After successfully helping the growth of some 50 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Canada and in France, the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) and Bpifrance are pleased to continue their collaborative support.

A renewed agreement was signed today in Montreal to benefit firms from both countries through technology partnerships. These partnerships include technology sourcing, transfer, and matching, or financial support for joint research projects to develop new products, processes, and services.

This collaboration is expected to generate economic benefits for both Canada and France. So far, projects in a variety of markets and technological areas have been supported, with investments valued at C$15 million.

Quick Facts

• NRC's relationship with Bpifrance and its predecessors dates back more than 20 years.
• The first Memorandum of Understanding was signed in 2008 with OSÉO and focused on four specific areas of cooperation: technological partnerships, competitive positioning, bulk projects in technology, and follow-up of innovation systems. 
• Bpifrance offers businesses a continuum of financing at each key stage of their development. Companies are supported through settlement and listing on the stock exchange in the form of credit, guarantees and funding.
• The National Research Council-Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP) is Canada's premier innovation assistance program for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It is a vital component of the NRC and a cornerstone in Canada's innovation system, regarded world-wide as one of the best programs of its kind.

Quotes

“Our government's number one priority is the economy and the creation of jobs and prosperity for Canadians. This renewed partnership between the National Research Council and Bpifrance will ensure continued economic benefits for small and medium-sized businesses while continuing to support the creation of jobs in Canada.”

Ed Holder, Minister of State (Science and Technology)

“International collaboration is a competitive business asset in today's economy. NRC is pleased to renew this agreement with Bpifrance to provide Canadian SMEs with the opportunity to grow globally and to develop technological innovations that will mutually benefit both our countries.”

Bogdan Ciobanu, Vice-President, National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program.

“We at Bpifrance believe that international cooperation is the way to propel French SMEs. It gives them new opportunities and opens up new markets. Thus, our excellent cooperation with NRC enables French SMEs to achieve this. In the frame of our renewed agreement with NRC, we will enhance further cooperation on an even wider basis, such as inter-cluster cooperation and opening up to non-technological innovation.”

Paul François Fournier, Executive Vice-president of the Innovation Division,Bpifrance