The company 'Descartes Institute for the Future' primarily focuses on researching and analyzing future topics, particularly in the areas of innovation, technology, and urban development. The core activity of the company is to provide research and consulting services to private and public organizations to support them in shaping their future viability. The company also creates various rankings and indices, such as the 'Smart City Index', which measures the future viability of cities. Furthermore, the company publishes books, articles, and presentations on topics such as innovation, urban development, and sustainability. Overall, the core activity of the company can be described as 'research and consulting in the field of future development and innovation'.