Laval Mayenne Technopole's "Challenge Compétences" Programme Secures Final Spot in Nantes!

EBN’s mission to identify, celebrate, disseminate, and spotlight the most effective business support practices within the EU|BIC community will be on stage 13 June at the CIC Ouest’s, the venue for the EBN Congress 2024

The Final is here! After careful consideration from the Jury, Laval Mayenne Technopole, the French Member of the EU|BIC Community since 2012, is one of the 7 selected programmes to pitch on stage, this June in the final of the EU|BIC Excellence Awards: Most Impactful Programme.

The European Business & Innovation Centre Network (EBN), celebrating its 40th anniversary, aims to highlight the best practices within the EU|BICs.

EU|BIC Laval Mayenne Technopole identified concerns from SMEs of not being able to spark new initiatives and ideas withing the region. Similarly, students were unaware of local companies and left/were leaving the area for starting their careers after their studies. Challenge Compétences was born as a solution to both these challenges and a way to bridge the gap between students and local SMEs.

The challenge aims to bring together students and companies from Mayenne to promote development and innovation, enhance local skills, raise awareness of creativity and innovation among students, promote Mayenne companies and their innovations, and initiate projects within these companies.

Over a week, a team of 4 or 5 students visits a selected company. Companies are instructed not to submit a work topic to the students but rather let their fresh eyes and skills generate new ideas. Leveraging their unique perspective and set of skills the students then participate in creativity sessions to generate new ideas which will be developed, together with the company, into a pilot.

One of the key achievements of the Challenge Compétences programme is its impressive track record of supported projects. Over its 13 editions, they have participated with 954 students and 165 companies. These projects not only solve real-world business challenges but also offer invaluable hands-on experience for participants. That is why a quarter of all the participating companies repeat the following years.

The programme has significantly strengthened the regional innovation ecosystem. By fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders, more than 100 project ideas developed through the programme were brought to fruition by companies. This achievement underscores the programme’s role in nurturing talent and fostering innovation.

Another key achievement of Challenge Compétences is its impressive track record. Over its 13 editions, 954 students and 165 companies have participated.. These projects not only solved real-world business challenges but also offered invaluable hands-on experience for all participants. That is why a quarter of all the participating companies repeat the following years.

As the EBN Congress 2024 final approaches, excitement is building. This landmark event will bring together key players in innovation and business support. Laval Mayenne Technopole’s success in the Challenge Compétences programme highlights the importance of collaboration in driving regional innovation and economic development. Regardless of the outcome, their achievements stand as a testament to the effectiveness of innovation support programmes.

Stay tuned for the results and join us in celebrating the spirit of innovation at the EBN Congress 2024!

More about the EU|BIC — More about the programme