In 1995, the European Commission established the IRC network. From April 2004, it has consisted of 71 Innovation Relay Centres (IRCs) throughout Europe including the EU, Chile, Iceland, Israel, Norway, Switzerland and Turkey. These centres have been created in order to facilitate the transfer of innovative technologies to and from European companies or research departments. As a mover and shaker in innovation, the IRC network has become a leading European network for the promotion of technology partnerships and transfer mainly between small and medium-sized companies (SMEs).
The IRCs are innovation support service providers mainly hosted by public organisations such as university technology centres, chambers of commerce, regional development agencies or national innovation agencies. Most IRCs are set up as consortia. Each centre is staffed by personnel who have extensive knowledge of the technological and economic profile of the companies and regions they serve.
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