Philippe Combette: between PUI and competitiveness clusters, an unprecedented partnership to "chart a common course".
On Monday April 7, the Montpellier University Innovation Clustersupported by the University of Montpellier, and the region's seven competitive clusters signed their very first partnership agreements. The aim is to strengthen synergies between the worlds of research and socio-economics, and boost the arrival of start-ups on the market. For Philippe Combette, Vice-President of the University of Montpellier in charge of partnerships and innovation, "there will be a before and an after".
The Pôle Universitaire d'Innovation has just signed a partnership agreement with Montpellier's seven competitive clusters. In a few words, what's at stake?
Through this partnership agreement, we are connecting the heart of deeptech research to the ecosystem that surrounds us. We have the academic research, the laboratories, the platforms... But as part of the missions of the Pôle universitaire d'innovation (PUI), we need to encourage exchanges between the academic world and the socio-economic world. From now on, the competitiveness clusters will be contributing their expertise and networks. Aerospace valley (around aerospace), Aqua-valley (around water), Agri sud-ouest innovation (around agriculture)... Each cluster has been chosen in direct connection with the themes addressed by Montpellier's PUI. And through the creation of jobs and values that we are aiming for together, this partnership will enable us to be in direct contact with the citizens of Montpellier.
In practical terms, how will this work?
In practical terms, each cluster has agreed to take part in innovation awareness initiatives. We will also agree to jointly promote the key events and dates of the competitiveness clusters and the PUI. In addition, during the pre-creation phase, our projects will be eligible for cluster membership.
For the PUI, the key is to successfully bring laboratory projects into orbit, and then to bring in projects from outside the region based on the needs of local players.
It's very interesting for a young company to be able to benefit from the advantages of a competitive cluster, whether in terms of expertise, file follow-up, support or network access. This is essential. For us, this partnership is a powerful act. It's a foundation for the region. Each will become the other's ambassador.
There were links, but they were neither structured nor structuring. There was no collective strategy. Today, we believe that this marriage will enable us to chart a common course.
What will your priorities be?
The PUI's founding members had already defined thematic roadmaps. These were designed to improve internal coordination, and now we're adding more people to the highway! For example, we are prioritizing digital health, vines and wine, water, oncology... As part of this partnership, the PUI's lead partner is committed to inviting the cluster concerned to meetings to monitor these roadmaps, and through their vision of the sector, they too will feed into these key areas.
Ultimately, the aim is to boost the region's industrial dynamism. Do you have any quantified ambitions?
Yes, we're going to set up quantified indicators to assess the number of company start-ups, the number of collaborative research contracts, and the number of technology transfers... There will be a before and an after. I really have the feeling that this will bring even more energy and fuel.
The aim is also to strengthen the region's expertise on a national and international scale. Does the international political instability and Donald Trump's trade war prompt you to think differently?
Absolutely, and particularly in terms of industrial sovereignty. Given the current situation, this connection between competitiveness clusters and the academic world seems more necessary than ever. As is the recognition of territories on a local and European scale. Industrial habits are going to change, and PUIs need to be part of this dynamic.
