The IRC Network – Europe’s Top Innovation Professionals

Innovation Relay Centre Stuttgart - Erfurt - Zürich

Steinbeis-Europa-Zentrum (SEZ) has been consortium leader of the IRC Stuttgart - Erfurt - Zürich, which was the Innovation Relay Centre for Southern Germany and the German speaking part of Switzerland with two consortium partners – THÜRINGEN innovativ GmbH and Euresearch in Zürich.

The Europe-wide network of Innovation Relay Centres (IRC) primarily served smaller companies with technologies or know-how to sell abroad or with technological needs which they are unable to meet in their own countries. It has grown steadily in size and strength during the 13 years of its existence. It finally comprised 71 consortia in 33 countries and has therewith been the world’s largest network for technology transfer.

Functioning as a single transnational organisation, over 1,000 expert consultants in innovation and technology transfer in 250 networked local offices have helped to bring to completion more than 7,000 licensing or technical co-operation deals between partners in different European countries. The experts covered 15 major industrial sectors.

History of the Network

The first IRCs were established in 1995 with the support of the European Commission, as members of an integrated pan-European platform to stimulate transnational technology transfer and promote innovation services. At the end of their run time, 71 IRCs covered a wider geographical area than any other technology transfer network in the world. Their success in stimulating transnational technology transfer – based on brand recognition, close links with enterprises and universities and the effectiveness of the tools and procedures developed by the network – was unique.

Most IRCs were operated by consortia of regional organisations with established reputations in local research and industrial communities. These included innovation agencies, Chambers of Commerce, regional development agencies and university technology centres. Altogether, almost 250 partner organisations were involved, ensuring a local presence in most regions of Europe. IRC staff – a total of nearly 1,000 – were experienced specialists with backgrounds in business, industry and research.

Since spring 2008, the network has entered a new era: under the name Enterprise Europe Network it is combining the strengths and services of the former Innovation Relay Centres and Euro Info Centers. SEZ is continuing to offer the services already provided as Innovation Relay Centre. Additionally, information regarding European innovation policies in relevant areas is offered.