Founded in 1989 by five leaders of innovative defense SMEs, the Comité Richelieu opened up to every sector of the economy in 1994. Today it brings together hundreds of start-ups, SMEs and mid-sized companies united by a shared value: innovation. Its mission is to give innovative companies a voice and to foster their growth, particularly in their relationships with large corporations and in public procurement. Its proposals have shaped several public measures, including the Innovation Tax Credit and innovation mediation.