Floralis, the Grenoble based technology transfer company, accepts prestigious award at Arsenal Stadium, London.

Floralis, the private technology transfer subsidiary of the University Joseph Fourier accepted a reward for its place in the coveted Deloitte Fast 500 programme, for the second consecutive year, at Arsenal Stadium, London, last Thursday, the 25th November. This prestigious awards programme rewards the top 500 performing companies in the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) region.

The prizes are rewarded in relation to the growth rate of the companies in terms of turnover over a period of 5 years (2005-2009). Floralis is ranked 408th with a growth rate of 437% reported during this period. The back to back wins in the Fast 500 (Floralis was awarded a place in the 2009 awards as well) demonstrate the efficiency of the company’s model and underlines a strong financial performance in what has been a difficult economic climate. Floralis was also chosen to select France in the HSBC European Business Awards, earlier this year.

“Being one of the fastest growing technology companies in EMEA is an impressive accomplishment. We commend Floralis for making the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 EMEA with a phenomenal 833% in 2009 and  437% in 2010” said David Halstead, Deloitte United Kingdom and partner in charge of the Deloitte Technology Fast 5OO EMEA programme.

An approach that stands out from the crowd

Being the private subsidiary of the University Joseph Fourier, Floralis finds itself sandwiched between the two very different worlds of the public and private sector. This rather unique set-up has proven advantageous in the sense that the company’s private status can both facilitate administrational processes and relationships with Industry. However, it also means that Floralis has not been able to count on public funding in order to manage its technology transfer projects; and the current strategy, one based on entrepreneurialism and self-sufficiency, was as much borne out of necessity as a need to be efficient.

The model is proof; therefore, that dependence on public funding is not a necessity when it comes to technology transfer. Relying primarily on an initial capital investment of 1.5m€; Floralis has, in the last 6 years:

• Launched two start-ups via its Business Unit programme, with a further three scheduled for creation in 2011 (with seven more Business Units being groomed for company creation at a later date).
• Proven its value as a driver for the local economy, with over 150 jobs created since its creation.
• Re-invested 4.7% of all revenues into R&D, enabling more projects to be developed and completing a “virtuous circle” that ensures money raised from technology transfer related projects helps to sustain new and future projects.
• Put in place more than 500 collaborative research contracts with Industry;  generating revenue that has helped sustain growth in other areas, and raise the profile of Grenoble within national and international business environments.
• Put in place commercial programmes to stimulate economic growth: Floralis currently sells its products direct to over 27 countries worldwide and is currently negotiating 20 new licence agreements with Industry.

Eric Larrey, Managing Director of Floralis stated: “We are delighted to have won back-to-back wins in the Deloitte Fast 500 awards programme. The awards highlight the huge strides Floralis has made in the last 6 years, but also demonstrate the strength of the research that emanates from our parent organization, the University Joseph Fourier. We have grown from strength to strength, in what can only be described as a highly difficult economic environment and this exceptional performance can be attributed both to the dynamic team we have put in place and a highly original and efficient business model”.