Jérôme DURAIN and AER BFC announce a memorandum of understanding aimed at strengthening economic and educational partnership with Wisconsin

On 15 September 2026, the Regional Economic Agency of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté (AER BFC) and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) formalized their collaboration by signing a partnership agreement.

This agreement marks a new step in strengthening ties between Bourgogne-Franche-Comté and Wisconsin, with the aim of developing exchanges between their economic, research and academic ecosystems.

Cooperation serving both regions

This partnership aims to create stronger links between stakeholders in both regions: companies, institutions, research organizations, universities and economic networks.

In particular, it will help facilitate connections, encourage the sharing of expertise and generate new opportunities for cooperation, business development and investment.

Several priority sectors have been identified as part of this cooperation: agri-food, energy, industry, as well as biotherapies and health sciences.

Initial opportunities for collaboration

Field visits, seminars, professional meetings and business missions may be organized to encourage exchanges and strengthen connections between stakeholders in both regions. Regular exchanges between the two organizations will also help monitor the initiatives undertaken.

In the field of biotherapies, this cooperation builds on the existing ties between AER BFC and BioForward, a cluster specializing in biotherapies.

The agreement notably provides for stronger relations between PMT Santé, BIOVALIANCE and BioForward Wisconsin, as well as with other relevant partners in the sector.

In the agri-food sector, exchanges may notably build on the networks of Vitagora, AgrOnov and FAB Wisconsin.

The cooperation also covers energy, industry, innovation and commercialization, as well as academic exchanges between universities and research institutions in both regions.

Two organizations supporting economic development

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) supports economic development in Wisconsin and contributes to strengthening the state’s attractiveness to businesses and investors.

For its part, AER BFC, the operational agency of the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Region, supports companies and local authorities in their development, innovation projects and international activities.

The signing of this agreement therefore represents a further step towards bringing together stakeholders from Wisconsin and Bourgogne-Franche-Comté and fostering new opportunities for cooperation.

Agreement signed by:

Arnaud MARTHEY, President of AER BFC
John W. MILLER, Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of WEDC