IRC North - For technology transfer

As members of an extensive European network, IRCs connect local organisations in their regions to innovative capacity in other countries. We enable local companies to source the best available technologies to suit their needs from the best available suppliers. The network also provides a channel through which you can take your own technologies and know-how to new markets anywhere in Europe. By using the local knowledge and connections of more than 1,000 specialist staff across the IRC network, you can find the technology and business partners you need.

In total the network has almost 300 partner organisations involved across Europe. Each organisation involved in the network has an established reputation within their own region and country for providing specialist business and innovation support.

The network now covers a greater geographic area than any other technology transfer network in the world. Innovation Relay Centres (IRCs) facilitate the transfer of innovative technologies to and from European companies or research departments. The IRC network has become a leading European network for the promotion of technology transfer and partnerships mainly between small and medium size companies (SMEs).
 
As part of this extensive network of innovation specialists, we can help you reach a vast range of potential partners and the latest innovations in your market place.

The IRCs across Europe are linked by an efficient Internet-based database. This enables each IRC to:

- promote new products and technologies available for commercialisation from their individual regions to other organisations across the European network

- place requests for technologies and products that local organisations within their regions need, and to rapidly convey these requests across the network

The system also makes sure that only relevant organisations are approached when searching for suitable partners and technologies.