The article studies an ICT collaborative project developed in the framework of the regional innovation policy of the PACA region, France. It seeks to gain a better understanding of the evolution of a community-based open innovation network shaped during the project implementation. Conditions for its emergence, construction and stabilisation are discussed from theoretical and practical viewpoints, including governance design and leadership characteristics as well as factors determining collaboration (IPR, timespan and individual characteristics of participants). Community animation style is highlighted as an important ingredient for emergence of innovative ideas from the cognitive resources of the territory, to favour smart specialisation. A longitudinal and qualitative method of observation is used, covering the period from the emergence of the project until its administrative end, with follow-up of emerged innovative enterprises. A participative research approach is adopted to collect diverse data (minutes of meeting, working documents, etc.) and to conduct interviews during the project.