Public investment bank creates think tank

The French public investment bank BPIfrance has launched Le Lab, a think tank aimed at connecting academia and businesses.

The initiative, launched on 13 March, is particularly focused on the needs of small and medium-sized businesses. The think tank is led by a policy board comprising 17 members with expertise in areas such as business, intellectual property and economics. Nicolas Dufourcq, director-general of BPIfrance, is head of the board.

Meanwhile, BPIfrance has issued a call for proposals to give researchers access to unpublished data about small businesses in France. The call, which closes on 31 May, also gives applicants the chance to obtain funding for projects that would improve their understanding of small businesses.