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The project is implemented through the CENTRAL EUROPE Programme and is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund.
I n n ovat i o n S e r v i ce sG u i d e b o o k
I n n ovat i o n S e r v i ce s G u i d e b o o k
88
University of Debrecenwww.unideb.huProf. Lszl [email protected]: +36 52 518-640Fax: +36 52 518-640
Municipality of Velenjewww.velenje.siRok [email protected]: +386 3 8961 544
TechnoCenter at the University of Mariborwww.tehnocenter.uni-mb.siAnton Habjani, [email protected]: +386 2 23 55 365
Centuria RIT www.centuria-rit.comChiara [email protected]: +39 0547415080Fax: +39 0547313291
Amiti www.amitie.itPier Giacomo Solapgsola@amitieTel: +39 051273173Fax: +39 0516560416
Klimentovsk a. s.www.klimentovska.asPetra [email protected]: +420 777 738 777
Multipurpose Union of Kecskemt and its Region www.aranyhomok.huDr. Sndor [email protected]: +36 30 4635320Fax: +3676 850020
The project is implemented through the CENTRAL EUROPE Programme and is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund.
Published in April, 2010
http://free.unideb.hu
1Project FREE 2
Guidelines 3
Criteria for Quick Assessment of Each Service 4
The Enterprise Europe Network 6
Gbor Baross Programme 8
Patent Monitoring 10
e-VEM 12
Innovation vouchers 14
Regional Innovation Agencies 16
PRO INNO Europe 18
Young Researchers in the Economy 20
Brokerage Events 22
Incubator House for the Future! 24
Research by commercial, technological and scientific partners 26
The Enterprise e-Services Portal 28
The Best Researcher Competition 30
Regional Knowledge Centres at Universities 32
Technology Transfer Day 34
Clusters 36
Innovation Europe 38
Micro Credit Program 40
Start:up Slovenia 42
Contents
We Tech Off 44
Business Incubators 46
University of Debrecen Technology Transfer Office 48
The European Investment Fund 50
Business plan 1.4 52
F1RST 54
Darinno 56
The R&D Information System 58
The Innovating Regions in Europe (IRE) network 60
PatLib Centre Debrecen 62
I Have an Idea! 64
R2B Days and R&D Days 66
DEAK 68
esp@cenet 70
Technology Watch 72
Bioincubator Centre Debrecen 74
A business plan that attracts investors! 76
Technology Foresight Study 78
CORDIS 80
GAMF 82
EU
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2FREE intends to contribute to regional development in Central Europe by setting up innovation systems capable of bridging between technical experts, researchers, entrepreneurs and regional and national authorities. The capacity of regional actors to turn knowledge and skills into sustainable competitive advantage is crucial to regions economic performance, as innovation is most effectively addressed at regional level, where physical proximity fosters the partnership between actors.
The projects general objectives are: to stimulate technology transfer and knowledge exchange mechanisms; to foster access to scientific knowledge and the use of already existing knowledge; to set up and intensify the application-oriented cooperation between R&D and industry.
Innovation Services Guidebook gathers good practices, which are aimed at academia, SMEs or both, in project partners countries and also on the EU level. Principally, it serves as a reference material to 'mediators of innovation' during training sessions and pilot projects. With analyzed transferable aspects and innovation features one can consider adopting good practices or improving already existing services.
Other activities, which complete the projects mission, are: creating Innovation Systems Guidebook; setting up R&D Yellow Pages with data on R&D results in the partners regions; establishing a network of mediators of innovation, i.e. individuals with a set of interdisciplinary competences able to support the transfer of knowledge; elaborating training modules and organizing training in each project partners region regarding innovation support; issuing the Patent and Technology Newsletter; organizing the Technology Transfer Day.
Project activities will end in June 2011, with outputs ready for adoption and further development.
Project partners: University of Debrecen (Hungary), Municipality of Velenje (Slovenia), TechnoCenter at the University of Maribor (Slovenia), Centuria RIT (Italy), Amiti (Italy), Klimentovska PLC (Czech Republic), Multipurpose Union of Kecskemt and its Region (Hungary).
P R O J E C T F R E E
A more extensive analysis of innovation services is available
on the projects website: http://free.unideb.hu
3In the present analysis key factors have been identified which must be considered while setting up an innovation service or undertaking the improvement of an existing one. These key factors represent guidelines to institutions, capable of setting up specialized services that can be useful for SMEs and public research institutes in the context of bringing them closer to each other and facilitating the exchange of knowledge. The analysis has been carried out to understand the different mechanisms and contexts which allow knowledge and R&D results to be transformed into new products, services and innovative solutions.
Following the initial introduction of the guidelines, the following sections introduce the most successful innovation services in partners territories along with a presentation of Europe-wide services.
Key factors of successful innovation services
Coherence with the innovation strategy. A strong strategy behind a group of actions induces synergy and increases their impact on regional development. The innovation services provided must be in line with national and regional innovation policy and strategy and with the innovation system.
Focusing on a specific goal. The most effective services aim to achieve a certain positive result and thus narrow the focus down to address one of the objectives within the innovation strategy.
Focusing on a specific group of users. By specializing the service for just one group of users, the service becomes more effective.
A strong supportive team. The team behind the service must be professional, competent and easily accessible if additional support and assistance is required.
Offering a high level of knowledge. Investments in knowledge, new ways of creating added value, and training and consulting are very important elements in successful services.
Displaying direct benefit and value for the user. Users seek time-saving operations, better efficiency, knowledge, networking and financial reward.
Security measures. In the process of implementing the service, users confidential information is in many cases displayed to the service provider. Security measures must thus be undertaken to protect users information and to gain trust and guarantee reliability.
Providing multiple benefits for the user. Services offering many benefits for the user at once prove to be more effective and better accepted.
Achieving cooperation and/or competitiveness among users. Successful services promote cooperation between users, as well as competitiveness at some points.
Cooperating with other partners. The organization providing the service cooperates with the government, well established companies, institutes, individual experts and other organizations in all necessary areas.
Constantly improving and learning. The service itself is changing and innovating. Gathering feedback, monitoring and evaluation are therefore indispensable.
G U I D E L I N E S
4If the service couldnt be assessed directly by these criteria, the points were meaningfully awarded in relation to them.
Profitability
5 POINTS High profit (more than 20% of the costs).
4 POINTS Moderate profit (under 20 % of the costs).
3 POINTS Minor profit (under 5% of the costs).
2 POINTS Indirect profitability (for example: through returned taxes, sponsors).
1 POINT Enough income to cover the costs zero profit.
0 POINTS Services are provided free of charge no profit.
Initial resources
5 POINTS Very high financial resources (increasing 1 million Euro).
4 POINTS High financial resources (under 1 million Euro).
3 POINTS Moderate financial resources (under 500 000 Euro).
2 POINTS Minor financial resources (under 100 000 Euro).
1 POINT Very low financial resources within the institution implementing the service(under 5 000 Euro).
0 POINTS No initial resources.
Independence
5 POINTS Completely independent, including only internal staff and members, financing from own funds.
4 POINTS Independent in programme, dependent in financing.
3 POINTS Weakly connected in programme and financing with other organizations.
2 POINTS Moderately connected in programme and financing with other organizations.
1 POINT Greatly connected in programme and financing with other organizations.
0 POINTS Completely connected in programme and financing with other organizations, without which the service will not be possible.
C R I T E R I A F O R Q U I C K A S S E S S M E N T O F E A C H S E R V I C E
55 POINTS Full set of personalized services such as consultancy, training, feasibility studies.
4 POINTS Personalized service such as consultancy, training, feasibility studies.
3 POINTS Interactive group trainings and consultancy.
2 POINTS Seminars, conferences, partner search.
1 POINT Just offering information (guidelines, manuals, databases).
0 POINTS No soft factors.
Hard factors
5 POINTS High financial resources (increasing 500 000 Euro).
4 POINTS Moderate financial resources (under 500 000 Euro).
3 POINTS Minor financial resources (under 100 000 Euro).
2 POINTS Potential access to higher funds (increasing 200 000 Euro; if certain criteria are fulfilled).
1 POINT Potential access to minor or moderate funds (under 200 000 Euro; if certain criteria are fulfilled).
0 POINTS No funds or potential access to funds.
C R I T E R I A F O R Q U I C K A S S E S S M E N T O F E A C H S E R V I C E
Soft factors
6E UT H E E N T E R P R I S E E U R O P E N E T W O R K
The Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) is the largest network of contact points providing information and advice to EU companies on EU matters, in particular small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). EEN provides practical answers to specific questions in the native language. It offers a wide range of services as a 'one-stop shop for businesses in over 40 countries. The Network offers concrete and effective solutions to entrepreneurs and companies in more than 40 countries, including the 27 EU member states, three EU candidate countries (Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Turkey), members of the European Economic Area (EEA) and other participating third countries.
Profitability Initial resources for setting up the service Independence Soft factors Hard factors
The Enterprise Europe Network is unique both in terms of its wide geographic reach and of the wide range of integrated services it provides to SMEs and other business actors. This is made possible thanks to the coordinated action of nearly 600 local partner organizations, employing around 3 000 experienced staff working to support the competitiveness of EU businesses. The new integrated Network offers a one-stop shop to meet all the information needs of SMEs and companies in Europe.
Instruments include business partner search within technology and business cooperation databases and fast access to information on funding opportunities. Individual on-site visits to companies to assess their needs and a broad range of promotional and informational material can be organised. Representatives of the Network can also help businesses understand EU law, how it applies to their business and how to make the most of the internal market and EU programmes.
The Enterprise Europe Network fully exploits the synergies between all support services and helpdesks aimed at European businesses. The one-stop shop service is accompanied by a no wrong door policy: an entrepreneur or business actor can enter the Network through any contact point, and will then be assisted and personally directed to the relevant service or organization.
The Enterprise Europe Network offers easy access and proximity to local services for SMEs, thus creating regional business gateways. Regional consortia cooperate to create a coherent support structure for local companies, boosting the regions profile and its competitiveness.
Business actors are encouraged to share, define and disseminate best practices in fields such as innovation, expansion to new markets, enlargement of the client base, improvement of market position, etc. As a result, the Enterprise Europe Network helps SMEs realize their potential in terms of growth and regional job creation.
The Network also improves the relationship between the European Commission and business. Network representatives provide the Commission with regular feedback on EU policy, the difficulties SMEs face operating
7E UT H E E N T E R P R I S E E U R O P E N E T W O R K
Contact:Use the online form at http://www.enterprise-europe-network.ec.europa.eu/about/contact
European Commission Directorate-General for Enterprise and Industry: [email protected]
in the EU and the effectiveness of the EUs programmes. All this will help shape EU law that is more business-friendly and will stimulate growth and competitiveness across the EU. The Network is there to support the European Commission and help it to help business.
The Network offers a whole host of services: Providing information and practical advice on
market opportunities, European legislation and policies relevant to a company or sector.
Helping SMEs to find suitable business partners using its business and technology cooperation database.
Developing the research and innovation capacities of SMEs.
Helping SMEs to share research results, participate in research programs and apply for funding,
Involving SMEs and business actors in the policy-making process.
Website: http://www.enterprise-europe-network.ec.europa.eu/index_en.htm
8H u n g a r y
The Gbor Baross Programme was prepared and created by the National Office for Research and Technology. The programme provides the framework and tools to support RDI projects in the regions. Every year, there are seven individual Gbor Baross Programmes in the country, one in each region. The regions have the right to propose what kind of RDI activity they want to support from the funds in their own region.
Profitability Initial resources for setting up the service Independence Soft factors Hard factors
G B O R B A R O S S P R O G R A M M E
This measure was first introduced in 2005 and since then
except in 2008 when the most recent call for proposals
was published it has been a great success in all regions,
especially in szak-Alfld.
In the szak-Alfld Region the following sums have been
available over recent years:
Year Gbor Baross Programme - szak-Alfld Region
2005 4 million Euro
2006 2.8 million Euro
2007-2008 7.25 million Euro
2009 4.3 million Euro
Each year emphasis was placed on different priorities,
such as intense academia-industry co-operation in the
regions, focused R&D projects, improved innovation
capabilities, significant investment projects, and the
efficient and rapid commercialization of R&D results.
The planning of the annual Gbor Baross Programme
is designed by the Regional Innovation Agencies based
on their Regional Innovation Strategy. The Regional
Innovation Agency carries out the preparatory work
and the Regional Development Council is required to
accept the call for proposals. Even though it seems to
be a decentralized initiative, it is effectively centrally
controlled. After the regional planning and acceptance,
the National Office for Research and Technology approves
the call for proposals and then launches the calls for
each of the regions and carries out the contracting and
financing of the project. The evaluation of the proposals
and the monitoring of the projects are undertaken in the
regions, supported by the National Office for Research
and Technology.
The programme is intended for all legal entities: private
entrepreneurs, non-profit companies, educational and
research institution, governmental or private non-profit
research centres and foundations operating in the territory
of the szak-Alfld Region.
Gbor Baross Programme is financed from the Research
and Technology Innovation Fund, which provides stable
and reliable financing for RTDI activities. The independent
government Fund is envisioned to promote both
demand driven innovation and the knowledge based
9H u n g a r yG B O R B A R O S S P R O G R A M M E
competitiveness of companies. The Fund is financed by
mandatory contributions from all companies registered
in Hungary, matched with the same amount annually
from the government budget.
Contact: szak-Alfld Regional Development Agency http://www.eszakalfold.hu
ResultsIn the 4 years of its activity a total of 178 projects have been
financed in the szak-Alfld region, with an overall budget
of approximately 20 million Euros.
10
I t a l y
Patent Monitoring consists of a monitoring of specialized international databases, with the aim of identifying patents of potential interest for enterprises. The service is provided by Centuria RIT, a Science and Technology Park in the Emilia-Romagna Region.
Profitability Initial resources for setting up the service Independence Soft factors Hard factors
P A T E N T M O N I T O R I N GThe monitoring is conducted according to different
modalities: search by keywords; search by applicant/
assignee name - in this case the investigation focuses on
the individual or body applying for the patent; and specific
monitoring, related to the state of the art in a specific
sector/technology.
The Patent Monitor started in 2002, and is a continuous
service intended mainly for Associates of Centuria RIT in the
Emilia-Romagna Region.
Patent Monitoring on a continuous basis is free, the cost
being included in the Associates annual fee. For external
enterprises, it is financed by a regional project. Specific
researches or patent surveillance, depending on the search
requested, may require payment of a fee.
The enterprises involved in the patent monitoring services
come from two main sectors: manufacturing and agro-
food, and they can obtain information about patents of
interest, identify the state of the art of a sector, and carry
out strategic research and possible collaborations. The
service improves the innovation and competitiveness of
enterprises at a national and international level.
RESULTSPatent monitoring allows the user to focus R&D on specific
areas of interest; to be aware of newly issued patents and
patent applications in a specific sector, and to gain insights
into the market plans of various competitors.
It is often necessary to monitor the status and on-going
activity of pending patent applications or the patents
themselves, and to protect and defend patents as new
information becomes available. The service supports
enterprises by saving them time and money.
Strengths of the service: Ad hoc service/ personalized, The main aspects of the activity are tailored to the
individual enterprise,
Service on a continuous basis (search by keywords), free service,
Answers to enterprises need for information and updating,
Time-saving service for enterprises (which often have no time or resources for this kind of activity),
Specific, ad hoc information: Centuria RIT sifts, selects and summarizes the results according to the enterprise
sector/requests,
Centuria RIT provides support in the definition of
P A T E N T M O N I T O R I N G
11
I t a l y
research and in the analysis of outputs; the service
has a progressive structure: first an abstract with the
main information, then optional widening, finally the
complete text (free of charge) of the patent,
Data sources used by the service: free specialized
Contact: Centuria RIT Romagna Innovazione Tecnologia
Patrizia [email protected]
international databases (Espacenet, USPTO, UIBM,
Depatisnet, etc.) available to all,
The service is completely transferable (international database available, service methodology, different
types of search subjects in different sectors).
P A T E N T M O N I T O R I N G
12
S l o v e n i a
The e-VEM (Vse na Enem Mestu All in One Place) for companies is a web-based portal, which enables the free and simple registration of companies (simple limited company and private entrepreneur) within a few days. The portal is supported by a network of people and organizations which process applications and advise users.
Profitability Initial resources for setting up the service Independence Soft factors Hard factors
e - V E M
The e-VEM for companies (available on evem.gov.si) project
was realized under the auspices of the Ministry of Public
Administration and presented to the public in February
2008. In the period from 1st January 2007 to 1st February
2008 more than 2.5 million EUR were invested in the
development and maintenance of the e-VEM system, the
training of VEM points referees, notaries and court referees,
and on a comprehensive promotional campaign. Further
funds were invested in the new development phase based
on the needs expressed by institutions and VEM officers.
Interfaces for information systems for six institutions were
developed:
the Agency of the Republic of Slovenia for Public
Legal Records and Related Services, where e-VEM
sends applications for registration in the court
register;
the Tax Administration, where e-VEM obtains a tax
number for a newly created company;
the Health Insurance Institute, where e-VEM sends
applications for mandatory health and pension
insurance;
the Employment Service, where e-VEM sends
applications related to labour demands;
the Chamber of Craft and Small Business of Slovenia,
where e-VEM sends the data needed to obtain a
trade license;
the Institute for Pension and Disability Insurance,
where e-VEM sends applications for mandatory
health and pension insurance;
At the same time the e-VEM system obtains data
from the Central Population Register, the Register of
Spatial Units, the Register of Taxpayers.
The e-VEM for companies system brings positive results to
business entities and public administration institutions. In
more than 90% of cases, applications are complete, which
enables the relevant institutions to make rapid decisions.
10.2 million EUR of savings for businesses per year have
been recorded. These savings are primarily derived from
the abolishment of various fees and the optimization
of procedures. There has been a 20% increase in limited
companies since the introduction of the e-VEM system
and users are highly satisfied (VEM points receive an overall
average rating of 4.7; 5.0 is the maximum rating).
13
S l o v e n i ae - V E M
In 2009 the project received the following awards:
The best 2009 IKT project, awarded by the Slovenian
Society of Information Technology.
The United Nations Public Service Award - UNPSA
Contact: Ministry of Public Administrationhttp://www.mju.gov.si [email protected] +386 1 4788330
2009 in the category Improving the delivery of
services in the public sector.
Good practice Label - European eGovernment
Awards 2009, from the European Commission.
14
C z e c h R e p u b l i c
Vouchers represent a one-time grant to an entrepreneur intended for the purchase of services or knowledge from their providers universities. The knowledge obtained should be new to the entrepreneur and should facilitate innovation of their product, process or service. The assumption is that through these pilot projects the parties will establish long-term relationships and will then cooperate on more demanding projects in the future.
Profitability Initial resources for setting up the service Independence Soft factors Hard factors
I N N O V A T I O N V O U C H E R S
The project, which has already been successfully tested, particularly in Western Europe, was introduced in the Czech Republic for the first time in March, 2009. Innovation vouchers help convince entrepreneurs that knowledge providers from the academic sphere are able
15
C z e c h R e p u b l i cI N N O V A T I O N V O U C H E R S
to solve their scientific and research problems effectively and without risk.
It is more a stimulation tool than a subsidy tool a voucher for one firm with a value of CZK 150,000 (6,000 EUR), cannot cover large projects. However, it can help motivate entrepreneurs to establish contacts with researchers, which would not normally be possible otherwise. Innovation vouchers give an opportunity, even to a project that would otherwise not come about without these subsidies. An important assumed side-effect is the strengthening of the role of resultant technology transfer centres at the universities. These will be the main channel for communication and a contact agent for carrying out specific researches.
The financial guarantor is the statutory city of Brno, the organisational project is provided by the South Moravian Innovation Centre and the knowledge providers are the following universities:
Contact: South Moravian Innovation Centre Mgr. Jindich Weiss
Brno University of Technology; University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Brno; Masaryk University, Czech Republic; Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry in
Brno.
Best practiseThe INVEA-TECH Company became the first Czech company to receive a subsidy through an innovation voucher. Together with the University of Technology in Brno, the company refreshed its product, the FlowMon probe for monitoring high speed networks. Probes are now able to more effectively monitor traffic on 10Gbps networks with guaranteed processing of each packet. The company featured among the three most successful companies in the world working with this technology. Thanks to an innovation voucher the firm was also able to participate in the contract for a major international client and establish cooperation with Stanford University.
16
H u n g a r y
The initiative of setting up Regional Innovation Agencies was launched in 2003, aiming to create regional structures facilitating and enhancing regional RDI performance in all the seven NUTS2 statistical regions of Hungary.
Profitability Initial resources for setting up the service Independence Soft factors Hard factors
R E G I O N A L I N N O V A T I O N A G E N C I E S
The main aims of this scheme is to facilitate regional
cohesion; strengthen regions competitiveness by
supporting R&D and innovation projects; strengthen
firms competitiveness, especially that of SMEs operating
in regions; develop an innovation-friendly environment
in regions; strengthen regional innovation clusters, and
provide innovation services in regions, by establishing
Regional Innovation Agencies.
Regional Innovation Agencies are expected to facilitate
regional innovation processes, co-ordinate technological
innovation networks, provide innovation services and
integrate all these efforts and activities. This scheme provides
subsidies for the first 3 years of operation, although positive
impacts can only be felt in the medium- and long-term. The
first period of financing regional innovation agencies was
2005-2007 and the second period is 2008-2010. The overall
budget (for the period 2005-2007) was 8.400.000 Euro for 7
regions in Hungary this funding was used to set up the 7
regional agencies.
INNOVA szak-Alfld Regional Innovation Agency is one of
the regional innovation agencies. INNOVA plays a key role
in the implementation of szak-Alflds Regional Innovation
Strategy.
The agency was established by 6 key innovation players in
the szak-Alfld region:
szak-Alfld Regional Development Council (http://
www.eszakalfold.hu)
University of Debrecen (http://www. unideb.hu)
College of Nyregyhza (http://www. nyf.hu)
College of Szolnok (http://www. szolf.hu)
Northeast-Hungary Regional Development Plc.
(http://www. erf.hu)
Hungarian Association for Innovation (http://www.
innovacio.hu)
The mission of INNOVA besides the implementation of
the Regional Innovation Strategy is to become innovation
centre in the szak-Alfld region operating in a networking
model and to achieve results which are recognised at a
national and international level.
More specifically, INNOVA formulated the following direct
objectives to be achieved in the region:
to enhance innovation ability
to spur market-oriented RDI cooperation
17
H u n g a r yR E G I O N A L I N N O V A T I O N A G E N C I E S
to develop an innovation supportive environment
innovative human resource development
project management
To achieve its mission and objectives the agency provides
the following innovation services:
innovation, management and marketing
consultancy and training programmes
strategic planning, resource coordination and
management of decentralised funds
awareness raising, innovation surveys, foresight and
analysis
coordination of international projects, project
generation and partner search
ResultsImpacts will be measured in 2010.
Contact: INNOVA szak-Alfld Regional Innovation Agency http://www.innova.eszak-alfold.hu
18
E UP R O I N N O E u r o p e
PRO INNO Europe is part of the overall policy coordination with the Member States in the field of innovation, which is also facilitated by the Group of Senior Officials on innovation policy. Furthermore, close relations between PRO INNO Europe and the Innovating Regions in Europe (IRE) network will be established. Whereas PRO INNO Europe will concentrate on the overall analysis of innovation performance and innovation policies and provide a learning platform for trans-national co-operation, the IRE network will be used as the main communication channel with European regions on innovation policy matters.
Profitability Initial resources for setting up the service Independence Soft factors Hard factors
PRO INNO Europe is an innovation policy initiative of the Directorate-General for Enterprise and Industry that intends to become the focal point of innovation policy analysis and development throughout Europe. The initiative unites the previously separate PAXIS initiative, the TrendChart on Innovation in Europe, including the European Innovation
Scoreboard, and the series of innovation policy studies in a common framework. Existing policy analysis and benchmarking activities are integrated with new incentives for trans-national cooperation, innovation actions and policy learning methods.
Furthermore, a close liaison between PRO INNO Europe and the Europe INNOVA initiative is ensured, for example through the Europe INNOVA Forum, which brings together in a virtual manner relevant sectoral innovation projects and policy initiatives, as well as through the bi-annual Europe INNOVA Conference. The idea is that the lessons learned from the Europe INNOVA projects shall be used as further input into the development of new innovation policies and strategies, as promoted by the INNO-Learning Platform. PRO INNO Europe was implemented in two stages, beginning in July 2006. In the first stage in mid-2006 four modules: INNO-Learning Platform, INNO-Nets, INNO-Actions and INNO-GRIPS were launched.
The INNO-Metrics, INNO-Policy TrendChart, INNO-Appraisal and INNO-Views modules were launched during the second stage of the implementation of PRO INNO Europe; over time the initiative became fully operational in early 2007.
The initiative primarily drew on funds from FP6 and, as of 2007, from the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework
19
E UP R O I N N O E u r o p e
Contact:use the online form at http://www.proinno-europe.eu/contact
Website: http://www.proinno-europe.eu/
Programme. The implementation of most modules is based on a call for proposals launched through a Specific Support Action of FP6. The INNO-Learning Platform, INNO-Nets, INNO-Actions and INNO-GRIPS are based on the INNOV-9 call for proposals.
PRO-INNO Europe is based on two pillars accommodating a total of eight modules. Each of these follows a specific key
INNO - NetsINNO - Metrics
INNO - Appraisal
INNO - GRIPS
INNO - Wiews
INNO - Policy TrendChart INNO-Actions
INNO-Learning Platform
Policy CooperationPolicy Analiysis
Innovation Policy Advisory Board(ex-GSO)
INNO-Learning Steering Group(INNO-LSG)
aim of the initiative, as shown in the chart below. Although these actions are different in nature, they form part of a wider integrated policy approach intended to develop new and better innovation policies based on sound policy analysis and reliable statistics. This will prepare the ground for innovation actions covering the whole range of policy aspects and involving a multitude of different actors.
source: http://www.proinno-europe.eu
20
S l o v e n i a
Young researchers in the economy is an initiative to introduce more highly-educated staff in private companies and to stimulate companies to hire young graduates to enhance their R&D and innovation activities and thus to overcome the existing gap between research organizations and industry.
Profitability Initial resources for setting up the service Independence Soft factors Hard factors
Y O U N G R E S E A R C H E R S I N T H E E C O N O M Y
The service is mainly financially-oriented, providing co-
financing for salaries and some materials costs, for a young
researcher, who is employed in a company while pursuing
a PhD at the university. Through this support the young
researcher engages in research work with mentorship both
by the company and university.
Previously managed by the Ministry of Higher Education,
Science and Technology, the program is now run by the
Public Agency for Technology of the Republic of Slovenia
(TIA) in the 2007-2013 financial cycle, and is co-financed by
the European Social Fund. Beneficiaries are enterprises and
technology centres as employers of young researchers
and research organizations and universities as providers
of formal education. Together they agree on a young
researchers research programme.
Project proposals are ranked according to the following
criteria: suitability of a young researcher; suitability of the
mentors; suitability of a proposer (company); suitability of a
research group (whether the companys own if it has one
or an outsourced group); the training programme. The
criteria for eligibility for students are that they must have
finished under-graduate study and be 35 years or under (for
students with a masters degree, 38 years).
In the period between 2001 and 2006, when the Ministry
was managing the Young Researchers in the Economy,
support was awarded to 233 young researchers. So far 144
young researchers have already obtained a PhD or masters
degree. 90 of them have continued their employment in
the economic sector (78 in the same company as when
they were young researchers), 8 of them have found a job
in a public institute, and the others are engaged in further
studies or there is no data available.
The experience from this period also suggests that there
is competition among the companies for good graduates.
Links between participating enterprises and research
organisations have been established, offering more
opportunities for technology and knowledge transfer.
21
S l o v e n i aY O U N G R E S E A R C H E R S I N T H E E C O N O M Y
Number of young researchers in the economy (approved project proposals) according to scientific field (2001-2006):
Science field / Year 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
Natural Sciences and Mathematics 5 6 4 6 9 8
Engineering 16 12 18 23 36 35
Medicine 2 2 - - 3 3
Biotechnology 4 3 3 3 2 5
Social Sciences 5 1 1 3 4 2
Humanities 1 - - - 1 1
Multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research
- 1 2 - 1 2
Total: 33 25 28 35 56 56
Contact: Dr. Janez Marko Slabe Public Agency for Technology of the Republic of Slovenia http://www.tia.si
[email protected] Tel: +386 590 89 500
Mateja Nemani Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology http://[email protected] Tel: +386 1 478 4793
22
C z e c h R e p u b l i c
A brokerage event is an advanced tool dedicated to setting up new partnerships and launching new collaborative project proposals. It is a way of strengthening the cooperation between industries and research units and giving organizations a simple, direct and accessible way to find partners all around Czech Republic and Europe.
Profitability Initial resources for setting up the service Independence Soft factors Hard factors
B R O K E R A G E E V E N T S
The purpose of the brokerage event is to enhance opportunities for companies to explore and find cooperation. Another aim is to assist enterprises, universities and research institutions in finding partners for product development, manufacturing, licensing agreements, joint ventures or other types of partnership. A wide range of opportunities is available as all types of collaboration sought are offered;
(Research & Development, Technical Co-operation, Joint Venture Agreements, Manufacturing Agreements, Licence Agreements, Commercial Agreements, etc.).
The events also create the opportunity to transfer the experience, expertise and contacts between successful Project coordinators from the Czech Republic and the EU to potential partners, who will have the chance to realize their ideas and scientific potential.
The preparation of each event takes several months, but the event itself lasts two days, including plenary sessions, parallel workshops on specific areas and facilities for bilateral discussions. The brokerage event is an appropriate place for the participants to present themselves, to show each other their expertise and their collaborative project ideas.
How are the brokerage events organized? On a website you have to register and then insert
a profile - in which you describe, briefly, what your company/institute is doing and what you are offering/looking for
After the deadline for registration a catalogue will be generated, containing offers and requests from registered subjects
After the deadline you are encouraged to visit the catalogue and select offers/requests you are
23
C z e c h R e p u b l i c
B R O K E R A G E E V E N T S
interested in. The same will be done by other participants. In this way you will actually create a meetings schedule
Each event has a focus on one or more business sectors, and usually over a 2 day period the participating businesses meet during pre-arranged 30 minute appointments to establish contacts, gain information on their respective market places, negotiate deals and much more...
Companies and research laboratories are given the opportunity to participate in a brokerage event based on one-to-one confidential meetings between technology developers and users in order to foster technical cooperation. The brokerage event is also a chance to deepen the contacts made during conferences, workshops and round tables. Brokerage events, including those organized by Enterprise Europe Network, are well appreciated by European companies. It is a good way to meet several potential partners in a short time.
Contact: Enterprise Europe Network CR Daniela Vchov
24
H u n g a r y
This project gives an opportunity to the regions start-up innovative enterprises which do not have their own technical and communicational equipment or do not have experience in business life at present. The project is designed to accelerate the successful development of start-up small and medium-sized enterprises in the region through an array of business support resources and services. The incubator house also offers services for foreign enterprises that want to invest in the region and need adequate background information about local business possibilities.
ProfitabilityInitial resources for setting up the service Independence Soft factors Hard factors
I N C U B A T O R H O U S E F O R T H E F U T U R E !
The mission of the initiative is to increase the likelihood that
a start-up company will stay in business for the long term.
The main objective was to establish a business incubator
house which can offer complex innovation advisory and
support services for start-up SMEs which are interested in
the field of information technology and the software in-
dustry, renewable energy sources and the plastic/metal
industry. The project also supports the creation of an SME
network to enhance the diffusion of relevant information
and knowledge.
The services provided by the project are the following: help with business basics
networking activities
marketing assistance
high-speed internet access
support with accounting/financial management
links to higher education resources
links to strategic partners
comprehensive business training programs
advisory services
IP management
technology commercialization assistance
The total budget of the project is 1,8 million Euros.
25
H u n g a r yI N C U B A T O R H O U S E F O R T H E F U T U R E !
Contact: Sndor Lak PhD, project manager Tel: +36 30 4635320 [email protected]
3D design of the incubator house in Kecskemt
26
I t a l y
The service is supplied by SIMPLER - Support Services to Improve the innovation and competitiveness of businesses in the Lombardia and Emilia-Romagna Regions: a consortium that has been operating within the Enterprise Europe Network since 1st January 2008.
Profitability Initial resources for setting up the service Independence Soft factors Hard factors
R E S E A R C H B Y C O M M E R C I A L , T E C H N O L O G I C A L A N D S C I E N T I F I C P A R T N E R S
PARTNERING: helping clients to identify commercial, technology or research and development partners across
Italy and Europe. In particular:
Commercial Partners: to identify suitable partners (agents, distributors, suppliers) in other European
countries;
Technology Partners: to promote clients innovative products and technologies to prospective partners,
licensees and customers. The client can: promote his/
her own technology: a Technology Offer profile will
be drafted which will be published on the Enterprise
Europe Network database and disseminated across
Europe; search for technology: to help clients to source
specific products, technologies or expertise through an
extensive network of contacts. A Technology Request
will be drafted for circulation around Europe.
For both Offers and Requests, the profiles are published
anonymously and the identity and contact details are
not released to third parties without the clients prior
approval.
R&D Partners: to find partners for research and development projects, either by publicising their own
partner search or helping them to join an existing
project consortium.
EUROPEAN INFORMATIONActing as a first point of enquiry for businesses to provide
information on European legislation, policies, funding and
market opportunities.
SIMPLER can help organisations become more competitive
by keeping them up-to-date with information on:
Public contracts and tenders
European markets
EU policy affecting different sectors
EU legislation and the regulatory framework
Innovation and research & development (R&D),
including the EU Framework Programme (FP7)
Protecting intellectual property in Europe
European funding opportunities and business
support
EU R&D OPPORTUNITIESAssisting the company and the researcher to tap into EU
funding for research and development, particularly the
Framework Programme and other European programmes.
Through a range of information and partnering services
SIMPLER can support regional organisations, particularly
27
I t a l yR E S E A R C H B Y C O M M E R C I A L , T E C H N O L O G I C A L A N D S C I E N T I F I C P A R T N E R S
SMEs, to take advantage of the opportunities that EU
funded collaborative R&D can bring. SIMPLER can help
organisations to understand what type of funding is
available and how to access it, as well as assisting them
in finding the partners they need to develop their project
consortium.
Contact: Aster - Science Technology Business
Staff SIMPLER [email protected] http://www.aster.it/simpler.html
The services are free and are supplied in accordance with
the needs of the enterprise and the research system, and
are specific for different economic sectors. The purpose
of the partner research is to develop trade, business or
technological co-operation between SMEs and research
organisations across Europe.
28
E UT H E E N T E R P R I S E E - S E R V I C E S P O R T A L
The Enterprise e-Services Portal is an interactive website intended to provide stakeholders with a secure central point of access to all Enterprise and Industry-related e-services, including (currently):
specific web applications; subscription to events, seminars and conferences; subscription to publications (i.e. magazines, newsletters, etc.).
Profitability Initial resources for setting up the service Independence Soft factors Hard factors
Stakeholders include national and regional authorities and their representations in Brussels, other EU institutions, business organisations at European, national and regional levels, individual companies, research associations, universities, non-governmental organisations, press agencies., etc. Access to the portal is controlled by a registration procedure whereby visitors are granted a personal password. Using this password, registered visitors are then able to request access to the specific applications that they need to use on the portal, and to manage their profiles.
This website is developed and managed by the European Commissions Directorate General for Enterprise and Industry. It aims to disseminate information on all EU policies, actions and initiatives promoting economic growth and development, with a view to strengthening the competitiveness of EU enterprises.
The service/site offers: an up-to-date coverage of EU enterprise policies specific pages covering the industry sectors news, events, speeches electronic publications EU business statistics and benchmarking open consultations and forums. multimedia content : videos as well as recordings of
web streamed events
The aim is to provide European entrepreneurs and other interested visitors (or parties) with the information they are looking for in their own language or in a language they can understand.
Official documents are available in at least the languages which were official at the date of publication. Other documents, of a non-legally binding nature, are frequently published in English, French and German. General information on the homepage, and in most sections immediately accessible from the homepage, is available in all official languages. Information immediately accessible from the industry sector and policy home pages is generally available in at least three languages: English, French and German. Specific information campaigns, targeted to all EU entrepreneurs and particularly to SMEs,
29
E UT H E E N T E R P R I S E E - S E R V I C E S P O R T A L
Contact:European Commission Enterprise and Industry DG Communication and Information Unit R4
BREY 13/092 B - 1049 Brussels (Belgium)
are launched in all EU official languages. Specialised information in the deep levels of the website is generally available only in English.
The use of the portal is free of charge; however users have to register to get access to information. Applications available via the portal include the following services:
NOISE (conformity submission): Using this application, manufacturers or their representatives can send their Declarations of Conformity with the NOISE directive electronically.
NOISE (equipment subject to noise limits): A public database for consultation of equipment subject to noise limits.
OSN: One Stop Notification (OSN) is a web based tool, allowing manufacturers of radio equipment
to notify, via a secure link and through a single procedure, their intention to place products on the market of Member States.
Source of information/website: https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/enterprise-portal/
30
S l o v e n i a
The purpose of the competition is to support and stimulate researchers at the University of Maribor to cooperate closely with companies. The unique characteristic of the competition is that the best researcher is chosen only by companies which collaborate with the University on R&D.
Profitability Initial resources for setting up the service Independence Soft factors Hard factors
T H E B E S T R E S E A R C H E R C O M P E T I T I O N
The TechnoCenter, the technology transfer office at
the University of Maribor, introduced the competition
in 2006 and has been implementing it ever since. The
procedure is the following: a public call is issued to all
companies which collaborate with the University on
R&D to award points to the researcher or researchers
whom they work with. Researchers are graded, based
on various criteria, which differ from year to year. For
example: the availability of the researcher; the quality
of problem solving: the innovativeness of solutions;
respect for intellectual property and business secrecy;
the researchers initiative; the quality of communication;
the companys increased profitability; the integration of
the researcher in the companys business; opportunities
for future collaboration; the general impression created
by the researcher.
Each point is worth a certain amount of money and a
prize fund is created from companies donations, and is
then awarded to the researcher with the most points. The
winner is announced at the Meeting of Researchers and
Entrepreneurs and presented to the media. Along with the
best researcher, companies which grade researchers are
promoted.
The unique and innovative feature of the competition is
that only the opinion of the companies counts. Research
achievements as evaluated by the Universitys habilitation
criteria carry a small weight only when two or more
researchers share first place.
31
S l o v e n i aT H E B E S T R E S E A R C H E R C O M P E T I T I O N
Funds raised in the first three years of the competition
vary from 3,700 EUR to 8,000 EUR, which is a considerable
financial stimulus for the researcher and his/her work,
but the most important aspect is to motivate researchers
through competition to strengthen collaboration with the
economic sector and to pursue the universitys strategy to
become more involved in regional development.
On the other hand, by taking part in the competition and
grading the researchers the companies promote their
readiness for joint projects and knowledge transfer with
the University. In addition, the companies are promoted
in various publications and e-materials as good partners of
the University.
Contact: Anton Habjani, Ph.D TechnoCenter at the University of Maribor
http://www.tehnocenter.uni-mb.siTel: +386 2 235 53 65 [email protected]
32
H u n g a r y
Regional Knowledge Centres foster the creation of research and technological innovation centres at universities. The Knowledge Centres are intended to co-operate closely with businesses and accelerate the given regions technological and economic development, thus enhancing competitiveness both at a regional and national level.
Profitability Initial resources for setting up the service Independence Soft factors Hard factors
T H E P Z M N Y P T E R P R O G R A M : R E G I O N A L K N O W L E D G E C E N T R E S A T U N I V E R S I T I E S
The Regional Knowledge Centre projects are supported
financially by the National Office for Research and
Technology (the Hungarian governments grant
management organization) and implemented through a
consortium. Universities and state-financed, non-profit or
other research organizations, and companies located within
60 kms of the university can apply jointly. The consortium
is headed by a university, and industrial partners must be
involved in the project. There is no limit on the number of
partners involved.
The activity of the Knowledge Centres is based on research
and development including basic research, applied
research and experimental development with a well-
defined professional focus.
Objectives to carry on internationally competitive, well-focused
and application oriented research and development
in a consortium
to facilitate the commercialization of inventions,
patents and other research results
to build a modern R&D infrastructure and provide
companies with R&D services
to involve PhD students and young scientists in R&D
activities
to extend international R&D cooperation
to foster collaboration between research institutes,
enterprises and industrial actors
to increase the number of new start-up and spin-off
companies and incubation centres
to upgrade innovation related skills and diffuse new
technologies among enterprises
to ensure that future skills meet the innovation
needs of enterprises and facilitate the access of
enterprises to skilled and professional research
personnel
ResultsAltogether 19 Regional Knowledge Centres have been
established in Hungary in the last five years, and these have
been conducting internationally competitive, application-
oriented research projects. The significant innovation
activities and collaboration with industrial partners have
caused scientific and economic benefits for all participants,
especially for the region. Employment has increased, and
33
H u n g a r yT H E P Z M N Y P T E R P R O G R A M : R E G I O N A L K N O W L E D G E C E N T R E S A T U N I V E R S I T I E S
university and PhD students have been involved in research
and development. An innovation-led, business-oriented
approach has developed in higher education.
Major sectors affected: automotive industry, info-bionics,
genomics, neurobiology, mechatronics, information
technology, nanotechnology, the pharmaceutical industry,
food safety, energy industry, e-science.
Good Practice Genomnanotech Regional Knowledge
Centre (GND RKC) The GND RKC project was launched in 2004 and ended
in 2009. The University of Debrecen and 16 contributing
industrial partners executed a complex research program
through a consortium, using a subsidy of 6 million EUR
with a contribution of 3.5 million EUR of their own financial
resources. The GND RKC had four scientific subprograms
and a technology transfer program. The four scientific
programs dealt with the following:
1. New approaches to the diagnosis and therapy of
metabolic syndromes covering the highest morbidity
diseases: from genomics to clinical applications.
2. Foundation of a competitive agro-biotechnology
industry in the environs of the University of Debrecen: a
Contact: Genomnanotech Regional Knowledge Centre
E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://detti.unideb.hu
partnership stretching from genomics to production.
3. Industrial level development of drug candidates and
functional foods and safety pharmacology services.
4. Biomedical measurement methods and nanotech-
nology.
The project achieved its two main goals: it launched
translational R&D activities focusing on developments
that are considered to have major significance in the
environment of the University of Debrecen and exercise a
major influence at the regional and national level, and it set
up the basis for technology transfer in the region. The R&D
activity in this project resulted in 22 patent applications and
the development of more than 100 new technologies. A
new industrial culture and a significant number of jobs have
been created and the University of Debrecen has become
a key player in the region with respect to life sciences and
related interdisciplinary research. The industrial partners
of the University of Debrecen underwent a dynamic
development during the project: the average net income
growth per company had been 22 % before starting the
project, and climbed to 55 % between 2005 and 2008. The
number of employees increased annually by an average of
15 % per company.
34
I t a l y
A Technology Transfer Day (TTDay) consists of a series of pre-arranged bilateral meetings organized at a single venue for SMEs working in the particular field examined during the event.
Profitability Initial resources for setting up the service Independence Soft factors Hard factors
T E C H N O L O G Y T R A N S F E R D A Y
In pre-arranged bilateral meetings, participants have
the opportunity to explore the possibility of future
collaborations, such as licensing agreements, development
cooperation, joint ventures, commercial agreements with
technical assistance or manufacturing agreements.
TTDays can be organized not only as stand alone events, but
also at exhibitions and conferences: these events can bring
an added value for companies; they can organize extra
meetings and start co-operation with other participants at
the event.
The event involves not only companies, multi-nationals with
or without R&D functions, and SMEs, but also public and
private R&D institutions and universities. The technology
transfer days are particularly focused on public and private
organisations which offer and/or demand advanced and
innovative processes and technologies.
The TTDay can be introduced by a scientific seminar, during
which innovative technology profiles can be presented and
the participants have the opportunity to discuss the issues
raised.
Results The most important element of the Technology Transfer
Day is the technology profiles catalogue. This document
can be produced in paper format but also as an online
catalogue, and enables the meetings to be scheduled
effectively.
Registered participants can enter their technologies
and/or their cooperation requirements in the catalogue,
and anyone identifying interesting contacts to meet in
the catalogue can request a one-to-one meeting.
35
I t a l yT E C H N O L O G Y T R A N S F E R D A Y
Contact: Centuria RIT Pari Chiara [email protected]
One of the aims of the Technology Transfer Days is to initiate
future collaboration and to promote the transfer of know-
how between the suppliers and users of technology who
attend the events.
TTDays are organized following an established format
that has demonstrated success on many occasions
at national and international level, and that could be
taught for transfer.
36
C z e c h R e p u b l i c
Clusters are seen as an important tool for the development of competitive economies and innovation. They are defined as a network of interconnected firms, institutions of knowledge production, supporting institutions (e.g., centres for technology transfer, science parks etc.) and customers connected in the production chain which creates added value.
Profitability Initial resources for setting up the service Independence Soft factors Hard factors
C L U S T E R S
A clustered environment can be likened to a system in which change is managed and in which this change is implemented on the basis of synergy, critical mass, consensus and motivated cooperation. The cluster approach allows a recognizing and strengthening of the infrastructure supporting businesses in a way that current intervention in economic development fails to achieve. It is understood as a holistic view of the core categories that affect economic competitiveness, which are education, research, development and innovation, the promotion of entrepreneurship, investment, industrial property, and the development of supply chains, and it also encompasses social inclusion and sustainable development. These systemic functional abilities predispose cluster environments to become a strategic tool for increasing competitiveness.
General contributions of clusters: They create conditions that allow innovation to be
stimulated, including more efficient use of research
and development. This contributes to growth and a return on investment in public sector institutions such as a tertiary education and research institutes.
They improve the performance of individual businesses and create conditions for the emergence of new businesses that increase innovation and accelerate the process of the restructuring and diversification of industry.
They attract more and higher quality inward investment, which may include research and development.
Strong clusters generate an environment in which there are specialized skills, knowledge, research and development, know-how and qualified contractors who may be attractive to investors.
They function as new sources of regional or local benefits, and put into motion a process of cumulative growth and development through the creation of critical mass and the external economies arising from it.
They offer a comprehensive strategic agenda and framework for the integration and formation of policy that avoids duplication and overlap.
Around the world there are a number of clusters making use of local characteristics in global competition. The best known is probably Silicon Valley in the USA. The formation
37
C z e c h R e p u b l i cC L U S T E R S
and development of clusters offer different ways to support regional development agencies (in the U.S. due to offshoring in the EU due to the lag in innovation, and in Africa helping with industrialization). The Czech Republic supports the cluster development of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, CzechInvest and the implementation, in 2007 - 2013 of the Operational Program for Enterprise and Innovation. Active support of cluster initiatives has already existed in the Czech Republic for several years. The aim of
Contact: Czechinvest - Investment and Business Development Agency
this support is to use cooperative groupings as tools for the creation of innovations and the improvement of the Czech economys competitiveness. If is the company is at the stage of identifying or finding suitable companies to cluster with and is looking for suitable partners they would like to contact, if a university or region would like to participate in one of the cluster initiatives in their region, if they wish to provide details regarding their needs and the services they offer, they should contact the address below:
38
E UI N N O V A T I O N E U R O P E
Innovation Europe is a web portal providing a global platform for Europes most innovative companies, products, research and applications and highlights delivery and successful exploitation of innovative ideas. The main reason for the development of this portal is the fact that the key to growth in Europe is innovation.
Profitability Initial resources for setting up the service Independence Soft factors Hard factors
By promoting partnerships and co-operation within Europe, Innovation Europe is driving improvements in knowledge transfer and cross-border collaboration, and is helping to bridge the gap between research and development.Innovation Europe promotes an environment where academia, research and business can collaborate in order
to accelerate the innovation process and gain a global competitive advantage for Europe.
Innovation Europe is produced by Roxby Media Ltd. Roxby Media is an international publishing company specializing in business-to-business and professional publications targeted at highly selective audiences in specific fields. For organizations operating within these highly-specialized fields, it has always been essential to reach and influence key audiences selectively. Roxby Media has developed a unique publishing service for such organizations, maximizing the effectiveness of communications by controlling the editorial environment in which they appear.
As can be seen from the screen-shot, Innovation Europe offers several services and products to users:
Source:
http://www.innovationeu.org/
39
E UI N N O V A T I O N E U R O P E
Contact:Roxby Media Ltd The Diary House
Rickett Street London - SW6 RU1 Phone: +44 (0)20 7386 6100 Fax: +44 (0)20 7381 8890E-mail: [email protected]
These include up-to-date information on innovative European countries. Users can find information on European clusters which are seeking to improve and strengthen their performance and innovativeness. Clusters are more than mere user-producer linkages between industries. They are drivers in todays knowledge society comprising networks of interdependent firms, knowledge-producing institutions, intermediaries and related customers, all linked
through complex value-added chains. In recent years, European and national policy measures have increasingly targeted innovative industry clusters. A wealth of practical experience on cluster management and development has been accumulated and can be drawn on by clusters in Europe. The information, which users can find free of charge on this web portal is very useful and the site is easy to navigate.
Website: http://www.innovationeu.org/
40
H u n g a r y
The program is managed by the Venture Finance Hungary Plc. and the Bcs-Kiskun County Foundation for Development of Enterprises. The aim is to develop micro enterprises that cannot be entirely, or sufficiently financed with commercial banking methods, by improving their credit options. The main reason for this program is that the small credit needs of micro enterprises are difficult for the banks to handle, and due to these problems the relative transaction fees are too high, and enterprises would find it difficult to meet the bank's collateral requirements.
Profitability Initial resources for setting up the service Independence Soft factors Hard factors
M I C R O C R E D I T P R O G R A M
The Venture Finance Hungary Private Ltd. Company and
the Bcs-Kiskun County Foundation for Development of
Enterprises signed a contract in 2008 in order to finance
micro credits for the micro enterprises of the region. The
program helped to ensure the necessary financial resources
and supporting constructions for the development of
the infrastructure and investments of the regions micro
enterprises.
The goals of the credit products are the following: Financial services in order to manage the incomplete
markets arising from market failures.
To give assistance to the target group in order to
ensure they can acquire and retain Hungarian and
European Union subsidies.
Financial assistance for disadvantaged sections of
society in the fight against poverty by enhancing
the establishment of enterprises and by improving
the development of self-employment.
Beside the general goals mentioned above the program
provides financial expertise for enterprises which require
credit. This consultancy activity involves financial advice,
assistance in the credit process, mediation between
financial institutes and market actors, writing personalized
financial analyses, submission of tenders and competitions
and organizing workshops and conferences to bring
together all the parties concerned.
The targeted micro-credit applicant: micro enterprises
turnover not in excess of 715 000 Euros (or a new
enterprise)
its activity does not fall under de minimis restrictions
has not so far been able to get into the bank credit
loop
has well-conceived and promising business plans
already possesses at least 20% of the planned
developmental resources
41
H u n g a r yM I C R O C R E D I T P R O G R A M
The concrete results of 2009:
Requests received 145 000 Euros
Requests accepted 140 000 Euros
Granted credit 152 000 Euros
Average credit 20 000 Euros
Contact: Pter Csonka PhD Bcs-Kiskun County Foundation for Development of Enterprises
www.bacs-lea.hu [email protected] +36-76-485-585
42
S l o v e n i a
Start:up Slovenia is an all-Slovenian competition for start-up companies, which offers opportunities for start-up companies to present themselves, compete with their business models, connect with potential investors, and get professional support, financial rewards and publicity.
Profitability Initial resources for setting up the service Independence Soft factors Hard factors
S T A R T : U P S L O V E N I A
The competition is organized by Venture Factory, a business
incubator at the University of Maribor. It aims to stimulate
the development of entrepreneurial activity in Slovenia and
to promote the importance of innovative entrepreneurship.
Although it is an annual event, the learning process runs
throughout the year. In this way the entrepreneurs are not
only better informed, more skilled and better prepared
for the final competition, but also more innovative and
competitive on the market. Project Start:up Slovenia
therefore includes:
Start:up workshops, organized all around Slovenia
with the help of regional partners and focused on
business plan elaboration, funding options, talks
with entrepreneurs;
Start:up schools, organized in university centres and
conducted by experienced professionals who have
faced the challenges of entrepreneurship and have
the proper know-how in the field;
100% Start:up forum, an all-day event packed with
useful information on start-up business models,
networking, and examples of good practices;
the international conference on entrepreneurship
and innovation: PODIM.
The Start:up competition begins with the registration of
competitors companies which have been operating less
than three years, which have not received any major venture
capital investment, whose founders are still the majority
owners and are not part of a bigger well established
company, and whose operations, products and services
are based on their own knowledge and development. All
applications are then evaluated by the expert jury based on
the judging criteria. The winner is declared at the end of the
international business conference PODIM, and is presented
43
S l o v e n i aS T A R T : U P S L O V E N I A
with the honorary title Slovenian Start-up of the Year and
a grand prize.
All the services and events of Start:up Slovenia are free for
participants and competitors. At the last two competitions,
75 start-up companies entered the competition and 15
of them went to the finals; more than 2,000 participants
attended Start:up workshops, schools, forums and
Contact: Urban Lapajne Venture Factory (Tovarna podjemov)
http://www.tovarnapodjemov.org+386 2 229 42 78 [email protected]
conferences; both of the winning companies received
financial investment from a venture capital investor; the
winning companies also received the grand prize of 10,000
EUR, places in the CEED top class program, worth 5,000 EUR,
and increased visibility in public (at the last competition
there were more than 45 journalistic contributions in
different media).
44
I t a l y
We Tech Off extends the range and reach of I Tech Off, the first business incubator for the ICT sector developed in Emilia-Romagna, to other sectors, enforcing it with strong cooperation, and sharing and improving the contents, in particular in terms of internationalization, contacts with the market and networking with existing enterprises.
Profitability Initial resources for setting up the service Independence Soft factors Hard factors
W E T E C H O F F
Promoted by ASTER, the Consortium involving the Emilia-
Romagna Regional Government, 5 Universities, 3 National
Research Centres and the Entrepreneurial Associations of
the region, together with the collaboration of the Ministry
of Economic Development, the service is operative in the
Emilia Romagna Region from 2008 until 2012.
The development path of We Tech Off supports 60
entrepreneurial projects in the assessment phase of the
feasibility of the entrepreneurial idea (pre-incubation) and
40 enterprises in the starting phase of their business activity
(incubation).
The development path is structured in three phases: pre-
incubation, incubation and post-incubation, corresponding
to the different access conditions, services and aims of each
phase.
The pre-incubation phase lasts 5 months and is addressed
to those who are developing a business project and still
need to assess its feasibility. The incubation phase lasts
18 months, but can be extended for a further 6 months;
it is dedicated to neo-enterprises or to those close to
foundation.
The post-incubation phase lasts 12 months. It is aimed at
firms that have already completed the incubation phase
and offers a set of support services for business growth,
such as fund raising, personnel search and networking
activities.
AnalysisTo have access to the service, it is necessary to follow the
guidelines given for the presentation of a business project.
The call for proposals opened in 2008, on September 5th,
and will close in December 2011.
The purpose of We Tech Off is to promote entrepreneurship
culture, sustaining projects with strong innovative
characteristics. The business idea must be based on the
contribution of original scientific and/or technological
know-how, and provide for the application or the utilization
of a technology.
The actions designed to support the creation of new
companies create benefits for the territory, in terms of a
45
I t a l yW E T E C H O F F
technological boost and also in the improvement of the
competitiveness of the regional economy. These activities
also assure a direct increase in the employment levels in the
sectors of the various enterprises supported.
I Tech Off and We Tech Off have supported the creation of a
significant number of business projects, the establishment
of start-up companies, created many jobs and contributed
to Emilia-Romagnas GDP.
Innovation features mainly regard the development of
a well defined support path that has proven viability in
previous cases.
Contact: Aster Science Technology Business
Lucie [email protected] http://www.wetechoff.eu/
The transferable aspects include the organization model,
the service packages for each business development phase
and specific tools that have been developed to manage
support services, monitor enterprise progression, analyze
entrepreneurship spirit etc.
46
C z e c h R e p u b l i c
Business incubators are programs designed to accelerate the successful development of entrepreneurial companies through an array of business support resources and services, developed and orchestrated by incubator management and offered both in the incubator and through its network of contacts.
B U S I N E S S I N C U B A T O R S
The number of small and medium-sized innovative enterprises is one of the criteria of the economic level of a country. Starting a business is very difficult for small innovative firms; however these firms often have a huge profit potential and in the future they can create many new jobs and bring other economic effects. Business incubators are founded to support the establishment of innovative firms.
The business incubator is a facility (building), designed for new firms to help them in the starting phase of their entrepreneurial activity. It is space where advantageous conditions exist for starting firms. These advantages include for example low rent, a sharing of infrastructure, free services or services at discounted prices. The enterprise can stay there only for a limited period.
The business incubators offer support to entrepreneurs through the so-called one-stop-shop and by sharing various equipment. It can cause a decrease in the operating cost of firms. The incubators also increase firms survival rate and increase the growth possibilities of start-ups and small firms in the early stage of their development. The incubators also enable the transfer of ideas into commercial form, so they
have been used as an instrument to support innovations and technology transfer. Other tasks of incubators are to contribute to increasing competitiveness and assistance in the creation of spin-offs. The incubators often serve as a catalyst for the commercialization of technology and the results of research. Business incubators also facilitate communication among incubated firms and so these firms can consult about shared problems and can advise each other. What is more, the range of products developed by incubated firms may be complementary, e.g. firm A produces hardware and firm B develops software for it.
ResultsIn the Czech Republic incubators have been operating since the early 1990s and at present there are about 30 incubators. Thanks to support from structural funds their number is continually increasing. In the Czech Republic they are often part of a science and technology park. Incubators can be established by municipalities, regions, non-profit or interested organizations and by private firms. The large number of founding bodies is one of the reasons why there is no accurate list of incubators. Only a minority of business incubators in the Czech Republic are aimed at innovative firms. Most incubators serve all types of firms.
Business incubators in the Czech Republic can be supported from several resources. The most important is the PROSPERITY programme which is a part of the Operative Programme
Profitability Initial resources for setting up the service Independence Soft factors Hard factors
47
C z e c h R e p u b l i cB U S I N E S S I N C U B A T O R S
for Enterprise and Innovation. The aims of the PROSPERITY programme are infrastructure support to strengthen research and development links to industry, infrastructure
support for industrial research, technological development and innovation, and the improvement of the environment for technologically oriented companies.
48
H u n g a r y
The Knowledge and Technology Transfer Office at the University of Debrecen aims to facilitate the transfer of research results achieved at higher education institutions into business and industry, as well as to spread innovation culture among those working and studying at these institutions.
Profitability Initial resources for setting up the service Independence Soft factors Hard factors
T H E K N O W L E D G E A N D T E C H N O L O G Y T R A N S F E R O F F I C E A T T H E U N I V E R S I T Y O F D E B R E C E N
UD TTO facilitates the application of R&D results and
technologies developed at the University of Debrecen.
As a non-profit transfer organization, UD TTO plays a
mediator role between the university, companies and
investors.
Main activities: Supporting innovative ideas and projects
Managing the knowledge map of the szak-Alfld
Region
Developing and maintaining a network with R&D
enterprises in the region
Creating an online technology search service and an
online-project monitoring system
Full management of intellectual property
Supporting spin-off foundations
Investment promotion in the R&D intensive sectors
of the region
Licensing
Initiation of innovation training, extending
innovation culture
Creating an international technology transfer
network - adopting international good practices,
cooperation with international research and
technology transfer institutes
Regulations for managing IP at University of Debrecen According to the Intellectual Property Management
Regulations the Technology Transfer Office of the University
of Debrecen is responsible for managing IP created at the
University.
Figure 1 shows the innovation management system of the
University of Debrecen.
Achievements UD TTO prepared the knowledge map of the
University of Debrecen and as a result, a database
was created with detailed information relating to
210 research groups
A project evaluation system was developed to
screen university projects
R&D agreements to be signed by the University have
to be reviewed by the TTO
49
H u n g a r yT H E K N O W L E D G E A N D T E C H N O L O G Y T R A N S F E R O F F I C E A T T H E U N I V E R S I T Y O F D E B R E C E N
Partnership agreements were signed between the
University and R&D&I companies
UD TTO manages 23 technologies and patent
applications in 2010
Nine spin-off companies have been founded in the
past 5 years
Contact: University of Debrecen Knowledge and Technology Transfer Office
E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://detti.unideb.hu
Licence negotiations have been started to utilize the
Universitys IP
A spin-off training programme has been organized
in 2010 for graduate students interested in
entrepreneurship
Figure 1:
Intellectual
property
management
and project
evaluation
system at the
University of
Debrecen
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E UT H E E U R O P E A N I N V E S T M E N T F U N D
The European Investment Fund (EIF) was founded in 1994 as a joint venture between three shareholder groups: the European Investment Bank (EIB) (62%), the European Commission (EC) (29%) and a number of European financial institutions (30 from 17 countries, making up 9%). EIFs main task then was to provide financial institutions with infrastructure and guarantee instruments for SME finance.
Profitability (N/A)Initial resources for setting up the service Independence Soft factors Hard factors
In June 2000, EIF was restructured and its shareholding structure was modified with the EIB becoming the majority shareholder, culminating in the formation of the EIB Group. Since the 2000 restructuring, EIF has continued to provide portfolio guarantees for institutions involved in SME finance.
EIF is Europes leading developer of risk financing for entrepreneurship and innovation. Uniquely