Good practice:

SIVIIM The International Summit of Innovation in Medium Sized Cities

The International Summit of Innovation in Medium Sized Cities is an initiative started by the cities of Nevers and Shawinigan in Quebec, Canada. Middle-ranking cities have the immense challenge of distinguishing themselves in terms of innovation in the face of the largest urban centres such as Paris, Lyon, Montreal and Quebec City.
Middle-ranking cities need the platform that SIIViM offers in particular the opportunity to meet business, city administrations and not for profits with similar and complementary realities. SIVIIM offers these cities opportunity to build a partnership approach to digital innovation and the expansion of market opportunities.
They face the challenge of developing Smart city solutions that are adapted to their needs and finding partners who collectively can offer the markets, the political and social weight to balance the domination of metropolitan areas.
Participants at the events are offered the opportunity to follow innovation pathways tailored to their specific innovation requirements. visiting exhibitors with products relevant to their priorities.

The events are supported by the organisers themselves, through fees from exhibitors, via commercial sponsorship, regional and national funding.

• Holding two international SIVIIM events in Nevers and Shawinigan (the next in Nevers, France in October 2020)
• National 'small-city' innovation events
• Bringing the specific needs, potential and markets of middle-ranking cities to the forefront of social, economic and political debate
• Providing network solutions and models for (digital) innovation and socio-economic development adapted to member city needs
• Dynamic framework for national and international cooperation

• Accelerate the deployment of innovation in Middle-ranking cities;
• To promote and position Middle-ranking cities as potential places to set up innovative
companies
• Encourage the development of start-ups and SMEs in non metroplitan areas that offer innovative solutions to their market;

High - SIIVIM is principally a francophone network, which facilitates partnerships. Other national groupings with common characteristics or ambitions need to focus on creating networks where their similarities foster innovation sharing and raise awareness tech companies of the significant market they offer