Periodic Reporting for period 1 - TOPIC2INNO 2017-2018 (TOPIC2INNO : Implementation of services enhancing the innovation management capacity of SMEs by the Enterprise Europe Network TOPIC consortium for the 2017-2018 period.)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2017-01-01 al 2018-12-31
"The general objectives of this action are to provide services that strengthen the innovation management capacity of SMEs through the Enterprise Europe TOPIC network (Paris Ile de France, Loire Valley Center, New Caledonia and French Polynesia). For the two organizations involved, the Paris Region Enterprises (PRE) and the Center-Val de Loire Region (DEVUP), it is a question of supporting the SMEs that reside in the territory covered by the TOPIC consortium. Caledonia and Polynesia will be mainly provided remotely, using the latest information and communications technologies).
During the period 2017-2018, the partners set up dedicated resources and processes to enable SMEs to develop their innovation capacity and improve their performance in the participation and coordination of European projects.
The processes are based on the following two programs: KAM and EIMC.
- KAM (Key Account Manager): Provide regional support to beneficiaries of European instruments for SMEs.
- EIMC (""Innovation Management Capacity Building Advisers""): Provide support to a selection of growing SMEs with international ambitions. Help them structure all their processes with an assessment of their innovation capabilities and an action plan to address identified bottlenecks.
For the companies awarded the SME Instrument Program or the SMEs selected in the EIMC program, these accompaniments allowed them to grasp their growth and internationalization more serenely and by avoiding pitfalls.
The importance of these actions for society in general is to provide information and methods to SMEs so that they can create value in a constantly changing technical and economic environment.
The support provided to SMEs in this program consisted of a global approach combining the different facets of business development and innovation, taking into account in particular technology, design stages, international cooperation, digital resources, CSR, ethics and responsible innovation as well as the Global Strategy (growth, financing, ...). All these facets are taken into account when evaluating SMEs as part of the EIMC and KAM services. The tools used: SME-MPOWER for the KAM action and Check'Innov for the EIMC action. This Check'Innov evaluation tool dedicated to innovation refers to the CEN / TS 16555-1 standard. The team involved in these programs has proven itself in this type of support, through regional and national mechanisms, and is able to assess and advise companies on all these aspects.
"
During the period 2017-2018, the partners set up dedicated resources and processes to enable SMEs to develop their innovation capacity and improve their performance in the participation and coordination of European projects.
The processes are based on the following two programs: KAM and EIMC.
- KAM (Key Account Manager): Provide regional support to beneficiaries of European instruments for SMEs.
- EIMC (""Innovation Management Capacity Building Advisers""): Provide support to a selection of growing SMEs with international ambitions. Help them structure all their processes with an assessment of their innovation capabilities and an action plan to address identified bottlenecks.
For the companies awarded the SME Instrument Program or the SMEs selected in the EIMC program, these accompaniments allowed them to grasp their growth and internationalization more serenely and by avoiding pitfalls.
The importance of these actions for society in general is to provide information and methods to SMEs so that they can create value in a constantly changing technical and economic environment.
The support provided to SMEs in this program consisted of a global approach combining the different facets of business development and innovation, taking into account in particular technology, design stages, international cooperation, digital resources, CSR, ethics and responsible innovation as well as the Global Strategy (growth, financing, ...). All these facets are taken into account when evaluating SMEs as part of the EIMC and KAM services. The tools used: SME-MPOWER for the KAM action and Check'Innov for the EIMC action. This Check'Innov evaluation tool dedicated to innovation refers to the CEN / TS 16555-1 standard. The team involved in these programs has proven itself in this type of support, through regional and national mechanisms, and is able to assess and advise companies on all these aspects.
"
For the KAM program, the partners (PRE and DEVUP) accompanied the winners of the SME Instrument.
During the 2017-2018 period, 67 new companies were supported including 40 Phase 1 winners, 26 Phase 2 winners and 1 FET laureate.
For the EIMC program, the partners (PRE and DEVUP) have put in place different methods to recruit SMEs likely to enter the program.
During the period 2017-2018, 84 new businesses were accompanied.
Regional ecosystems have been solicited (cluster, competitiveness clusters, incubators, accelerators, ...) to present the approach and recruit SMEs. Bridges were of course made during the accompaniments concerning the COSME and H2020 programs.
During the 2017-2018 period, 67 new companies were supported including 40 Phase 1 winners, 26 Phase 2 winners and 1 FET laureate.
For the EIMC program, the partners (PRE and DEVUP) have put in place different methods to recruit SMEs likely to enter the program.
During the period 2017-2018, 84 new businesses were accompanied.
Regional ecosystems have been solicited (cluster, competitiveness clusters, incubators, accelerators, ...) to present the approach and recruit SMEs. Bridges were of course made during the accompaniments concerning the COSME and H2020 programs.
"The impacts are measured in terms of the jobs created, the financial base of the companies and the increase in their turnover. Nevertheless, its impacts may take time depending on the projects (R & D times, time to explore new international markets, fundraising deadlines, ...)
During these programs, the H2020 teams worked with the COSME teams to organize and carry out the re-reading (and orientation) workshops for SME Instruments. In the period: 17 workshops that concerned 49 SME projects.
A dozen SMEs that have followed the EIMC program have been referred to the SME Instrument.
The EIMC accompaniments make it possible to orient systematically towards COSME services as soon as the diagnosis highlights certain problems such as:
- the legal (international cooperation contracts)
- standards (check international standards according to activities)
- the search for foreign R & D or commercial partners (more difficult to set up)
Regarding SMEs that have obtained the ""Seal of Excellence"" (SoE) label, the consortium partners do not have access to the list of these SMEs, which does not allow effective work in this area. The few SMEs that have been reported to us have been informed of the existing funding opportunities.
"
During these programs, the H2020 teams worked with the COSME teams to organize and carry out the re-reading (and orientation) workshops for SME Instruments. In the period: 17 workshops that concerned 49 SME projects.
A dozen SMEs that have followed the EIMC program have been referred to the SME Instrument.
The EIMC accompaniments make it possible to orient systematically towards COSME services as soon as the diagnosis highlights certain problems such as:
- the legal (international cooperation contracts)
- standards (check international standards according to activities)
- the search for foreign R & D or commercial partners (more difficult to set up)
Regarding SMEs that have obtained the ""Seal of Excellence"" (SoE) label, the consortium partners do not have access to the list of these SMEs, which does not allow effective work in this area. The few SMEs that have been reported to us have been informed of the existing funding opportunities.
"