Irish SMEs play a vital role in the growth of the Irish economy and the success of Irish companies at a European level validates the supports provided by Enterprise Ireland to develop high growth, highly innovative SMEs that have the innovative solutions and capability to win Horizon 2020 funding. The commercialisation of their project outcomes will be critical in driving these companies to further international growth.
Enterprise Europe Network Ireland’s KAM activity supported 47 SMEs during the 2017 and 2018 period.
We had no uptake from SMEs regarding EIMC activity. A decision was made not to engage with the EIMC activity as a similar activity was already being carried out by another department within Enterprise Ireland during 2017-2018.
The Work Programme’s implementation has helped meet the needs as outlined in the Implementation Strategy.
Enterprise Ireland's priority is the achievement of export sales growth from Irish-owned companies. Export sales growth leads to an increase in demand for Irish goods and services and increases the flow of income into the Irish economy. This is fundamental to job creation and maintenance in Ireland.
The agency works with entrepreneurs and business people across the full business development spectrum - from early-stage entrepreneurs, to established business owners and Irish multinational companies. It must be noted though that as a Seal of Excellence beneficiary, it does not mean automatic support.
Heretofore, we did develop an initial engagement strategy with the Seal of Excellence type companies and letters of offering of the EIMC etc was targeted to several companies. These companies were selected through meetings with SME Instrument NCP’s based in EI.
However, it is our intention to engage with the Seal of excellence and other selected company types under the EIMC during 2019. To enable a more positive approach and outcome, EI has established an Innovation department in recent times as mentioned elsewhere and it is our intention to progress matters to engage closely with this new department to align our EEN / EIMC activities with their support offerings.
As an example: EEN would carry out a needs analysis with the selected company under the EIMC package, but work with the new department to provide the supports associated with the analysis outcomes where appropriate e.g as part of a support package – coaching on the various levels, business, organisation, IP etc. We would also provide back up support in relation to suite of profiling opportunities and partnering searches in general.
Members of the KAM meet with members of the H2020 at regular departmental meetings held in Enterprise Ireland and report to the same Department Manager. Members of the Consortium are invited to the Annual KAM Meeting held in Brussels and if not available they send a representative. People involved in the KAM attend the EEN Ireland Consortium meetings involving the other Network Partners, the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, the Cork Chamber of Commerce and the Local Enterprise Offices. With this process established it provides an advantage and benefit to the SME in the main.
