WestBIC Explores Innovation and Industrial Transition in Hauts-de-France During LOTTI LIM6

WestBIC is an Enterprise Ireland partner providing hands-on startup support, funding readiness and investment preparation for early-stage founders in the west of Ireland.

WestBIC recently joined partners from across Europe in Lille for the sixth LOTTI Interregional Meeting (LIM6), held from 18–20 November 2025. The visit offered WestBIC a valuable opportunity to delve into the Hauts-de-France innovation ecosystem and to strengthen cooperation with regions working on identity-led industrial transition.

Irish partners and stakeholders: Seamus McCormack, James Donlon (WestBIC), Margaret King (Clar ICH), Nicola Kennedy (Mayo LEO), and Eiméar Dowd (Northern & Western Regional Assembly).

Over the course of three days, partners engaged with regional policymakers, innovation leaders, and stakeholders who are shaping new approaches to economic development in areas undergoing major transition. Hosted by the Hauts-de-France Regional Council, the opening sessions gave a comprehensive overview of regional strategies, LOTTI progress, and the latest Interreg Europe policy developments. Each partner region shared insights from their Local Dialogues, highlighting how identity, heritage, and community engagement are informing policy thinking at home.

LOTTI Partners and Stakeholders

A standout element of the visit was the deep dive into EuraTechnologies, one of Europe’s most established digital innovation campuses. Here, partners explored how the region is fostering digital entrepreneurship and lifelong learning through initiatives such as the Euratech Learning District and the emerging Campus Cyber. The visit demonstrated how digital transformation and citizen engagement can reinforce one another at local level — an area of growing relevance for WestBIC’s own regional work.

Steven Bourgeois, Public Affairs Director, EuraTechnologies, along with LOTTI Partners and Stakeholders

The programme continued with a strong focus on industrial transition. At ENSAM, experts presented research and training activities linked to Battery Valley, along with the region’s REV3 strategy, which aims to accelerate a shift towards cleaner energy and more resilient economic models.

Introduction to ENSAM’s Battery Valley activities with Thomas Roillet (L2EP Smart City & Energy Efficiency Expert) and François Gruson (Associate Professor and Co-Lead of the SYSPEC Master’s Programme).

Later, the group travelled to CRITT M2A, where cutting-edge testing facilities are supporting innovation in electric mobility and energy storage. These examples offered valuable learning on how regional actors can collaborate with industry to navigate major shifts in manufacturing and technology.

The final day highlighted creativity and culture as drivers of regeneration. Visits to EURACREATIVE, Le Fresnoy, and CETI showed how former industrial areas can successfully transition into hubs for design, media, and advanced materials. These practical examples of adaptive reuse and innovation tie closely to LOTTI’s central theme: building the future of industry by recognising and reimagining local identity.

Across all sessions, the WestBIC team engaged in constructive dialogue with project partners, gaining fresh perspectives and exploring opportunities to apply learning within the Irish context. The LIM6 meeting reinforced the value of international cooperation in shaping more inclusive and locally grounded industrial policy.

WestBIC returns from Hauts-de-France energised for the next phase of LOTTI, as partners continue to exchange experience and support each other in advancing identity-driven industrial transition across Europe.