Support for SMEs

Technological support

IFP Energies nouvelles transfers the technology and expertise acquired in its business areas. Alternatively, IFP Energies nouvelles proposes R&D partnership agreements to help them develop and take to market innovative processes and products. Hence SMEs have access to IFP Energies nouvelles's technical resources, its expertise in more than 50 professions and its extensive network of academic and industrial partners. IFP Energies nouvelles also shares its expertise in intellectual property, project management and more widely in transferring research to industrial development.

This approach has the ultimate purpose of facilitating the companies' technological expertise. It essentially involves driving forward industrial development and developing the prototype required to ensure credibility with customers.

IFP Energies nouvelles's work with SMEs is carried out by regional representatives across France. They are responsible for explaining what IFP Energies nouvelles can offer innovative SMEs and local supporting corporate players. They investigate project feasibility and establish formal partnerships. Each year, around 400 new contacts are made with SMEs. As a result some fifty projects undergo technical and economic analysis, with between twenty and thirty of these leading to a partnership agreement.
>> contact a regional representative

Financial support

IFP Energies nouvelles also backs industrial innovation by financially supporting two investment funds specialized in eco-industries and eco-energies. IFP Energies nouvelles also provides them with its technical expertise in choosing the companies to support.

The 3E seed money fund (Emertec-Energy-Environment)
Created in 2003 by IFP Energies nouvelles, the Caisse des dépôts and the CEA (French Atomic Energy Commission), this fund is dedicated to new environmental technologies, targeting companies in the start-up stage.

The Demeter expansion capital fund
It is the first European fund to specialize in eco-industries (treatment of water, air, waste, site pollution abatement) and eco-energies. The fund was created in 2005 by the Caisse des dépôts (CDC Entreprises), IFP Energies nouvelles and Veolia Environnement.

The Demeter 2 expansion capital fund
Launched in 2009 by the founders of Demeter and new subscribers, this fund with a European scope is also linked to the eco-industries and eco-energies sectors. The new themes covered by Demeter 2 include regional development, sustainable construction and clean transport, in particular electric vehicles.

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