CORDIS Archive
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Equipped to Support Innovation
From April, the network will span all 31 European Union and Fifth Research Framework Programme Associated countries, offering small and medium-sized enterprises in each region access to technology suppliers, customers, licensees and research partners in every corner of Europe - and expert assistance to exchange technological know-how with them. The 68 Innovation Relay Centre (IRCs) employ sophisticated information management tools and proven SME support methodologies. They have also forged close links with technology-oriented SMEs and the academic knowledge base in their own regions, as well as with national business support networks. Working closely with other IRCs, they are therefore equipped to provide high-tech SMEs with a streamlined cross-border technology transfer service - a service which has already contributed to nearly 500 reported agreements for the exchange of technologies between partners from different countries. At the start of the network's second phase, the IRC Newsletter included in this edition of Innovation & Technology Transfer looks back at the achievements of the network's first four years. It also looks forward to the challenges and opportunities which face it as an integrated component of the rapidly developing professional European innovation support infrastructure.
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January 2000
t is now four years since the European Commission established the Innovation Relay Centre network.