Private Initiatives and Services
Business centres
CEO Europe
Cicom Organisation

The Incubator for PACA-EST (Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Region)
The Incubator for PACA-Est has been operational since January 2001 and it is one of the 29 establishments of this type that the “ Innovation law ” allowed to come to being (voted in July 1999). Universities and research organizations have been able to create structures with the aim of aiding and supporting technology projects at their inception. The Incubator, which is set up in Nice, Sophia Antipolis, and Toulon, has 5 founder members: the University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis (UNSA), the University of Southern Toulon and the Var( USTV), the Institute of Computer Research and Automation (INRIA), the Alpes-Maritimes General Council and the General Council of the Var. It is also backed by the French Research Ministry, the European Social Fund, the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Region Council, the Nice University Hospital (CHU), the National Agronomy Resarch Institute (INRA), the French National Institute for Health and Medical Research (INSERM), the local urban authorities, the Chamber and Commerce and Industry of the Var, Texas Instruments, the Telecom Valley Association and the Côte d'Azur Hi Tech Club.

The role of the Incubator, led by Géraldine Quetin, is to identify and then to provide support for innovative projects showing the different types of financial aid available (including for training) by providing access to the pluridisciplinary knowledge network (scientific, technical, financial, industrial and administrative) and by making sure that the project comes to fruition in the form of a new company at the end of the incubation period (maximum 24 months). Each project must have a link –origin or backing of-, with academic research.
Website: www.pacaest.com.

Club Sophia Start Up
This association brings together private individuals with projects (scientists, students, researchers, engineers, teachers etc.), start-ups, companies, financial organisations, consultants and representatives from local authorities, or other various institutions. Dominique Pouliquen, from REALVIZ company is the association’s president.
The Club collects and distributes information, develops propositions to collaborate on projects, encourages contacts between companies, organises and takes part in forums and colloquia, etc. The club also organises monthly meetings and themed breakfasts.
www.sophia-startup.com

INRIA (National Institute of Computer Research and Automation)
Created in 1983 the INRIA research unit in Sophia Antipolis brings together 29 research teams, of which 8 work in partnership with universities, institutes and research laboratories. INRIA operates a dynamic policy in the area of technological transfer. The result of this can be seen, for example, through the starting up of technology companies that were created thanks to the Institute and now industrialise prototypes of products from research prototypes and spread the expertise of the Institute. www.inria.fr

The Institut Eurécom
Eurécom’s strategy is to provide technical expertise and know-how to start-ups. Eurécom’s support is far from being limited to material assistance (such as desks, computer equipment…) and teaching staff, Institut Eurécom above all, strengthens the technical aspects of the project.
Eurécom takes an interest in each company, the percentage of which varies from one company to another but it never exceeds 10% of the equity. Even with this minimal interest, Eurécom only takes interest in realistic projects. When asked about the possibility of “ brain drain ” of teachers associated with the creation of start-ups, Ulrich Finger, the director of the Institute, points out that the strategy of Eurécom is to free up time during the take off period of start-up companies. By purposefully limiting the number of start-ups “ housed ” by the Institute to three, the demand and therefore the risk is reduced. The main thing is to create an impetus, which is beneficial to students, researchers, teachers and partners alike. www.eurecom.fr

The International Venture Capital Summit (I.V.C.S.)
Each year the IVCS attracts financial and industrial investors, bankers, business angels, capital risk investors, and companies looking for potential partners. The organisers of the summit select 40 entrepreneurs who unveil their projects and their business plans before potential investors. The private and public partners at the summit are the French Riveria Chamber of Commerce, the Alpes-Maritimes General Council, the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Regional Council, Côte d'Azur Développement, the Atelier de l'Innovation, Deloitte & Touche, the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations and the Siparex Group. www.ivcs.org

Sophia Euro Lab
With 60 millions Francs and situated at the Fondation de Sophia Antipolis, the start up incubation fund Sophia Euro Lab was created at the instigation of the CDC PME, the Bayerische Landesbank (Germany), Johnson Paradigm Ventures (Luxembourg) and the Fondation Sophia Antipolis. Sophia Euro Lab will take part in the seed-financing phase for start-ups up to 2.5 MF per dossier. Initiatives emanating from Sophia Antipolis will be favoured but Sophia Euro Lab will look at projects from neighbouring areas. Dossiers for expansion, outsourcing of industrial activities, or individual initiatives will also be considered for incubation funds.
Contact: Pierre Taillardat – Director of Sophia Euro Lab - pit@sophia-antipolis.org

Private Initiatives and Offers of ServicesBusiness centres

Business centres
There are many business centres in Sophia Antipolis. See the list.

CEO Europe
This company provides young companies with flexible human resources at each stage of their evolution. Temporary executives are recruited for various assignments to bring their enthusiasm as a business creator and their experience as corporate manager. Their task is to pilot or co-pilot the company. www.ceo-europe.com

CICOM Organisation
CICOM manages the Business and Innovation Centre in the same way as an incubator and offers its services to start-ups and strong growth companies specialised in Information Technology, in the process of being set up or relocated.
Email: cicom@cicom.fr - Web: www.cicom.fr