1. Identifying your innovation needs

First of all, it's important to clearly identify your need for innovation. Is it to solve a specific technical problem? Complete or develop a new offering? Diversify while retaining the same know-how? Link up with similar technical partners?

This preliminary step will guide your next steps, and help you answer the following questions:

• who are the right partners to meet your needs?

• which contractual structure is right for you?

• what financing options are available?

• When would you like a response to your request?

The remainder of this fact sheet focuses on links with academic laboratories, but it should not be forgotten that there are also private research companies, known as contract...