MIL OSI Translation. French Polynesian to English –
Source: Government of New Caledonia
Vaimu’a Muliava, member of the government in charge of technological innovation and digital transition, and Mickaël Forrest, member of the government in charge of culture, youth and actions in favor of solidarity, signed a partnership agreement which links New Caledonia to the Vanuatu Innovation and Digital Economy Association (IDEA), represented by its president Marc Gérard. A significant new step in their mutual commitment to innovation, by establishing a framework for the reception and exchange of startups in New Caledonia and Vanuatu.
This signature is a continuation of the regional cooperation mission of December 2023, during which a New Caledonian delegation, led by the member of the government responsible for technological innovation, met the actors of the Vanuatu ecosystem in Port -Vila. The convention thus reaffirms their mutual commitment to strengthen their collaboration in favor of innovation, socio-economic development and regional cooperation.
“It’s a reciprocal and pragmatic agreement,” said Marc Gérard. It will be done through the provision of connected places, will allow the creation of synergies to reach another scale thanks to the sharing of skills, knowledge and experiences. It is an opportunity to be less self-centered and to work better together for the good of our populations and in particular our entrepreneurs.”
Commitments and synergies
This agreement between New Caledonia and the Vanuatu IDEA association, as well as the emblematic totem places of innovation that are Station N and Yumiwork, aims to regulate the reception and exchange of startups in each of the two territories, facilitating thus their access to a range of resources, extensive networks and unifying infrastructures.
This partnership aims to stimulate the entrepreneurial ecosystem by encouraging knowledge sharing and supporting socio-economic growth through innovation. This exchange will provide startups with the tools necessary to grow, while promoting enriching interactions within the respective local ecosystems.
“This partnership is part of a long tradition of networking in the Pacific Islands,” assured Vaimu’a Muliava. We must discuss with our closest neighbors to see what is possible to do together and to collectively respond to the challenges of our time. A partnership with Vanuatu makes good sense. This territory, which knows how to do a lot with a little, can teach us a lot.”
Strategic Impact
This framework agreement represents a crucial milestone for New Caledonia and Vanuatu and highlights their crucial role in the field of innovation.
“This signing is a real opportunity for the two territories to develop their cooperation, as well as major sectors for the region such as innovation and technology,” said Mickaël Forrest. We can clearly see all the economic potential that this can generate, at a time when our country is asking questions about its nickel resource. This offers other perspectives and it is therefore important to be able to accompany and support this type of initiative.”
It will be the means of strengthening and boosting the New Caledonian innovation ecosystem, like the partnership established in September 2023 with Outre-Mer Network (OMN), which opens the doors to an extensive international network for New Caledonian startups. , particularly in connection with the programs and infrastructures of Station F, personalized support programs, financial and logistical support and increased international visibility. This partnership with OMN represents a unique opportunity for participants to develop their skills, expand their network and propel their projects within innovation networks.
Outre-Mer Network and its Innovation Outre-Mer competition embody the commitment to excellence and progress in overseas territories.
Outlook
As part of expanding its ambitions in terms of international cooperation and innovation, New Caledonia is opening up new promising perspectives beyond the partnership with Vanuatu.
Indeed, an extended agreement which will include the AI Station in Aichi prefecture in Japan, TVT Innovation and System Factory in Toulon is currently being finalized. This initiative aims to create a global network of exchange and collaboration between innovation ecosystems, promoting an even richer sharing of knowledge, technologies and resources.
This step forward not only represents an exceptional opportunity for New Caledonian startups to engage on the global stage, but also for New Caledonia to become a hub of innovation, attracting ideas, talents and international investments.
Focus on future partner innovation structures
AI Station – Aichi Prefecture, Japan
Station AI is a leading innovation hub located in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. It is dedicated to research and development in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). As a catalyst for technological progress, Station AI brings together researchers, startups and companies around ambitious projects in AI, robotics and advanced digital technologies. This innovation hub aims to accelerate the application of AI in various industrial sectors, fostering a collaborative environment for experimentation, project incubation and knowledge transfer. Through an extensive network of academic and commercial partners, Station AI is at the heart of Japan’s efforts to position itself as a global leader in artificial intelligence technology.
TVT Innovation – Toulon, France
TVT Innovation is a reference structure for the support and development of innovation in the Toulon region, in France. With a rich and diverse ecosystem, TVT Innovation supports entrepreneurs and companies in carrying out their innovative projects, offering services ranging from startup incubation to networking with investors, including access to coworking spaces and specialized training programs. As a key player in local economic development, TVT Innovation plays an essential role in boosting the regional entrepreneurial fabric, with a focus on cutting-edge sectors such as digital, renewable energies and biotechnology.
System Factory – Toulon, France
Integrated into the agreement with TVT Innovation, System Factory is a cluster dedicated to innovation in complex systems, bringing together skills in robotics, mechatronics and embedded systems. This collaborative platform aims to stimulate industrial and technological innovation, facilitating the development of transversal projects and the sharing of know-how between members. System Factory strengthens TVT Innovation’s offering by creating a bridge between research, technological development and the market, thus helping to position Toulon as a center of excellence in systemic innovation and advanced technologies.
Overseas Network (OMN) – Paris
OMN is a key initiative intended to boost and support innovation in overseas territories. The organization works to network entrepreneurs, investors and partners on an international scale, thus promoting the emergence of innovative projects and the economic development of overseas territories. Through incubation, acceleration and tailor-made support programs, OMN is committed to supporting overseas startups in their growth and expansion. OMN opens its network, support programs and Station F infrastructures to startups and innovative companies.
The Overseas Innovation competition represents an essential component of OMN’s mission, offering a platform of visibility and recognition to the most promising projects in overseas territories. This annual competition highlights landmark innovations and supports entrepreneurs in realizing their ambitions, providing them with access to key resources, financing opportunities and a national and international network. Participants also benefit from significant media exposure and the chance to present their projects to key players in the global innovation ecosystem.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.
