Public-Funding Sources
Cap Digital works with a number of public agencies designated by the French Ministry of Industry and Finance to support and fund innovative research and industrial initiatives. The diagram below represents the correlation between the four principle public funding schemes and the development of different research initiatives. The vertical axis stands for project size while the horizontal axis spans its relevance to the market and to fundamental research.
source: AII
AII -
The Agency for Industrial Innovation was specifically created in August 2005 to facilitate the implementation of very large scale innovative projects focused on emerging new segments for eco-friendly transportation, fuel cells, bio-tech, smart homes, etc. It has been endowed with €1.7B (2006-2007).
OSEO -
The result of merging the former National Agency for Research Valorisation for SMEs (ANVAR), and the former SME Development Bank (BDPME) end 2004, OSEO focuses on providing technological advice and financial support for SMEs with innovative projects.
ANR -
Established in February 2005, the French national agency for research (l’Agence Nationale de la Recherche) focuses on large cooperative research projects within all scientific domains. The objective is to finance research teams on specific research themes, establishing a complement to the follow-on efforts of AII. For 2006, ANR is committed to providing funding aid estimated at €800 million to worthy projects lasting no more than four years.
DGE -
The General Directorate for Enterprise is in charge of fostering the competitive edge of French industrial and services companies, supported by its network of Regional Directorates for Industry, Research and Environment (DRIRE). It is empowered to finance projects for this purpose through direct subsidies from the Fund for Enterprise Competitiveness (FCE) worth €400 million.
Regional & District Councils -
Finally, the regional and district councils of IDF also play an important role in providing a large part of funding aid depending on the project and its actors. Not only are they cluster sponsors who contribute to the operational budgets of Cap Digital, they also contribute to the funding of accredited projects awarded the cluster’s label. These local authorities naturally give preference to projects which have a strong focus in their respective territories as a whole.