Inria & SMEs - Technology transfer policy

Inria's club of partner SMEs

Special relationship between Inria and innovative SMEs, the "SME Club" makes it possible to boost technology transfers to certain SMEs in the field of Information and Communication Science and Technologies (ICST) and support them in their growth. Established in 2009 by the institute, this new network gives companies the possibility of being on the front line to take advantage of the innovations of public research.

A strategy for technology transfers to SMEs

Through a dedicated portal, the SME Club is a true bridge intended to emphasize exchanges and collaborations between SMEs and public research. This network aims to promote innovation, a guarantee of SME development. According to Bruno Sportisse, Director of Technology Transfer and Innovation at Inria, the Club represents "an excellent vehicle for maximizing the impact of the research conducted within our centers. By revitalizing our exchanges with our partner SMEs, we benefit from their market experience. We are then able to adapt our technology transfer offering in order to support them in their growth."

Personalized access for SMEs

Any innovative SME in the field of ICST, through it offering or its market, is invited to join the SME Club. Businesses have personalized access to the dedicated Web portal. They thus benefit from information allowing them to fit into the overall dynamics of the players of innovation alongside Inria, such as:

technology transfer opportunities, regardless of the vehicle in question;
calls for collaborative research proposals (Europe, ANR, FUI) in which they can be involved alongside Inria project teams;
the presentation of national and international actions of Inria capable of providing opportunities for involvement or promotion;
CVs of young graduates and engineers who have gained experience within Inria.

Inria also guarantees an individualized relationship with its SME partners through personalized meetings with its partnership and innovation project managers at each of its centers. At the same time, a nationwide dynamic will be implemented through annual meetings offered to all of the members.

Reinforcing the competitiveness of the French and European economy

With this club, the Institute comes even closer to innovative SMEs. The creation of the "Inria partner SME Club" responds to a priority set by the Institute: strengthen technology transfers to innovative SMEs, recognized as being an essential element of the competitiveness of the French and European economy.

Keywords: SME Transfer Innovation Partnership SME Club Bruno Sportisse ICST Public research Calls for proposals Recent graduates