From 2000 to 2006, many of the region’s businesses and laboratories benefited from European funding. Without this support, many a project would never have seen the light. They share their experience.

« Without Europe, my SME would have been unable to invest in R&D »

Pascal Baisnée was far from short of ideas, in terms of research and development (R&D). However, they needed funding. Located in Saint-Lô, the European specialist in client relations solutions and services, CEV Group (app. 80 employees) is one of the members of the region’s Secure Electronic Transactions (SET) Competitiveness Cluster. (also referred to as the TES Cluster). “The problem was that we were looking to invest in R&D; we had lots of projects but we needed to find the time to explore new technologies and to observe markets. And time is precisely what’s lacking in SMEs,” recalls the company’s director. However, Pascal Baisnée rapidly got wind of European support for the recruitment ⁽¹⁾ of salaried workers devoted to R&D activities.

He consequently set to recruiting an engineer in order to develop a unit specialised in R&D. “Research is never instantaneous; it takes time before envisaging concrete application. However, it is essential for SMEs like ours, otherwise, we are rapidly outmoded or doomed for decline. But, R&D is also an extremely costly affair. Without such support, I would have had great trouble in maintaining this R&D unit, which has offered us the opportunity for introspection, to avoid technological rupture and to approach other professions, closely related to our own.”
Thanks to the 2000-2006 European funds, a small team was able to take form. And CEV is continuing its progression.

(1) For the 2000-2006, support was available for pure and simple recruitment; however, for the 2007-2013 period, European funding is available exclusively in support of recruitment towards feasibility studies for business innovation projects.

« European-supported pre-incubation has proved its worth »

The name is somewhat complex: EP2i. In fact, it stands for « Etape de Pré-Incubation et d’Innovation » (Pre-Incubation and Innovation Phase). In other words, a genuine tool for detecting and maturing innovative projects, upstream of existing incubation mechanisms. “There was a gap to be filled,” recalls Lionel Dupret, at the time director of Caen University’s SAIC (Industrial and Commercial Activities Service). “Experience with the incubator had demonstrated that the integration of insufficiently mature projects could lead to failure. Yet, no structured mechanism was in place, no institutional framework capable of accompanying the initial project gestation period. Project initiators needed to cope alone.”
Supported by several partners ⁽¹⁾, together with the EFDR for the 2000-2006 period, within the framework of the ATRACTIV ⁽²⁾ programme, EP2i has enabled nine projects to be developed (out of 14 applications received), four of which have been welcomed by ENSICAEN and five of which have benefited from support from the UCBN. In Lower Normandy, European-supported pre-incubation has consequently proved its worth.

(1) The project reunited the UCBN, the regional OSEO delegation and Normandie Incubation, in partnership with the State (DRRT - Regional Delegation for Research and Technology) and the Lower Normandy Regional Council.

(2) ATRACTIV (European Funded Regional Innovative Action Programme): innovative action programmes managed by the Regional Council.

• Europe invests in Lower Normandy
For “innovative projects with prospects for the future.”

• A 181 million Euro EFDR fund for innovation
Innovation, research and ICT are the priorities for the 2007-2013 period.

• Follow the footsteps of a funding application
The State and the Regional Council have joined forces to make life easier for you.

• Useful addresses
The names, telephone numbers and websites you need to know to tackle Europe.

Send post as PDF to