First SME Technology Days
Some 800 participants from 21 European countries and Israel attended the "First SME Technology Days" held in Brussels on 30 and 31 October 1996. Organized by DG XII (Science, research and development) of the European Commission, the aim of the event was to increase awareness among European SMEs of the opportunities available for participation in Community research programmes. Particular emphasis was placed on the "Technology Stimulation Measures for SMEs", specifically designed to facilitate participation by SMEs in the Fourth RTD Framework Programme. Participants included a large number of SMEs (35%), and various intermediaries (30%). The event programme featured plenary presentations, a panel discussion and parallel workshops covering the major research areas under the Fourth Framework Programme. Workshops also addressed the exploitation of results (INNOVATION programme) and the financing of exploitation using venture capital. With debate on research policy in the EU increasing in the run-up to the Fifth Framework Programme, participants were also able to hear at first hand the latest developments in Community policy in research and innovation. Keynote speakers included: Mrs. Edith Cresson, Commissioner responsible for research, education and training; Mr. Michael Fahy of the Irish Department of Enterprise and Employment (Office of Science and Technology); Mr. Jan Kamminga, President of the European Association for the craft industry and SMEs (UEAPME); Mr. Umberto Scapagnini, President of the European Parliament's Committee on Research, Technological Development and Energy; Mr. Vicente Parajon Collada, Deputy Director General of DG XIII (Telecommunications, information market and exploitation of research) of the European Commission; and Mr. Von Molke, Director-General of DG XXIII (Enterprise policy, distributive trades and tourism). Presentations from successful partners in current RTD projects allowed the participants to have a privileged insight into the types of projects that could be funded and into the benefits and challenges arising from such projects. Advice on the exploitation of the results of projects (possibilities for raising capital, legal protection and transfer of results) was also available. As a special feature of the event, participants in the SME Technology Days were given the opportunity to meet with Commission officials from the specific RTD programmes and explore opportunities available in their field. In the "Info Pavilion", some 150 Assistance Officers from both the Commission and national representation organizations (CRAFT National Focal Points, Innovation Relay Centres, Industrial research organizations, etc.) were available to guide participants. More than 1,000 bilateral meetings were held, during which participants were able to discuss their project ideas in depth. A "post-conference service" will ensure follow-up of these meetings by the relevant local support organizations. In addition, dedicated information services designed to inform and assist EU organizations in participating in Community research were demonstrated throughout the event. These included CORDIS (The Community Research and Development Information Service), ARCADE and the I'M-EUROPE WWW server.