InnoManage BB 2017-2018

Project Information

InnoManage BB

Grant agreement ID: 740232

DOI

10.3030/740232

Project closed

EC signature date 27 April 2017

Start date 1 January 2017

End date 31 December 2018

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 147 887,50

EU contribution

€ 147 887,50

Coordinated by

BERLIN PARTNER FUR WIRTSCHAFT UND TECHNOLOGIE GMBH
Germany

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - InnoManage BB (InnoManage BB 2017-2018)

Reporting period: 2017-01-01 to 2018-12-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The overall aim of the action is to help to enhance and accelerate the economic returns from innovation in Europe, by increasing the innovation management capabilities of SMEs. The project sought to address and strengthen the area of innovation management for innovative SMEs in the region of Berlin and Brandenburg. As identified by the European Commission, innovation management is a key area for companies and the inability to manage these processes effectively is a significant barrier to SME innovation and their competitiveness. This was the context in which we attempted to enhance the innovation competence of Berlin and Brandenburg based companies.

The first objective was to provide beneficiaries of the SME Instrument (SMEI)under Horizon 2020 with specific targeted assistance to support coaching assignments addressing specific innovation weaknesses which may hinder the outcomes of the SME Instrument project proposed by the SME. The Key Account Manager in both organisations provided following services to the beneficiaries: - support to identify weaknesses in their innovation capacities, - help with identifying suitable coaches to address the identified weaknesses, - a moderation of the coach-client relationship - continued support to the beneficiary throughout the SME instrument project. Through the delivery of these work packages, beneficiaries would increase their chance of overcoming the obstacles to growth and enhance the probability of a successful exploitation of the innovation project. The second objective was to deliver a service designed to enhance the innovation management capacity of SMEs by providing in depth support services to SMEs in the area of innovation management. The beneficiaries of these services were to be SMEs with existing, significant innovation activities and which have a high potential for internationalisation.

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

The action offered support services to SMEs in Berlin and Brandenburg in two different lines: “Key Account Management” (KAM) and “Enhancing innovation management capacity” (EIMC).

During the reporting period Key Account Services were offered to SMEs that have been successful in their applications for funding under the Horizon 2020 SME Instrument. Through a needs analysis the service helped SMEI beneficiaries to detect where they will need support to gain maximum value from the grant, to provide guidance in sourcing and selecting coaches for that purpose and to access finance.

Enhancing innovation management capacity service was offered to SMEs which wanted to increase their ability to manage and implement innovation processes successfully. It covered an individual assessment of the status of innovation management in the company, development of an individual action plan for improving it and monitoring of the implementation.

Both KAM and EIMC Services were successfully established in the region of Berlin and Brandenburg.

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)

In total, 54 support service were delivered to SMEs in Berlin and Brandenburg during the reporting period, 31 KAM services and 23 EIMC services.
The services supported the SMEs to increase their strategic and operational capability and to innovate in an international environment. Increased innovation capabilities will have a positive impact on the companies’ market shares, turnover, costs and jobs creation.

The services developed and delivered in our region during the reporting period are integral part of the services of the Enterprise Europe Network Berlin Brandenburg. The H2020 services are aligned with the regional business support ecosystem and other innovation and growth support services. The results achieved during the reporting period can also be seen as a logical development of a close relationship between the project’s personnel and the core EEN team within the agencies.

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