After 24 months of activity 36 cases (28 phase 1 and 8 phase 2 cases) regarding SME Instrument applicants in Piemonte, Liguria and Valle d’Aosta were activated, among which 25 have already been evaluated or coaching activity already started, 2 chose not to proceed with the coaching activity, 1 was interrupted due to Grant Agreement administrative problems, 1 case was interrupted due to late coach contract signature from EASME and 7 cases are still open as they were assigned in late 2016 (last cut off in November 2016) or are phase 2 projects for whom a coaching activity has already started and will so go on in the future according to the 12 possible coaching days.
SMEs were offered Key account Management Services aimed at identifying and sourcing appropriate coaches. 8 appointed Key Account managers supported and facilitated a coaching service throughout phase 1 and phase 2 of the SME Instrument. The main objective of the action was to provide assistance on the administrative aspects in phase 1, match the coach, interact with company and coach, as well as provide support services for the successful presentation of the innovation project in phase 2.
As regards to “WP2 Enhancing Innovation Management Capacity for innovating SMEs”, after 24 months of activity 60 EIMC services were activated and concluded in Piemonte, Liguria and Valle d’Aosta, 4 started in 2014 pilot action and were concluded in 2015. There is just one case service package still ongoing from 2015 because of administrative problems. 5 cases were interrupted due to companies internal reorganisation problems or because the activity proposed was perceived too time consuming. 10 appointed experts supported and facilitated the service by adopting IMP3rove methodology.
