Project description
A new strategy to grow German SMEs
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) may be the bedrock of the European economy, but few grow to become big market leaders. To achieve this, innovation management is key, and financing is just as important. In this context, the EU-funded INNOKAM 2019 project will deepen the level of assistance offered to SMEs in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany's northernmost state, and the port city of Hamburg. Specifically, the project will address the lack of innovation management capacity in SMEs and support their growth opportunities. Moreover, it will assist them in finding coaches and boosting coach–client relationships.
Objective
The four partners Investitionsbank Schleswig-Holstein (IB.SH) TuTech Innovation GmbH (TuTech), Wirtschaftsförderung
und Technologietransfer Schleswig-Holstein (WTSH) and IFB Hamburg (IFB) are part of the Enterprise Europe Network
(EEN) consortium in Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein and established a well-known regional one-stop-shop for all EUrelated enquiries for SMEs and regional stakeholders.
For the period 2019 core objective is to expand the client base and deepen the level of assistance by offering the service of “Key Account Management” (KAM) and “Enhancing SME Innovation Management Capacity” (EIMC). Aim is to face
existing lack of innovation management capacity in small and medium sized companies (SME) and support their innovative
activities in order to creating economic impact. The guiding principle is that the services are tailored to the needs of the
identified regional innovators and innovation systems.
In this context the KAM is targeted at beneficiaries of the SME instrument, FTI and FET-Open under Horizon 2020, the EIMC addresses other highly innovative SMEs. The EIMC helps companies to establish effective innovation management systems that enhance the realisation of growth opportunities. The KAM focuses on those weaknesses which endanger the success of the funded project. It assists in finding specialised coaches and establishing a coach-client relationship. Both approaches aim to raise the company´s competitiveness and profitability.
In the framework of the project the consortium acquired user licenses for the IMP3rove tool in order to assess gaps and
needs of the SMEs. In this context senior staff of the EEN attended training to ensure that the tool is used correctly and the
assessment exercise complies with the envisaged EU standard. In addition the participation in training courses gives the
chance for a best practice exchange with other EEN colleagues and is of great benefit for the consortium.
Programme(s)
- H2020-EU.2.3. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs Main Programme
Topic(s)
Funding Scheme
CSA - Coordination and support actionCoordinator
24143 KIEL
Germany