On the KAM scheme, all clients benefitted from the coaching scheme which proved to be very useful. Both KAM were able to follow closely the work of coaches and to provide additional services (so-called Phase 3) to companies. For instance, one of the phase 1 although not granted for phase 2 (but Seal of Excellence awarded) was able to secure a strategic investment during the course of the project as well as an alternative funding through ERDF and partial loan for a slightly less ambitious phase 2 development.
On EIMC services, 59 SMEs were mentored (fully achieved) and about 40 more on-going. Most EIMC clients also had concrete benefits out of the supporting scheme: increase of turnover, improved profitability, better strategic planning, secure investment and funding, more efficient human resources management and involvement …
One should also mention that the innovation concerned not only technological but many other forms of innovation were covered: innovation in services, in the way the company is organised, in process as well as in marketing. If new products and new services were launched in the market as a result other achievements within those participating SMEs were measured which contributed to create impact.
Many sectors were concerned, with some highly technological like healthcare, microtechnology, ICT, but other very traditional like metal work, automotive industry, stone exploitation, textile, wood, Plastics and composites industry.
EIMC services have in particular contributed to position the EEN differently in the regional ecosystem as a more professional and more added-value services players and yet with a new approach differentiating from other schemes. It’s however a pity that the EIMC is treated by the European Commission and EASME as a “secondary” scheme vs. KAM where it has tremendous potential to change the image and the impact of the Network in the regions. EIMC should be supported more in the future.
