Innovation and R&D expert
Dr. Jean-Christophe Simon, innovation and R&D expert
Dr. Jean-Christophe Simon is the founder of Calsoï, an innovation strategy and R&D advisory firm based in the Lyon area, France. He led research and development for 30 years, across cosmetics, consumer goods, optics and medical devices.
A career leading innovation and R&D
He served as Group Innovation Director at Groupe SEB, led Group R&D at Thuasne as part of a long-term executive-committee engagement, and headed the joint Essilor-Nikon research centre in Japan. Earlier, he held R&D leadership roles at L'Oréal and Kao. An engineer and PhD in physics from the University of Rouen, he is the author of more than thirty patents.
Areas of expertise
- Innovation strategy and R&D roadmaps
- Fractional innovation and R&D leadership
- Operating partner for deeptech startups
- Intellectual property and patent portfolios
- Technology company divestiture
- Industrial ties between Europe and Asia
One question that guides every engagement
An innovation only matters if it is adopted. That is why Dr. Jean-Christophe Simon brings every project back to a single question: why will users actually adopt this product? This focus on real-world use, rather than technical prowess alone, sets apart the way he leads innovation.
Recognition and current roles
He is a Foreign Trade Advisor to the French Government, R&D Strategy Lead and Advisor at Ankar AI (a UK startup applying AI to R&D and patents), and has advised Maison MGA for five years. He lived and worked in Japan for six years.
Profiles and references: LinkedIn, Wikidata, IdRef, Crunchbase.