The virtuous circle of partnership synergies
From the organisation of exhibitions by MET as Lato Sensu proposed last May in the showroom of the UTC’s Daniel Thomas Innovation Centre to the annual gala of Étuville which was held May 25 in the Domaine de Montigny, the UTC associations develop entrepreneurial projects thanks to the economic partnerships of the area and the support, in particular of the Fondation UTC pour l’innovation.
The Fondation UTC pour l’innovation is a strategic mechanism for the promotion and development, support and acceleration of UTC projects, and an essential tool for cooperation with players in the socioeconomic world. ‘Patronage and sponsorship from local companies support the development of events, initiatives and innovative and entrepreneurial projects run by our students. This broadens the spectrum of our collaborations. It’s very interesting in terms of highlighting projects and accelerating their development. With partners such as Saint- Gobain, Sopra-Steria and the Crédit Agricole Brie Picardie foundation, we can quickly mobilise private funds,’ says Samuel Veillerette, director of partnerships and entrepreneurship at UTC, which interacts with the socio-economic world. Associations are the cement that binds UTC together. It’s part of its influence and part of the students’ training. It is very instructive in the field of project management’. Associations such as MET, Étuville and Junior UTC have grasped the importance of the support that UTC, through its Foundation, can provide for the pursuit of their projects.
The example of MET and Étuville
After a first exhibition of the multidisciplinary work of UTC students and alumni from November 10 to December 2, 2023 in the Innovation Centre showroom, the MET association, which stands for ‘On Monte une Exposition Temporaire’, repeated the experience last May with the opening of Lato Sensu. It’s a contribution to revitalising the Daniel Thomas Innovation Centre and to bringing art and technology together outside the centre,’ explains Manon Garcia, founder and president of MET, which invited artists from the UT group, including the UTT (Troyes University of Technology), the UTBM (Belfort-Montbéliard University of Technology) and UTC. For this second exhibition, we have improved the efficiency of the organisation with a better distribution of roles and responsibilities. We tested new materials and refined our technical knowledge. The initiative is gaining in visibility. We’d like to broaden the scope of our activities and, why not, hold an autumn exhibition in Compiègne town centre to attract outside visitors? With the development of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), a fund such as the Fondation UTC can support this type of project, which has a societal impact. Interactions with UTC partners are monitored and discussed within a Copil Entreprises at UTC, which brings together all the players in the UTC ecosystem, along with the UTC Foundation, UTeam, the Alumni, Iterra and the Student Office, to ensure synergy,’ explains Samuel Veillerette. The spectrum of corporate support for UTC is very broad. This enables them to develop their image and reputation.
Whether at the Château de Pierrefonds, the Chantilly racecourse or the Château de Compiègne, the UTC gala, organised every year by Étuville for the past twenty-five years, is a true professional event. The one held on May 25 at the Domaine de Montigny, which attracted more than 4 500 participants, illustrates the ambition of the projects carried out by the students. The sponsorship provided by companies to Étuville helps to encourage their initiatives,and to ensure the sustainability and professionalism of their work. Via Fondation UTC, a sponsor can also direct their donations towards entrepreneurship and the creation of start-ups,’ adds Samuel Veillerette. UTC is diversifying its resources to pursue its ambitions.
IL