SOCIETE PUBLIQUE REGIONALE DES PAYS DE LA LOIRE

Their core work

SOLUTIONS&co is the regional development and innovation agency for Pays de la Loire (western France), operating as a node of the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN). Their core activity is helping SMEs improve their innovation management capacity, access EU funding instruments like the SME Instrument, and connect with international partners. They also engage in regional energy policy through participation in ocean energy initiatives, reflecting the Atlantic coastal region's strategic interest in marine renewables.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Their earliest involvement (2017) included both ocean energy coordination through OCEANERA-NET COFUND and the start of their EEN innovation support mandate. Over time, the ocean energy work faded and their focus consolidated entirely around SME innovation management and EEN service delivery. The keyword shift from specific terms like 'KAM' and 'EIMC' toward broader 'SME' and 'innovation management' suggests a maturing, generalist regional support role rather than deepening technical specialization.

Moving toward a pure regional innovation intermediary role, increasingly focused on broad SME support rather than sector-specific energy research.

How they like to work

SOLUTIONS&co operates exclusively as a participant or third party — they have never coordinated an H2020 project. With 11 unique partners across 6 countries, they maintain a moderate network typical of EEN consortia that group regional agencies across Europe. Their role is that of a regional relay point rather than a project driver, making them a reliable but passive consortium member.

Connected to 11 partners across 6 countries, primarily through EEN consortium structures. Their network reflects the standard EEN geographic spread across Western Europe rather than deep bilateral research partnerships.

What sets them apart

Their value lies in being the official gateway to the SME ecosystem in Pays de la Loire — one of France's strongest industrial and maritime regions (Nantes, Saint-Nazaire shipyards, Atlantic coast). For anyone needing to reach French SMEs in western France or validate market interest for a technology, they are the institutional contact point. Their ocean energy connection also positions them as a bridge between marine renewable research and regional industry.

Highlights from their portfolio

• OCEANERA-NET COFUND
  Their only non-EEN project, connecting them to the European ocean energy research funding landscape — a rare thematic involvement for a regional agency.
• EEN OUEST H2020
  Three consecutive iterations (2017-2021) demonstrate sustained commitment as an EEN node, with the final period being their only project receiving direct EC funding (EUR 74,165).