CORDIS Archive

May, 1998

Editorial Innovation Programme News Results of third call for Innovation projects * CRIS'98 conference * Innovation Management Techniques conferences * Debating technological change * IRC case study: software to sell ceramics * Innovation project: Growing intelligence * Innovation Financing: new I-TEC members Policy News 1997 Science and Technology Indicators report * JRC: new European Technology Transfer Initiative Notebook Fifth Framework Programme * European Technology Facility * Financial Support for SMEs * Rules for Participation in 5FP * Creating Innovation Environments Dossier Biotechnology Programme Briefing ESPRIT: High-Performance Computing Publications and Conferences

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Editorial

SMEs and New Technology

SMEs account for over 99.8% of all European businesses. They are a key source of future European employment and prosperity.

In terms of how many times it participates in EU-funded research, the SME sector is now an equal partner with large companies, universities and research centres. In the Innovation Programme itself, 53% of all projects have been led by an SME.

In the field of biotechnology, SMEs' most important role may not be as a direct source of employment and growth, but as the source of the new technologies which are essential to the continuing competitiveness of Europe's more mature industries.

But in biotechnology, as in other fields, young high-tech companies find it too hard to attract the financial backing they need. The I-TEC initiative, and the newly-established Biotechnology and Finance Forum, represent attempts to stimulate improved support from venture capital for the commercial exploitation of European inventions. The JRC's new technology transfer initiative should also improve SMEs' access to very advanced research facilities.

Of course, not all SMEs are technology suppliers. A second important group contains the smaller enterprises which must exploit, develop and spread the use of new technologies, if Europe is to benefit fully from its world-class research. The ESPRIT programme's HPCN initiative offers an excellent example of the way in which the take-up of new technologies by smaller firms can be successfully promoted.

Edith Cresson