The SATT Network—an association that brings together SATTs (Société d’Accélération du Transfert de Technologies, or Technology Transfer Acceleration Companies), whose mission is to ensure the transfer of technologies from academic research to companies in France—offers a new tool to large groups and mid-sized companies to facilitate their open innovation efforts. SANOFI and Spie Batignolles have already benefited from the SATT Network's comprehensive support in this area.
Manufacturers facing the challenges of innovation
To remain competitive and attractive, French companies must break away from their traditional operating models, become more agile, and open up to their environment. Faced with global competition and a multitude of available technologies, seeking out technological opportunities is a key strategic tool for staying one step ahead. However, large corporations and mid-sized companies may lack the time, experience, and knowledge necessary to be effective.
The unique expertise of the SATT Network at the service of large corporations and mid-sized companies
The technology scouting service developed by the SATT Network since 2017 aims to facilitate this process and support companies in their technological solutions. The SATT Network provides them with its expertise in academic innovation, offering access to 70% of French public research in all scientific fields and industrial sectors, as well as its in-depth knowledge of the regional and national innovation ecosystem.
A single point of contact supports them at every stage of the process:
● Drawing up specifications setting out the issues and the desired scope of analysis,
● Researching, identifying, and analyzing existing opportunities and innovations in the targeted field in coordination with the 13 SATTs in the network.
● Production of a specific and operational summary providing an overview of available technologies according to three levels of maturity: upstream technologies, mature technologies resulting from maturation projects funded by SATTs, and start-ups.
Already very promising feedback
Proof of the effectiveness of the system, several scouting operations have already been successfully carried out in various industrial sectors, notably with SANOFI, Spie batignolles, and Bpifrance.
In line with its strategy, Spie batignolles wanted to accelerate open innovation within the Group. "The technology search operation within the SATT network was launched in consultation with Bpifrance – Le Hub in February 2018. We are extremely satisfied with the results! Two months after the start of our collaboration, more than 50 technologies were proposed to us and 14 were presented in detail. In addition, fruitful exchanges with SATT experts also helped stimulate innovation within the various entities of Spie batignolles!" comments Angela Sulpizio, CSR Manager at Spie batignolles. "In the end, we selected four technologies for which we are currently finalizing agreements in order to take things further," she adds.
Our scouting service gives large corporations and mid-sized companies visibility into more than 11,600 qualified technologies, 1,900 maturation projects, and 2,600 patents. Whether for monitoring purposes, to consolidate an R&D plan, to increase competitiveness, to deploy new products or services, or more simply for any innovation initiative, the SATT Network provides a tailored, targeted, and customized response," says Laurent Auret, Director of the Greentech Division at SATT Toulouse Tech Transfer and Member of the SATT Network. "We are currently considering adapting this offering to specifically address innovative microbusinesses/SMEs and even start-ups," he adds.
Further information on the scouting offer is available at: https://www.satt.fr/scouting-technologique/