PLUG N’WORK, managed the European Enterprise and Innovation Centre (referred to as the CEEI) is due to welcome its first start-ups this autumn. A short introduction to this “cocoon” which will welcome innovative projects to ensure them a firm foothold within the region’s business community.

In Colombelles, the Effiscience Science Park, reserved for innovative high-tech businesses is rapidly developing. A stone’s throw from the Innovaparc development, a group of business premises, the Plug n’Work project, is already welcoming technology-based businesses and is close to completion. “The complex comprises, over a surface area of 2,800m2, business premises and an incubator,” announces Mathieu Desramé, manager in charge of Synergia’s European Enterprise and Innovation Centre’s nautical and technological business incubators. “This property development aims at improving the “natality rate” of new businesses by offering them creation opportunities and by encouraging the development of renting businesses (increased sales, investment and employment). Finally, it should enable them to more rapidly reach their break-even point.”

The incubator targeting newly emerging businesses is in the very heart of Effiscience. Flexibility and adaptability are the key ingredients of its business offer: small modules ranging from 15 to 30m2 capable of welcoming both budding businesses and “project teams” reuniting laboratories working in partnership on a common theme in the field of interactive mobile devices. “There are also temporary offices, available for rent from a half-day to a weekly basis, providing a first base for businesses or consultants wishing to work in Caen on a temporary basis,” adds the incubator manager, “The building is designed to facilitate mobility.” The business premises will welcome more mature technological projects, offering the same comfort, but with a slightly more limited offer of services. Network wiring has been designed to adapt to business development. Plug n’Work will house a powerful server capable of storing computer data for its renting businesses and of offering shared IT tools and facilities. Indeed, the building’s basement has been specifically developed, secured and air-conditioned. It will be connected to the conurbation’s fibre optic network and will also link Plug n’Work to the Norlanda nautical incubator.

A propitious environment for success

The young start-ups, just like those with a few year’s experience, will also benefit from shared services: physical reception and telephone service, mail reception and stamping, photocopiers, rest facilities (television, kitchen, cafeteria, showers, resource centre…), meeting rooms (one of which is equipped with videoconferencing)… All located in the “crossroads” of the building complex and right next to the offices. And the icing on the cake: all offices are equipped with identical furnishings, ensuring a harmonious and hi-tech setting. A propitious environment for its own success.

It has taken two years to develop this project. “The time required to gauge the needs of local project initiators, to seek funding and to convince decision-makers of Plug n’Work’s feasibility,” explains the facility’s manager. The originality of this technological complex resides in Portage Immobilier*. Although Normandie Aménagement remains the proprietor of the business premises (two 450m2 plateaus and shared areas), the Etablissement Public Foncier de Normandie (EPFN) provides backing for the initial investment on behalf of the Caen la Mer urban community. However, at the end of the period of portage (a maximum of 5 years), Caen la Mer agrees to buy back the entire building. Synergia’s mission is to ensure the incubator’s management. “We are in charge of accompanying teams throughout their structuring phase and, if necessary, of helping to draw up their management charts or even to regularly monitor (quarterly) their treasury, for example,” adds Mathieu Desramé, “We will be employing someone to assist me, before the official opening.” All that the teams will then need to do is to effectively “plug in” and “work”!

* Portage immobilier: French programme for the redevelopment and refinancing of property via acquisition and/or renovation involving tax benefits for investors and advantageous operating costs for users.

Mathieu Desramé
Manager of the nautical (Norlanda) and technology (Plug n’Work) enterprise incubators.
Synergia
0231467373

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