Periodic Reporting for period 1 - EEN InnoSupp BG (EEN InnoSupp BG) Reporting period: 2017-03-01 to 2018-12-31 Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project The project is designed to contribute to the implementation of the European policies by enhancing SMEs innovation management capacity and translating its impact into leveraged business and innovation performance of the SMEs, growth, and quality jobs. Innovation in products, processes and services, as a major tool for improving global competitiveness of European companies, requires a well-targeted approach and streamlined resources. The proposal overall objective is to enhance the innovation management capacity of, and accelerate the innovation processes in, Bulgarian SMEs thus supporting growth, jobs, competitiveness and sustainability on the EU Single market as well as entrance on new markets, third markets inclusive. The ultimate result sought in the long run is to have the companies, supported under this action, introduce efficient management of their innovation processes, and be better prepared for the pressing competitiveness on the EU and the global markets. The support under this project is likewise expected to better prepare the companies for the ‘Access to Finance’ instruments and for attracting investment in innovations in the long run.The overall objective – to enhance the innovation management capacity of SMEs – is broken down into the following specific objectives:• To support the SMEs that are beneficiaries of the SME instrument in strengthening their innovation management capacity, enhancing their overall innovation performance throughout their project implementation and successful exploitation of the project outcomes and results. This will be done by identifying gaps and needs in the innovation management domain, proposing the best match of coach(es) profile(s) and acting as mediator between the SME and innovation coach(es) to address these gaps and needs. The services for achieving this specific objective are the so called “Key Account Management” (KAM) services in the context of the present call; • To enhance the innovation management capacity of Bulgarian SMEs by addressing gaps and needs with well-devised actions and measures towards increased efficiency and effectiveness of the innovation processes, and thus increased potential to benefit from the European support for research and innovation. This objective will be pursued by delivering the so called ‘Enhancing Innovation Management Capacity’ services in the context of this call (EIMC services). Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far In 2017-2018 the EEN InnoSupp BG consortium delivered KAM and EIMC consultancy and support services, equaling approximately 50 service packs, each 7 consultancy days on average. The majority of the services were the EIMC type, where most intensively the IMP3rove assessment tool was used while supporting SMEs in leveraging their innovation management capacity. In some case, though not many, the Innovation Health Check and the Digital Innovation Quotient tools were deployed in the support services, mainly by BIA.During the reporting period there were 7 Bulgarian SMEs, implementing projects funded under the SME Instrument, all of them for Phase 1, with the exception of Endurosat who were, and still are, the only BG beneficiary with a Phase 2 project. No local beneficiaries under the Fast Track to Innovation or the FET-Open grant schemes thus far. Out of these three schemes that are entitled to KAM support, the BG SMEs have highest interest and highest application rate under the SME Instrument, 90+% for Phase 1 in particular. However, the success rate is yet extremely low, and over the past couple of years decrease in the number of applications is observed compared to the previous two years (2015-16) when the SMEI was quite a new instrument. 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) All 7 SMEs received KAM and coaching support and the majority of them gave positive feedback. 43 companies received full-pack support on enhancing their innovation management capacity, and another 24 are currently being supported. Most of them have product innovation. The service impact on the clients is primarily in the following areas:- new bsuiness models launched,- stronger involvement of the SME partners in the SME innovation process,- increased innovation management awareness, and- introducing criteria for assessing innovative ideas.
