Elicit Plant wins the EY National Entrepreneur of the Year Award – Start-up Category

A distinction that confirms a strong growth trajectory

After winning the EY Nouvelle-Aquitaine Award in September, Elicit Plant was honored at the national level during the EY French Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 ceremony, held on October 13 at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. This recognition highlights the journey of an innovative, high-impact, and fast-growing company driven by a clear mission: putting science at the service of agriculture to meet the challenges of climate change.

During the EY Award ceremonies, Jean-François Déchant, CEO of Elicit Plant, shared in a video the company’s mission and the phytosterol-based technology that has made it a benchmark in French AgTech.

Science at the heart of agricultural innovation

The EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award is a unique global program, present in more than 60 countries, that supports, promotes, and celebrates entrepreneurial initiatives. It shines a light on visionary leaders from all regions of France who shape the future with confidence, transforming their industries through innovation, growth, and impact.

Elicit Plant was recognized in the “Scale-up of the Year” category, as a company combining high potential with strong impact.

In this category, the jury commended Elicit Plant for its ability to combine scientific innovation, international development, and contribution to more sustainable agriculture. This national distinction celebrates a unique model built on the science of phytosterols and a strong conviction: agricultural resilience depends on the physiological efficiency of plants when facing climatic extremes.

“Our mission is to help farmers tackle one of their greatest challenges: the impact of climate change, and in particular, water deficits affecting their crops. Thanks to phytosterols, we have developed natural, effective solutions that strengthen plant resilience to stress. Our international success demonstrates the relevance of our approach and the benefits it brings to developing sustainable, resilient agriculture that supports global food sovereignty,” explains Jean-François Déchant, CEO of Elicit Plant.

“We are deeply honored to have received the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award. It acknowledges the journey we’ve made since the company’s creation, the team’s energy that made it possible, and the success of our international growth,” he adds.

A recognition that crowns an exceptional year

This award adds to several international distinctions received in 2024 and 2025, including:

• Water Agri Innovation Discovery Award 2024, for the best European innovation in agricultural water management;
• THRIVE Top 50 AgTech Companies 2025, ranking Elicit Plant among the most innovative companies in sustainable agriculture;
• AgTech Breakthrough Award 2025, naming Elicit Plant “Sustainable Crop Resilience Company of the Year.”

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Continuing the mission of agricultural innovation

This new recognition highlights the work of Elicit Plant’s teams and partners, committed to supporting farmers in their transition toward more sustainable, productive, and resilient agriculture. It reinforces the company’s conviction that science can sustainably transform agricultural practices to better protect both crops and natural resources.