INNOVATION BOOSTER PARKS
About this good practice
Located close to university or school campuses, resource centers such as research laboratories or technology transfer platforms, and companies that are receptive to the Innovation Park approach, the park is situated in a high-stake urban development sector.
The vocation of an innovation park is to encourage the emergence of innovative projects: this is why it provides project leaders, start-ups and innovative companies with a package of services combining reception and accommodation, incubation/acceleration support, animation and promotion, as well as local governance backed up by regional coordination.
Each park brings together a local authority and an economic operator capable of implementing startup emergence and support. Each region is free to pair up with the structure it wishes. There is a range of models, from companies to associations to local authorities themselves.
To set up an Innovation Park program, the pair must also choose a specialization theme: mobility, materials, digital or cultural and creative industries, for example.
The program is financed by both the regional council and the local authority, as well as by local companies wishing to participate in local development.
Expert opinion
Resources needed
An effective policy requires a regional regulatory framework ensuring coherence and fair access for entrepreneurs. It also relies on local structures to support project leaders. Finally, it needs public and private funding to sustain incubation and facilitate market access for innovations
Evidence of success
The results achieved in 2023 demonstrate the effectiveness of this innovation and entrepreneurship policy. In total, the innovation parks identified 353 pre-incubation projects, supported 404 entrepreneurial initiatives, facilitated the creation of 109 new businesses, and accelerated the growth of 169 existing companies. These figures highlight the concrete impact of the program, from talent scouting and idea generation to business development and the scaling of innovations.
Potential for learning or transfer
The implementation of an effective innovation park policy relies on several key resources. First, it requires a regional regulatory framework led by the Regional Council, ensuring the coherence of the system, transparency of information, and fair access for entrepreneurs across the entire territory. Second, it involves a local organization that mobilizes specific expertise to identify project leaders and support them in developing their entrepreneurial skills. Finally, this policy requires financial resources combining public funding (both regional and local) and private contributions from local businesses to support incubation programs and facilitate market access for innovations.
Further information
Good practice owner
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