The main expected results of SMEs that received EIMC services are as follows:
a) Improved internal innovation processes,
b) clarification of company´s goals/targets for next 3 years and steps to be taken to reach them,
c) improved work with customers due to better knowledge of their needs.
The project team assumes social impacts (almost four-fifths SMEs saved jobs and one fifth has increased the number of employees) as well as economic impacts (almost half of SMEs maintained turnover and more than half increased turnover). Examples of concrete results of the project with a significant impacts or societal implications carried by supported SMEs are: 1) improved mobile phone for blind people to make life easier and work easier, 2) monitoring system for smart railways wagons can reduce trucks and CO2 emission, 3) smart ORC unit to reduce energy loses and produce electricity, 4) high-tech IT solution for better patient life with bipolar disorder, 5) organic bioplastic produced from cooking oil can reduce plastics in environment etc.
Both project partners were active in developing new support tools and programmes for Czech SMEs, which received the Seal of Excellence under the SME Instrument programme. They actively supported the national programme Seal of Excellence - GAMA (including financial support and coaching) organized by Technology Agency of the Czech Republic, and the regional scheme “SME-Instrument Brno” was initiated and then implemented by JIC.
Although this project was very successful, valued highly by participating companies (especially in WP2), its impact is quite limited due to very low overall budget set for the Czech Republic. Originally, the project was prepared for a larger scale and impact, but then its budget was significantly reduced due to low success rate of Czech companies in SME Instrument (WP1). Unfortunately, this budget calculation has not taken into account the extensive needs and big potential impact of services in WP2.
