The L'Occitane Group has opened Obratori, a startup studio in Marseille, France, to help support entrepreneurs.

The studio is located in the Cité de l'Innovation et des Savoirs Aix-Marseille (CISAM), the former emblematic art-deco building of the Castel, in Marseille. It is shown above on the right. 

Obratori will welcome a dozen of startup companies. French companies are eligible for consideration, as well as international start-ups based in Marseille.

The studio can accommodate up to 108 workstations. The workspace is equipped with an L2 cellular research laboratory and a MIT compliant FabLab.

The entrepreneurs that are chosen will receive support for their companies for a maximum of 23 months. They will benefit from an adapted workspace, the support of the internal resources of Obratori, a network of experts and mentors, and the ecosystem of the L'Occitane Group.

The startups sought are those in cosmetics and well-being, as well as in the digitalisation of solutions for retail and early growth which require technical, financial, commercial, marketing or other support. The blend of product, digital and other startups is a must-have, according to Obratori, to jointly develop strong synergies of innovation and to explore new concepts, ideas, products, services and brands.

Reinold Geiger, CEO, L'Occitane Group, says, "The opening of the startup studio will enable new ideas to be explored and developed in a fast-moving world. The L'Occitane Group has always been keen to initiate entrepreneurship and perpetual renewal, it's in our DNA."

Geiger continues, "The creation of startups around the world is an economic revolution whose consequences will be seen very quickly, they have become the most important actors in the entrepreneurial system."

Amaury Godron, general manager, Obratori, says, "We are aware that innovation is key to identify new breakthrough ideas. We are proud to bring the next generation of entrepreneurs through our partnership with Aix-Marseille University and the support of the Aix-Marseille Provence Metropole and the South Region."

The L'Occitane Group manufactures and markets five brands, L'Occitane en Provence, Melvita, Erborian, L'Occitane au Brésil and LimeLife by Alcone.