Government aid for the development of innovative technology: lessons from the French

The French Aid to Development Program provides a reimbursable subsidy to industrial firms for the development of specific new products and processes. The program has been used variously to induce traditional firms to be more technically venturesome; to average the risk where the project is too large for the firm; to support projects with important external benefits; and as a general aid in support of French industrial policy. The program serves as a substitute for the risk capital market for the small and medium firm. The bulk of the funds have gone to large corporations for medium-sized projects. For firms with a portfolio of R&D investments, aid for any specific project acts by displacement to fund the firm 's most marginal project.