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).
