Sophia Antipolis has become a reference throughout Europe for Scientific
and Technological parks. Sophia’s principal vocations lay within
information technology (43%), life/ health science (10%), and earth science
(1%). Higher education and research holds (11%).
Sophia Antipolis is above all an immense crossroads between business,
research and teaching. Sophia Antipolis now hosts more than 1100 companies.
It is the most sought-after location in Europe today, especially by companies
in the information technology sector.
Companies
with foreign capital represents 12% of all firms which alone accounts
for more than 25% of the 24 000 jobs. Half of them are European and the
other half North American. One job out of four is hold by a non-French
person. 60% of the jobs are hold by men. Creative capacity, entrepreneurship
and innovative management methods are some of the key words for Sophia
Antipolis.
Sectors of
activities short overview
(For more
information, please read “Liste Des Entreprises (Companies Listing)
It can be ordered at S.A.E.M – Sophia Antipolis Enterprise Management-
http://www.saem-sophia-antipolis.fr).
Information technologies
The
IT industry has been fundamental in the expansion of Sophia Antipolis
and regroups the largest number of companies. Such as Accenture, Cap
Gemini, SAP, H&P, Microsoft, IBM, TI among many others. Areas of
expertise encompass designing interfaces for PCs, integrating workstations,
networking, LAN and WAN engineering, development, distribution and database
management, development and integration of software applications.
Network and Telecommunications
The setting up of ETSI (the European Telecommunications Standard Institute)
is evidence of the importance of Sophia Antipolis in the field of networking
and telecommunications. European standards for telecommunications are
developed and set at ETSI. GSM, GPRS, DAB, DVB, Nicam are among standards
that also are adopted worldwide.
Ascom.
Ascend Communication. Bouygues Telecom, Cegetel, Cisco are represented.
France Telecom, has acted as project manager for the entire Sophia Antipolis
telecommunications infrastructure. Lucent Technologies, SITA, and many
others firms are involved in the development and integration of communications
equipment and software.
Multimedia
There are also dozens of small companies that have found all the right
ingredients to blossom in Sophia Antipolis. Examples of expertise include
3D image processing, interactive audio and video CD, DVD-video design,
computer game development and multimedia database software development.
Electronics
Sophia
Antipolis is the host to many diverse technologies: development of components
for telecommunications, medical or military applications, designing
of optical and acoustic devices, of electro-mechanical systems, robotics
and home automation. Thomson Marconi Sonar is the second employer of
the Park; sonars and radar equipment are its leading products. Schneider
Automation, Cadence, Legrand,
Rockwell, SAP and Siemens are also conspicuously prominent in the Science
Park.
Health-Care Science, fine chemicals and biotechnology
This focus of activity numbers some sixty companies, roughly 2000 people.
These companies are particularly involved in R&D programmes in immunology,
genetics, dermatology, pharmacy, biochemistry and medical imaging, as
well as medical technologies. Allegran, Galderma research and development,
N.M.T. Neurosciences, Rohm & Haas and Rhone Poulenc are the major
companies in the sector.
Earth Science
Energy, the Environment and material represent a very specific branch
of research with some 250 employees 75% of them being high level researchers.
Research
Pure and applied research accounts for some 4000 researchers over approximately
fifty public and private establishments. Many of the laboratories located
in Sophia Antipolis have a world wide reputation in fields as varied
as robotics, artificial intelligence and natural sciences. CNET, CNRS,
INRA and INRIA are pinnacles of French research whose presence is strong
in Sophia Antipolis.
Higher Education
Higher, further education and training establishments cater for over
3000 students. Their programmes of study are congruent with high-tech
emphasis of Sophia Antipolis. Especially
well represented are: applied maths, information technology, telecommunications,
automation, economics and management. These establishments include .Université
de Nice Sophia Antipolis, Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Mines
de Paris, Ecole Supérieure en Sciences Informatiques, ESINSA,
Eurecom Institute, INRIA, Theseus Institute and CERAM group.
Networks
There are lots of different clubs and networks in Sophia Antipolis.
Database Forum Club, Club des Dirigeants, Telecom Valley, Club High-tech,
Sophia Start-up, MBDS, Initiative Riviera Technology, IMET Mediterranean,
PMI France-Sud to mention some of them. And then there is the great
advantage of what’s in the neighbourhood; the sea, the sun, the
pines, the olives, the architectural style, the history…
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