Supporting, Innovating & Showcasing the Region
Backed by a team with sharp and complementary expertise, the Regional Economic Agency of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté (AER BFC) is fully committed to serving businesses and regional communities.
“The Regional Economic Agency remains our key instrument for driving momentum. In 2024, it played a crucial role in several major developments.” — Marie-Guite Dufay, President of the Region
2024 Overview of AER BFC
Thanks to its strong regional presence, the Agency now counts 85 intermunicipal authorities (EPCI) among its shareholders—out of a total of 113 in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté—alongside the Regional Council. In 2024, AER BFC successfully renewed its ISO 9001 quality certification, first obtained in 2018, for another three years. It also continued its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives in preparation for future accreditation.
Spotlight on Three Key Sectors
This year’s report highlights three sectors of excellence: Biotherapies & Biomanufacturing, Energy, and Digital Technologies
Prospecting, Supporting & Promoting
# Economic Attractiveness
AER BFC carried out extensive project engineering work, including:
-
Over 1,900 meetings conducted by the economic development team
-
567 projects monitored
-
64 completed projects resulting in the creation or preservation of 1,333 jobs
In 2024, the Agency took part in 33 prospecting missions in France and abroad, including major trade shows such as SIMI, Hyvolution, Viva Technology, and EPHJ. It also welcomed four international delegations and signed two cooperation agreements—with Wisconsin (USA) and Québec (Canada).
As for foreign investment, the region hosts 98,000 jobs—representing 10% of regional employment—across 3,500 facilities operated by 1,300 foreign-owned companies.
Raising Awareness, Supporting & Developing
# Innovation and Ecological Transition
AER BFC organized the 6th edition of its flagship event, “Créer Demain”, focused on the theme “Exploring Innovation in the Age of Artificial Intelligence”, which featured workshops, roundtables, exhibiting companies, and a keynote conference. The 2024 edition brought together more than 350 participants.
In parallel:
-
110 on-site visits were conducted with businesses and project leaders in the field of innovation
-
Through the Presta’INNO program, 70 applications were reviewed, resulting in 62 grants awarded, totaling €406,700 in investment
-
65 companies received in-depth technical support in energy transition, and 176 in eco-design
Observing, Analyzing & Advising
# Economic Data
Décidata, the regional data platform for Economy, Employment, and Training, reached over 1,100 professional users in 2024.
The Agency also provided four strategic advisory missions for its EPCI shareholders.
Furthermore, 1,000 properties were identified, representing 2.8 million square meters of available space across Bourgogne-Franche-Comté. AER BFC engaged with local authorities to enhance knowledge and management of economic land and business zones, identifying 1,650 hectares of available space across 690 business zones.
Creating, Communicating & Sharing
# Visibility
A multichannel communication strategy was deployed—including web platforms, social media, editorial content, photography, videos, and podcasts—to showcase the initiatives of the Region and its EPCIs, as well as the economic and territorial strengths of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté.
10 new brochures were co-produced with the Region, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Tourisme, and regional partners, complementing the 12 brochures created in 2023.