The arrangements set in place are very similar to those that exist at other research centers, such as the French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) and the Institut National de Recherche en Informatique et en Automatique (INRIA).
 
Among other things, it calls for a 6- to 18-month incubation period during which IFP supports the employee's project. IFP's marketing, legal, and financial teams help prepare the future company's business model. Assistance is also provided for the finalization of all prerequisites of the success of such a project (legal, administrative, and financial matters).
 
Since this policy was set in place, ten projects have been proposed and two selected.
 

Poweltec : polymers to optimize oil & gas production

IFP incubated Poweltec, a company founded by a few of its employees, for 12 months.
Poweltec specializes in improving the production of oil and gas wells and fields using polymers.
The company started up its operational activity in March 2007.
>> Further information on Poweltec
 

Cogebio : production of electricity and heat by biomass combustion

The incubation of this second project began in 2007. The ultimate objective is to create a company developing an innovative process for the production of electricity and heat by biomass combustion.
>> Further information on Cogebio
 

+ IFP > Jobs and careers at IFP > Personal experiences > Alain Zaitoun [founder of Poweltec]