Establishing services enhancing the innovation management capacity of the Slovak SMEs in the Enterprise Europe Network in 2015-2016

Project Information

H-BISS Slovakia 2016

Grant agreement ID: 674847

DOI

10.3030/674847

Project closed

EC signature date 21 August 2015

Start date 1 January 2015

End date 31 December 2016

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 154 962,50

EU contribution

€ 154 962,50

Coordinated by

BIC BRATISLAVA SPOL SRO
Slovakia

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - H-BISS Slovakia 2016 (Establishing services enhancing the innovation management capacity of the Slovak SMEs in the Enterprise Europe Network in 2015-2016)

Reporting period: 2015-01-01 to 2016-12-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Main objective of the action is improving the innovation management capacity of two SME target groups: (1) Beneficiaries of the SME Instrument by provision of the specialised Key Account Management (KAM) services for selection of world leading coach and implementation of coaching plan, and (2) SMEs with significant innovation activities and a high potential for internationalisation through the targeted Enhancing the innovation management capacity (EIMC) services. The proposed action aimed at implementing 65 seven-day service packages in 2015-2016.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

During 2015-2016 the KAM was provided to the Slovak SMEs benefitting from the Horizon 2020 SME Instrument. Based on the needs assessment performed by standardised tool smEMPOWER the key account manager identified main challenges for coaching, prepared a list of recommended coach, established contact to selected coach, supported communication between SME and coach in preparation of implementation of coaching plan and supported interaction between SME and coach during process of coaching.

Most of project activities was dedicated to targeted EIMC services to high-profile innovative SMEs from the whole region of Slovakia. The certified innovation experts are delivering the EIMC services according to the IMP3rove methodology. The services were implemented in form of standardised 7-day packages consisting of getting acquainted with IMP3rove and the SME, meeting and mobilising the SME, executing the IMP3rove assessment, developing and presenting the recommendations, facilitating the implementation of actions, monitoring and measuring the implementation of actions. Synergies with the traditional EEN services on internationalisation and innovation were implemented during or after delivering the service packages.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The KAM services was provided to 8 Slovak SMEs (all Phase 1 projects). The coaching was focused on business (6) and organisational (2) aspects of future SME development. Seven 3-day coaching sessions were supported by the project. One session after the needs assessment is postponed to next period of the project (2017-2018) due to the EC contracting frame.

The EIMC service packages was provided to 83 companies. 49 service packages were closed during the project and the ongoing packages (34) will be concluded in the next period of the project (2017-2018).

The project has met its initial overall objectives, although the number of KAM services depends on success rate of the Slovak SMEs in SME Instrument. The unused resources were transferred to EIMC field where the number of assisted clients was increased comparing to the initial targets.

Regional location of EIMC clients