JGDE. You manage the competitiveness cluster Images & Networks. Can you remind us what a competitiveness cluster is and what is the specificity of yours?
Gérard Le Bihan. The main objective of the clusters since 2005 is the economic development of a territory (Bretagne and Pays de la Loire) on a given theme (digital and its uses) through enhanced collaboration between industrial players (large groups and SMEs) and academic (public laboratories and schools / universities). We are a catalyst for this collaboration through our collaborative R&D projects, as well as support towards the product plant in subsidiarity with other structures.
JGDE. You have identified six areas of excellence, can you present them to us?
GLB. We have deliberately chosen areas that highlight our expertise on major digital technologies. Our territory, particularly Bretagne (2/3 of our members), is fortunate to have in all these fields of world-class industrial and academic forces. Whether on the «Networks and Internet of objects» (with the 5G, the optics of connected objects), «Multimedia and Big Data» (new formats of images and sound, artificial intelligence), «confidence digital reality «(Cyber security),» mixed realities «(virtual reality / augmented reality …),» software «(information systems, embedded systems, tools; we have research teams and we have added a more «disruptive» dimension to the «collaborative producer user», in anticipation of the arrival of collaborative platforms that upset the economic models. In the objective of the product factory and our vision of a digital society, we work in 4 priority, but non-exclusive markets in relation to the regional S3: intelligent home and building / smart housing, e-health, e-education.
JGDE. The cluster has an Agenda 21 and a Sustainable Development steering committee. What does this approach bring?
GLB. Our Sustainable Development reflection allowed us to work on the dimension of R&D projects with consideration of labeling criteria. Real innovations have emerged as projects around green software with the creation of startups. On the societal dimension, we have been able to fuel strategic thinking (for example, our priority markets). Smart Grids, a case in which digital technologies have been used, have become a focal point: involvement in the interpole «Smart Grid French Cluster» (which I have chaired for 2 years) and above all, a presence in the project strategic SMILE which makes our regions the spearhead of the deployments in full size of the French solutions SG. For the cluster, in addition to the recognition of competencies, it is an axis of development and an affirmation of a societal commitment. On the HR dimension, we have contributed to the setting up of NUMERIFEMMES in Bretagne, which aims to strengthen the position of women in the digital business and contribute to the training of women in the digitisation of their professions.
JGDE. The international dimension is not forgotten and you regularly relay calls for projects to trigger European funding. Do you offer specific support tools?
GLB. Our involvement in technology platforms on content (NEM) or on networks (networld2020) allows us to influence future calls for projects. Together with the other Breton clusters, a specific action to accompany SMEs towards European projects, «Growth in Europe» carried out by the technopoles, was launched in 2016 to raise awareness and prepare them for the Horizon 2020 program. Finally, we regularly label European projects and provide all necessary assistance for their construction.
JGDE. You go further by encouraging the opening to the international and export. What are your actions in this area?
GLB. We rely on our relationships with clusters in Europe and around the world and on support structures such as Bretagne Commerce International, which organises regional missions. The digital departments define with Business France and the DGE an annual plan of missions open to our members. Our 2 international clubs a year allow us to make the point on markets / technologies on regions of the world like this year the smart cities in Asia.
We also have international cooperation projects with B2B objectives such as ACTONS with Quebec (digital cross / health).
JGDE. Images & Network has an «International» club and an «Economic Development» club. Who can join and what services do you offer?
GLB. All our members are de facto members of these clubs. They also participate in the support structures (for example, for international players such as BCI or the French Counselors for Foreign Trade). This club is a place of exchange and information on the markets. For the economic development club, we associate «partners», support firms validated by our SME administrators and technopoles, which, through a premium offer for our members, help them in their development.
JGDE. Can you show us some success stories from the center?
GLB. There’s of course a lot to start with the 21 startups from more than 260 completed projects. I would cite Télécom Santé which has known through its membership, benefit from a full range of services of the cluster: collaborative projects «SMEs», access to the public markets of the club «dev eco», Pass French Tech in 2015 renewed in 2016. Other example of a Breton ETI, MVG, which has developed diversification towards 4G terminals for ships through an FUI project. In the field of media processing, the 4EVER project which has advanced international standards in the field of image coding.
JGDE. The cluster is the operator of the Grand Ouest for French Tech. What is it all about?
GLB. We operate this Pass for the 7 French Tech of the territory to identify and support hyper-growth companies in the sectors of the digital or the industry of premium way to the services of 5 public partners of the device. I & R organises the selection of SMEs with a jury of experts and helps to develop a one-year action plan with the partners to allow startups / SMEs to further boost their dynamics.
