In the continuity of service delivery since 2014, the main objective of BENEI² 2019 project was twofold:
- on the one hand, to offer services aimed at enhancing the innovation management capacities of SMEs, in order to allow this latter better optimes and exploit the efforts they make in innovation activities (for products, services, business model, organisation).
- on the other hand, to support the SME Instrument / EIC Accelerator beneficiaries with the KAM and coaching services,
These services were addressed to SMEs based in the Brussels-Capital Region, holding significant innovation activities and a high potential for internationalisation but not fully exploiting the investment (in money and human resources ) in their innovation activities and efforts. The issue beign addressed by this project is therefore is pushing forward this potential, with the support of an initiative designed by the EC.
The purpose of the action was contributing to the overarching European purpose of a smart growth, achieved by increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of investments in research, development and innovation.
hub.brussels acted on behalf of the Brussels-based consortium as the service provider of the innovation services dedicated to selected players headquartered in the region, which fulfilled the criteria set for such kind of services.
The success of this action – and therefore the impact generated - is achieved under a qualitative and quantitative points of view.
In terms of QUALITY for the SME-I /EIC Accelerator beneficiaries:
- When granted the 50K for their phase 1 SME-I, the companies immediately had a professional and entitled interlocutor (that’s to say the KAM – Key Accpount Manager) to rely on for needs analysis, identification of the most suitable coach, advice on the project deployment and its next steps. This has proven to be very appreciated by the companies.
- Actually, in a very short timeframe, the KAM has been able to assess the main needs of each SME-I beneficiary assigned and identify THE coach that was going help them boost their growth beyond their current boundaries. This has been a sometimes burdensome task for the KAM, but has yielded very good results.
- The KAM’s availability during the coaching process and for the submission of the report at the end of the SME-I phase 1 FS period, has also proven to be efficient for the companies.
- For the beneficiaries of Phase 2, the even longer professional relationship with the KAM allows a better preparation towards the next steps
In terms of QUALITY for the EIMC services (although premature to assess the long-term impact of services delivered during 2019) :
The benefit to have an objective/external view on:
• where the company stands now and where it wants to be in the future
• Identify the company’s strength and weaknesses in terms of innovation management
• Establish how innovation-oriented the company is
• Bring the company’s innovation capabilities to the next level
• Take decisions based on facts and priority areas for improvement
• Challenge the company’s vision and objectives
• Start-up companies used the services in order to structure their innovation processes.
In terms of QUANTITY:
hub.brussels overachieved the target of completed the KAM service for the SME-I / EIC Accelerator beneficiaries expected to be granted under the 2019 contract period, with an ovearll of 7 successful cases out of the 2 set as an objective. On top of this, 12 Seals of Excellence in the Brussels Capital Region were as well supported - via Enterprise Europe Brussels - towards other options, including where possible COSME services or discussion with hub.brussels financial experts for further actions (investors/assessment of financial needs) and meeting with NCP-team for signposting to regional funding agency.
For the EIMC services, hub.brussels successfully fulfilled the number of cases opened under the 2019 contract period, and keeping the balance with the KAM services. Therefore, 10 selected SMEs benefited from these services.
The total number of beneficiaries under the two service's types was 17 companies over the year.
hub.brussels deployed the action in line with the IS-Implementation Strategy and notably by applying the funnel approach. This approach was adopted both for the communication (general / universal awareness raising on a panoply of supports and channels down to targeted communication to a very precise community of players) and for the identification and above-all selection of companies entitled to access these services.
