Periodic Reporting for period 2 - GreenOffshoreTech (Cross-border and Cross-sectoral collaboration to support SMEs and the development of innovative products, processes or services for Green Offshore Production and Transport)
Período documentado: 2023-03-01 hasta 2024-10-31
GreenOffshoreTech – Making Offshore Production and Transport green, clean and sustainable.
One of the challenges of the European Union is to support the development of emerging industries, which will provide the growth and employment of the future.
GreenOffshoreTech aimed to support innovation in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and the development of emerging Blue Economy industries by enabling new cross-sectoral and cross-border value chains, addressing shared challenges, and deploying key enabling technologies (KETs). The project sought to make offshore production and transport green, clean and sustainable, contributing to a resource-efficient economy and EUs Green Deal.
The overall objective of the GreenOffshoreTech project was to facilitate and boost cross-sectoral innovation among SMEs from 8 sectors - 4 offshore sectors (wind, aquaculture, oil & gas, waterborne transport) and 4 key enabling technology sectors (advanced materials, advanced manufacturing, Industry 4.0 environmental technologies) to drive the creation of new products, processes or services. The focus was on transferring innovations between sectors and reshaping industrial value chains in Europe.
Key objectives have been
1. To analyse the challenges and needs of the four offshore industry sectors in order to define topics for SME Innovation projects,
2. To establish an improved business environment for cross-sectoral collaborations across 16 regions and 7 countries in Europe, led by clusters,
3. To support SMEs directly by funding at least 82 SME-driven Innovation Projects,
4. To support SMEs directly by offering a range of dedicated Business Support Services and an open space for cross-sectoral value chain innovation,
5. To validate the use of Large-scale Demonstrators (LSD) to boost cross-sectoral innovation in SMEs and support regional development,
6. To disseminate and communicate strategies, methodologies and tools for facilitating cross-sectoral and cross-regional innovation to various stakeholders, including policy makers.
One of the challenges of the European Union is to support the development of emerging industries, which will provide the growth and employment of the future.
GreenOffshoreTech aimed to support innovation in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and the development of emerging Blue Economy industries by enabling new cross-sectoral and cross-border value chains, addressing shared challenges, and deploying key enabling technologies (KETs). The project sought to make offshore production and transport green, clean and sustainable, contributing to a resource-efficient economy and EUs Green Deal.
The overall objective of the GreenOffshoreTech project was to facilitate and boost cross-sectoral innovation among SMEs from 8 sectors - 4 offshore sectors (wind, aquaculture, oil & gas, waterborne transport) and 4 key enabling technology sectors (advanced materials, advanced manufacturing, Industry 4.0 environmental technologies) to drive the creation of new products, processes or services. The focus was on transferring innovations between sectors and reshaping industrial value chains in Europe.
Key objectives have been
1. To analyse the challenges and needs of the four offshore industry sectors in order to define topics for SME Innovation projects,
2. To establish an improved business environment for cross-sectoral collaborations across 16 regions and 7 countries in Europe, led by clusters,
3. To support SMEs directly by funding at least 82 SME-driven Innovation Projects,
4. To support SMEs directly by offering a range of dedicated Business Support Services and an open space for cross-sectoral value chain innovation,
5. To validate the use of Large-scale Demonstrators (LSD) to boost cross-sectoral innovation in SMEs and support regional development,
6. To disseminate and communicate strategies, methodologies and tools for facilitating cross-sectoral and cross-regional innovation to various stakeholders, including policy makers.
The GreenOffshoreTech 3-Phase Accelerator Programme
The key activity of the GreenOffshoreTech Consortium to support SMEs was the successful establishment and delivery of the GreenOffshoreTech 3-phase Accelerator Programme for SMEs (PHASE 1, PHASE 2, PHASE 3), which included:
1. 2.96 million EUR in financial support for the development of new products, processes, or services though cascade funding (up to 60,000 EUR per SME Innovation Project) via two open Calls for Proposals.
2. A comprehensive Business Support Programme with eight Business Support Services, including business & tech academy, matchmaking events, access to finance, internationalization, branding, investor pitching training, investor round and tailored one-to-one business coaching.
3. An open collaboration space to facilitate cross-sectoral and cross-regional technology transfer and foster future partnerships,
4. The GreenOffshoreTech Innovation Award and Prize (40,000 EUR) to recognise outstanding achievements.
Each awarded SME Innovation Project participated in our 3-phase Accelerator Programme, focused on technology development and commercialisation strategy:
₋ PHASE 1: 83 projects received 5,000 EUR each to develop an Initial Business Plan,
₋ PHASE 2: 55 projects received 45,000 EUR each to design and build prototypes,
₋ PHASE 3: 32 projects received 10,000 EUR each to create a draft plan for promotion and exploitation activities.
Each SME Project went through a competitive selection process between phases, with outcomes evaluated by international experts. PHASE 1 and PHASE 2 were complemented by our Business Support Services.
The GreenOffshoreTech 3-phase Accelerator Program was prepared and delivered directly by all GreenOffshoreTech Consortium partners, which comprised 12 European partners from 16 regions across seven countries, including nine European clusters, two SMEs and one research institute.
In Period 1, the first six months focused on preparing the GreenOffshoreTech 3-phase Accelerator Programme and calls, including identifying SME challenges in offshore industries, defining call topics, preparing call documents, preparing a Business Support Service Programme and setting up the collaboration space. The first Call for Proposals (CALL#1) was launched on 6 April 2022, with 38 proposals received. Winner SMEs were selected and contracted, leading to 29 SME Innovation Projects and the start of the first Accelerator Programme in Oct 2022 (PHASE 1) and in Feb 2023 (PHASE 2). The second Call for Proposals was published on 10 January 2023.
In Period 2, we focused on delivering the 3-phase Accelerator Programme to the Winner SMEs from CALL#1 (PHASE 2, PHASE 3) and CALL#2 (PHASE 1, PHASE 2, PHASE 3). The first three months were spent evaluating 88 proposals, selecting and contracting 54 Winner SMEs for CALL#2, doubling the numbers of proposals and grants compared to CALL#1. The GreenOffshoreTech Innovation Award was launched in April 2024, concluding with a public pitch competition in June 2024. Call#2 closed in October 2024.
In parallel, the project was promoted through communication and dissemination efforts, highlighting Winner SMEs on the website, LinkedIn, at exhibitions, and during the 2-day GreenOffshoreTech Final Event where 30 Winner SMEs from 7 countries participated and showcased their innovations.
Notable outreach included industry fairs (e.g. SMM2024), EISMEA and recognition in an OECD report.
The key activity of the GreenOffshoreTech Consortium to support SMEs was the successful establishment and delivery of the GreenOffshoreTech 3-phase Accelerator Programme for SMEs (PHASE 1, PHASE 2, PHASE 3), which included:
1. 2.96 million EUR in financial support for the development of new products, processes, or services though cascade funding (up to 60,000 EUR per SME Innovation Project) via two open Calls for Proposals.
2. A comprehensive Business Support Programme with eight Business Support Services, including business & tech academy, matchmaking events, access to finance, internationalization, branding, investor pitching training, investor round and tailored one-to-one business coaching.
3. An open collaboration space to facilitate cross-sectoral and cross-regional technology transfer and foster future partnerships,
4. The GreenOffshoreTech Innovation Award and Prize (40,000 EUR) to recognise outstanding achievements.
Each awarded SME Innovation Project participated in our 3-phase Accelerator Programme, focused on technology development and commercialisation strategy:
₋ PHASE 1: 83 projects received 5,000 EUR each to develop an Initial Business Plan,
₋ PHASE 2: 55 projects received 45,000 EUR each to design and build prototypes,
₋ PHASE 3: 32 projects received 10,000 EUR each to create a draft plan for promotion and exploitation activities.
Each SME Project went through a competitive selection process between phases, with outcomes evaluated by international experts. PHASE 1 and PHASE 2 were complemented by our Business Support Services.
The GreenOffshoreTech 3-phase Accelerator Program was prepared and delivered directly by all GreenOffshoreTech Consortium partners, which comprised 12 European partners from 16 regions across seven countries, including nine European clusters, two SMEs and one research institute.
In Period 1, the first six months focused on preparing the GreenOffshoreTech 3-phase Accelerator Programme and calls, including identifying SME challenges in offshore industries, defining call topics, preparing call documents, preparing a Business Support Service Programme and setting up the collaboration space. The first Call for Proposals (CALL#1) was launched on 6 April 2022, with 38 proposals received. Winner SMEs were selected and contracted, leading to 29 SME Innovation Projects and the start of the first Accelerator Programme in Oct 2022 (PHASE 1) and in Feb 2023 (PHASE 2). The second Call for Proposals was published on 10 January 2023.
In Period 2, we focused on delivering the 3-phase Accelerator Programme to the Winner SMEs from CALL#1 (PHASE 2, PHASE 3) and CALL#2 (PHASE 1, PHASE 2, PHASE 3). The first three months were spent evaluating 88 proposals, selecting and contracting 54 Winner SMEs for CALL#2, doubling the numbers of proposals and grants compared to CALL#1. The GreenOffshoreTech Innovation Award was launched in April 2024, concluding with a public pitch competition in June 2024. Call#2 closed in October 2024.
In parallel, the project was promoted through communication and dissemination efforts, highlighting Winner SMEs on the website, LinkedIn, at exhibitions, and during the 2-day GreenOffshoreTech Final Event where 30 Winner SMEs from 7 countries participated and showcased their innovations.
Notable outreach included industry fairs (e.g. SMM2024), EISMEA and recognition in an OECD report.
The GreenOffshoreTech project has ended, and we are proud to report its significant impact on Supported SMEs, regions and clusters, as summaries in the GreenOffshoreTech LSD Impact Assessment Report (deliverable D5.6 by Scaberia AS, with detailed figures). Here are some key highlights:
GreenOffshoreTech has notably boosted the Innovation Performance of Supported SMEs, resulting in 79 new or significant improved products, 47 services and 51 processes. It also led to various IP protections, enhancing their competitive edge in global markets. The project improved SMEs Business Environment by fostering new partnerships across sectors and countries, creating new B2B agreements, and driving the development of new industrial value chains while fostering a culture of innovation. Additionally, it significantly enhanced the ability of Supported SMEs to secure additional public and private funding, increasing their innovation budgets.
The broader impact has been substantial. The project stimulated economic growth by helping SMEs generate new revenue streams and create new jobs. It contributed to regional innovation ecosystems by aligning with Smart Specialisation Strategies and promoting international collaboration. Through its sustainability focus, GreenOffshoreTech advanced the reduction of offshore industries environmental impact, addressing socio-economic needs and societal expectations for cleaner and greener technologies.
The project strengthened regional clusters by enhancing their networks and service offerings. By adapting its approach to broaden participation, GreenOffshoreTech demonstrated the value of flexibility in addressing regional and national priorities while maintaining its overarching goal of fostering sustainable innovation.
In conclusion, GreenOffshoreTech has set a benchmark for supporting innovation in SMEs, leaving a lasting impact on regional economies, industry practices, the environment and the emerging Blue Economy.
GreenOffshoreTech has notably boosted the Innovation Performance of Supported SMEs, resulting in 79 new or significant improved products, 47 services and 51 processes. It also led to various IP protections, enhancing their competitive edge in global markets. The project improved SMEs Business Environment by fostering new partnerships across sectors and countries, creating new B2B agreements, and driving the development of new industrial value chains while fostering a culture of innovation. Additionally, it significantly enhanced the ability of Supported SMEs to secure additional public and private funding, increasing their innovation budgets.
The broader impact has been substantial. The project stimulated economic growth by helping SMEs generate new revenue streams and create new jobs. It contributed to regional innovation ecosystems by aligning with Smart Specialisation Strategies and promoting international collaboration. Through its sustainability focus, GreenOffshoreTech advanced the reduction of offshore industries environmental impact, addressing socio-economic needs and societal expectations for cleaner and greener technologies.
The project strengthened regional clusters by enhancing their networks and service offerings. By adapting its approach to broaden participation, GreenOffshoreTech demonstrated the value of flexibility in addressing regional and national priorities while maintaining its overarching goal of fostering sustainable innovation.
In conclusion, GreenOffshoreTech has set a benchmark for supporting innovation in SMEs, leaving a lasting impact on regional economies, industry practices, the environment and the emerging Blue Economy.