Periodic Reporting for period 1 - I2 BENE 2015-2016 (Innovation Internationalisation services by BENE 2015-2016 – I²BENE 2015-2016)
Período documentado: 2015-01-01 hasta 2016-12-31
The main objective of this project was twofold: on the one hand, to offer services aimed at enhancing the innovation management capacities of SMEs (EIMC services). On the other hand, to support the SME Instrument beneficiaries with the KAM and coaching services, both under the 2015-2016 contract period. These services were addressed to SMEs based in the Brussels-Capital Region and holding significant innovation activities and a high potential for internationalisation. The purpose of the action was contributing to the overarching European purpose of a smart growth, achieved by increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of investments in research, development and innovation.
Studies have been carried out demonstrating that the lack of innovation management capacity results in an important barrier to creating economic impact (competitiveness, growth and jobs) from innovation activities in SMEs. The need for efficient and effective innovation management skills is one of the key issues SMEs are facing in Europe , together with insufficient marketing of innovation/innovative products and services marketing. The action aimed at tackling these elements in a region where innovative capacities and internationalisation are of outmost importance for companies to stay competive at international level.
Studies have been carried out demonstrating that the lack of innovation management capacity results in an important barrier to creating economic impact (competitiveness, growth and jobs) from innovation activities in SMEs. The need for efficient and effective innovation management skills is one of the key issues SMEs are facing in Europe , together with insufficient marketing of innovation/innovative products and services marketing. The action aimed at tackling these elements in a region where innovative capacities and internationalisation are of outmost importance for companies to stay competive at international level.
For the 2015-2016 period, ABE acted on behalf of the Brussels-based consortium as the service provider of the innovation services dedicated to selected players headquartered in the region, which fulfilled the criteria set for such kind of services.
The success of this action – and therefore the impact generated - is achieved under a qualitative and quantitative points of view.
In terms of QUALITY for the SME-I beneficiaries:
- When granted the 50K for their phase 1 SME-I, the companies immediately had someone (=the KAM) to rely on for any questions related to their project and the next steps. This has proven to be very appreciated by the companies.
- In a very short timeframe, the KAM has been able to assess the main needs of the company and to identify THE coach that will help them boost their growth beyond their current boundaries. This has been a sometimes burdensome task for the KAM, but has yielded very good results.
- The feedback on the coaching service has been very positive so far – thanks to the fact that the right coach was found, the company has benefited from real-added value for their business
- The KAM’s availability during the coaching process and for the submission of the report at the end of the SME-I phase 1 FS period, has also proven to be efficient for the companies.
In terms of QUALITY for the EIMC services (although premature to assess the long-term impact of services delivered during 2015-2016) :
The benefit to have an objective/external view on:
• where the company stands now and where it wants to be in the future
• Identify the company’s strength and weaknesses in terms of innovation management
• Establish how innovation-oriented the company is
• Bring the company’s innovation capabilities to the next level
• Take decisions based on facts and priority areas for improvement
• Challenge the company’s vision and objectives
• Start-up companies used the services in order to structure their innovation processes.
In terms of QUANTITY:
ABE fully completed the KAM service for the SME Instrument beneficiary expected to be granted under the 2015-2016 contract period and was notified – on top of this – of 3 additional successful cases in the second semester of 2016. Several Seals of Excellence in the Brussels Capital Region were as well supported towards other options, including where possible COSME services or discussion with ABE financial experts for further actions (investors/assessment of financial needs) and meeting with NCP-team for signposting to regional funding agency.
For the EIMC services, ABE successfully fulfilled the number of cases opened under the 2015-2016 contract period and planned (16), in other terms the number of clients benefitting from these services. Among them, 9 companies completed the EIMC journey, while 7 are still on-going cases since the kind of support requested to the innovation advisor is extremely demanding.
ABE deployed the action in line with the IS-Implementation Strategy and notably by applying the funnel approach. This approach was adopted both for the communication (general / universal awareness raising on a panoply of supports and channels down to targeted communication to a very precise community of players) and for the identification and above-all selection of companies entitled to access these services. Cooperation with local stakeholder was key to the identification of the suitable innovative SME community.
The success of this action – and therefore the impact generated - is achieved under a qualitative and quantitative points of view.
In terms of QUALITY for the SME-I beneficiaries:
- When granted the 50K for their phase 1 SME-I, the companies immediately had someone (=the KAM) to rely on for any questions related to their project and the next steps. This has proven to be very appreciated by the companies.
- In a very short timeframe, the KAM has been able to assess the main needs of the company and to identify THE coach that will help them boost their growth beyond their current boundaries. This has been a sometimes burdensome task for the KAM, but has yielded very good results.
- The feedback on the coaching service has been very positive so far – thanks to the fact that the right coach was found, the company has benefited from real-added value for their business
- The KAM’s availability during the coaching process and for the submission of the report at the end of the SME-I phase 1 FS period, has also proven to be efficient for the companies.
In terms of QUALITY for the EIMC services (although premature to assess the long-term impact of services delivered during 2015-2016) :
The benefit to have an objective/external view on:
• where the company stands now and where it wants to be in the future
• Identify the company’s strength and weaknesses in terms of innovation management
• Establish how innovation-oriented the company is
• Bring the company’s innovation capabilities to the next level
• Take decisions based on facts and priority areas for improvement
• Challenge the company’s vision and objectives
• Start-up companies used the services in order to structure their innovation processes.
In terms of QUANTITY:
ABE fully completed the KAM service for the SME Instrument beneficiary expected to be granted under the 2015-2016 contract period and was notified – on top of this – of 3 additional successful cases in the second semester of 2016. Several Seals of Excellence in the Brussels Capital Region were as well supported towards other options, including where possible COSME services or discussion with ABE financial experts for further actions (investors/assessment of financial needs) and meeting with NCP-team for signposting to regional funding agency.
For the EIMC services, ABE successfully fulfilled the number of cases opened under the 2015-2016 contract period and planned (16), in other terms the number of clients benefitting from these services. Among them, 9 companies completed the EIMC journey, while 7 are still on-going cases since the kind of support requested to the innovation advisor is extremely demanding.
ABE deployed the action in line with the IS-Implementation Strategy and notably by applying the funnel approach. This approach was adopted both for the communication (general / universal awareness raising on a panoply of supports and channels down to targeted communication to a very precise community of players) and for the identification and above-all selection of companies entitled to access these services. Cooperation with local stakeholder was key to the identification of the suitable innovative SME community.
ABE deployed the action in line with the IS-Implementation Strategy and notably by applying the funnel approach. This approach was adopted both for the communication (general / universal awareness raising on a panoply of supports and channels down to targeted communication to a very precise community of players) and for the identification and above-all selection of companies entitled to access these services. Cooperation with local stakeholder was key to the identification of the suitable innovative SME community.
An important aspect to highlight is the progressive shift made over the contract period from the audit / assessment aspect of the service towards a deeper and more demanding accompanying approach. In other terms, even though this is not the case for all EIMC served companies, some of them requested a very time-consuming support to the innovation advisor in charge of the business case.
An important aspect to highlight is the progressive shift made over the contract period from the audit / assessment aspect of the service towards a deeper and more demanding accompanying approach. In other terms, even though this is not the case for all EIMC served companies, some of them requested a very time-consuming support to the innovation advisor in charge of the business case.