SATT Aquitaine Science Transfert

SATT Aquitaine Science Transfert
Name	SATT Aquitaine Science Transfert
Type	Technology transfer company
Founded	2012
Headquarters	Bordeaux, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Area served	Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France
Industry	Technology transfer, innovation

SATT Aquitaine Science Transfert is a French technology transfer company created to accelerate the maturation and valorization of publicly funded research. It operates within the regional innovation ecosystem linking universities, research organizations, and industry partners to facilitate technology transfer from laboratories to market-ready ventures. The company works with academic institutions, private investors, and public authorities to manage intellectual property, support startup creation, and license technologies.

History

SATT Aquitaine Science Transfert was established in 2012 following national reforms that created France’s Société d’accélération du transfert de technologies network alongside institutions such as SATT Paris-Saclay, SATT AxLR, and SATT Ouest Valorisation. Its creation involved collaboration among regional research stakeholders including Université de Bordeaux, CNRS, INRIA, INRAE, and Bordeaux INP. Early milestones mirrored national initiatives tied to the Programme des investissements d’avenir and interacted with regional bodies like Région Nouvelle-Aquitaine and economic development agencies such as Agence France Entrepreneur and Bpifrance. Over time it adapted to policy shifts influenced by European initiatives like Horizon 2020 and national frameworks such as the Loi relative à l'enseignement supérieur et à la recherche (2013), expanding its mandate through partnerships with institutions including CHU de Bordeaux and research units affiliated with Inserm.

Mission and Objectives

The core mission aligns with objectives found across technology transfer organizations including advancing intellectual property protection, fostering start-up creation, and licensing to industrial partners such as multinational firms and ETIs. It aims to bridge academic research from laboratories such as those associated with Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour and Bordeaux Montaigne University to market through proof-of-concept funding, de-risking, and business development support. Strategic objectives echo priorities in European research policy set by European Commission directorates and regional innovation strategies led by Conseil régional de Nouvelle-Aquitaine.

Organizational Structure and Governance

Governance follows models used by peers like SATT Aquitaine predecessors and sister SATTs, featuring a board including representatives from founding institutions such as Université de Bordeaux, CNRS, INRIA, Inserm, and regional authorities like Métropole de Bordeaux. Executive leadership liaises with scientific committees and technology managers who coordinate with unit heads at partner laboratories including I2M Bordeaux and CRCT. Oversight mechanisms are influenced by national guidelines coordinated with entities like Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation (France) and are comparable to governance structures in organizations such as CentraleSupélec valorization offices and Université Paris-Saclay technology transfer units.

Activities and Services

Services encompass evaluation of inventions, patent strategy, prototype funding, market analysis, and negotiation of licenses and collaboration agreements with private sector actors including Sanofi, Dassault Systèmes, and regional SMEs. Support for entrepreneurial initiatives includes incubation, acceleration, investor introductions involving Business Angels networks, and participation in equity rounds with partners like Bpifrance and venture funds tied to French innovation clusters such as French Tech. It organizes training and capacity-building with stakeholders from institutions like Ecole des Mines d'Albi-Carmaux and connects researchers to international programs such as EUREKA and Eurostars.

Technology Portfolio and Notable Projects

The portfolio spans life sciences, digital technologies, materials science, and environmental technologies with projects originating in labs such as Bordeaux Neurocampus and Forest Genetics Laboratory collaborations linked to INRAE. Notable projects include translational efforts in therapeutics, medtech devices, precision agriculture technologies, and advanced materials validated through partnerships with industrial players including Airbus, Thales, and regional agritech companies. Projects have been pitched at events like VivaTech and evaluated within frameworks similar to European Innovation Council assessments.

Funding and Partnerships

Funding sources combine regional and national grants from programs such as Investments for the Future and direct support from partners including Région Nouvelle-Aquitaine, competitive clusters like Aquitaine Active, and national investors such as Bpifrance. Strategic partnerships include collaborations with higher education institutions like Sciences Po Bordeaux, research organizations such as CNRS and INSERM, and corporate alliances with multinationals and SMEs across sectors. International interactions have involved Horizon Europe consortia, bilateral research collaborations, and connections to investor networks in cities like Paris, Lyon, and Toulouse.

Impact and Metrics

Impact is measured by indicators common to valorization agencies: number of patents filed, licenses executed with firms including Sanofi and regional SMEs, startups created, jobs generated, and follow-on financing secured from investors such as Bpifrance and private venture funds. Outcomes feed into regional innovation metrics reported by Région Nouvelle-Aquitaine and national assessments by Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation (France), with contributions visible in the growth of technology-based firms and enhanced collaboration between laboratories like University of Bordeaux Laboratory of Mathematics and industrial partners.

Category:Technology transfer organizations in France