands-on exhibitions, school workshops and public science events. Comparable in the mix of paid school animations and free public-facing science events, although with a fixed-venue model Kimiyo lacks.
• Les Petits Débrouillards: National French association running hands-on science workshops and animations for schools and the general public across France. Directly comparable in mission (scientific mediation for non-specialist audiences) and in operating model (in-person animation fees plus public grants).
• La Main à la Pâte: French foundation coordinating inquiry-based science education in primary and secondary schools, with strong institutional ties to French research bodies and ministries. Highly comparable in pedagogy (hands-on, questioning-based science) and in public-funder relationships.
• URCPIE Occitanie: Regional federation of CPIE (Centres Permanents d'Initiatives pour l'Environnement) running environmental education programming. Comparable in environmental and ecological education mission, and a current Kimiyo partner — making it both peer and channel partner.
• Carrefour des Sciences et des Arts: Cultural and scientific mediation organization partnering with Kimiyo on Sciences du Terroir. Highly comparable in the Occitanie region on cultural programming and science outreach, with overlapping themes and audiences.
• Centre Sciences (CCSTI Orléans): Regional Centre de Culture Scientifique Technique et Industrielle coordinating science outreach, festivals and animations in the Centre-Val de Loire region. Directly comparable as a CCSTI-equivalent organization delivering similar animation, festival and debate programming.
• Science Animation (CRRST): Toulouse- and Occitanie-based science mediation association running school animations, public events, and festivals. Highly comparable as a direct in-region competitor operating in the same geography with similar programming and public-funder base.

Emerging players

• Association Traces: Smaller French association focused on scientific and technical culture through original event formats. Comparable in mission of bringing research closer to citizens, with a niche event-programming approach that overlaps Kimiyo's Tchatches format.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kimiyo

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 KIMIYO