While the number of implemented KAM schemes depends fully and only on the success of the proposals submitted by the SMEs to the SME Instrument, the WP 2 services depend on the effectiveness and engagement of the EIMC consultants. Therefore the EIMC consultants were promoting the WP 2 services during various events (EEN trainings and workshops for the clients) and using various means (newsletters, e-mails, direct meetings, cooperation with Regional Contact Points - presentation of the scheme during their events etc.). Close cooperation with NCPs and their regional offices created a complementary support chain for Innovative SMEs with growth potential. The two Networks supplement each other in the areas of their expertise, which contribute to the increase of the number of SMEI proposals from Poland.
As a result even more companies applied for the scheme than previously expected and they will be provided the services in 2017. The partners of KAM2West Poland also carry out the standard EEN services and this gave them the opportunity to carefully select the clients for EIMC schemes.
In general the WP 1 and WP 2 services were implemented successfully.
The KAM services were standardized and each step was reported in the Case Tracker, while in the case of EIMC services the consortium had to develop the standards to ensure that the services delivered by all partners were of similar quality.
According to the plan, the consortium’s 2-years target were 38 services in total, out of which 6 were foreseen for KAM services. The partners implemented 7 full KAM services, and additional 1 which was not finalised due to problems with the client , and 16 full EIMC schemes. Some other EIMC schemes were initiated in 2016 and will be finalised in the next reporting period. Partner 4 DARR has not reported any EIMC services out of 13 planned due to a serious health problems of the EIMC consultant. However, 4 EIMC schemes were implemented by this partner and finalised in early 2017. So in total services were delivered for 28companies (20 EIMC schemes and 8 KAM schemes) but only 23 reported as full finalised cases.
The KAM cases were provided to the Phase 1 SMEI beneficiaries. Some of them are now considering applying for Phase 2 of the SME Instrument.