Innovation and R&D expert
Jean-Christophe Simon, innovation and R&D expert
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 more than thirty 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 patent applications.
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 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 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.