Providing services under Horizon 2020 enhancing the innovation management capacity of Hungarian SME's within the framework of the Enterprise Europe Network - 2019

Project Information

INNO-HUN2019

Grant agreement ID: 831278

DOI

10.3030/831278

Project closed

EC signature date 9 November 2018

Start date 1 January 2019

End date 31 December 2019

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 74 152,50

EU contribution

€ 74 152,50

Coordinated by

HEPA MAGYAR EXPORTFEJLESZTESI UGYNOKSEG NONPROFIT ZARTKORUEN MUKODO RESZVENYTARSASAG
Hungary

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - INNO-HUN2019 (Providing services under Horizon 2020 enhancing the innovation management capacity ofHungarian SME's within the framework of the Enterprise Europe Network - 2019)

Reporting period: 2019-01-01 to 2019-12-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Innovation is perceived as the source of sustainable competitive advantage for enterprises resulting in economic growth and societal wealth. However, many SMEs still lack capabilities in innovation management. Investing in innovation activities have an essential role in taking advantage of new market opportunities on the international scene.
For SMEs, innovation means both risks and opportunities. The risks are obvious - the innovation may fail and the organisation's investment spent on it could be easily wasted. It would be crucial for them to identify “what” happened, but more importantly “why”, and which dimensions need more attention, improvement, and minor, or extreme change. This has direct impact on the decision-making process as well.
The global objective of the services delivered under this project is to effectively contribute to the innovation driven competitiveness and sustainable growth of the European/Hungarian economy via improving the innovation management processes in SMEs and enabling them to get their products, services successfully on the market by implementing the action plan defined and agreed together with the advisor based on the innovation audit performed. Beside the innovation management capacity enhancing activities INNO-HUN partners offered also Key Account Management service for the Hungarian winners of the H2020 SME Instrument, Fast Track to Innovation and Future Emerging Technologies Open calls in receiving tailored services supporting the successful exploitation of the innovation project and assisting the growth of the beneficiary.
Partners of INNO-HUN ensured a full geographical coverage in Hungary and accordingly both services of the project were accessible for any Hungarian relevant entity.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

As part of the project, partners offered Key Account Management (KAM) service for the successful SME Instrument applicants (there were no FET Open or FTI winners from Hungary), supported them in identifying their mentoring needs using the InnoKenn diagnostic tool, facilitated the coach selection and provided further advice and services as appropriate (offering services provided as part of the COSME contract). The INNO-HUN consortium supported 41 KAM clients in 2019 (29 Phase 1 and 12 Phase 2), which is 141% more than planned (17 clients). 30 of these services have been closed in 2019 (23 Phase 1 and 7 Phase 2), while there are 11 open cases. Most of them struggle with lack of staff, but employing more people would endanger the profitable operation of the company itself, which usually results in employees having multiple tasks at the same time. Other crucial challenge is the access-to-finance for these SMEs. Therefore, business coaching was the dominant coaching type which helped them to focus their existing resources and exploit them successfully. Most of the clients are based in the Central Hungarian region, while few successful applicants were served also in other regions (Western Hungary, Central Transdanubia, Northern Great Plain). This service’s delivery highly depends on the successfulness of the SME applicants. Two regional partners had no opportunity to provide the service as there were no winners from that region. Unfortunately, there is no considerable increase in the number of cases compared to the previous project periods. To increase the number of clients, the INNO-HUN consortium implemented awareness raising activity, where information about the available funding and open calls is provided and SMEs are motivated and guided with practical tips regarding the application. 4 Knowledge to Money Club events were organised in 2019 where coaches, NCPs and successful SME applicants gave presentations (147 participants in 2019). Promotion of the service and of successful cases plays an important role in increasing the numbers, therefore partners use various channels and tools for communication, which include flyers, online communication and also events.
To Enhance the Innovation Management Capacity of highly innovative Hungarian companies INNO-HUN partners offered innovation audit service using two methodologies: Innovation Health Check and IMP3rove. Within Enhancing Innovation Management Capacity work package, the innovation experts of the Hungarian consortium assessed a total of 46 SMEs in 2019 (45 cases were closed). 24 clients received IMP3rove and 21 IHC services. 33 clients (73.3%) were also open to COSME services.

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)

The continuous promotion and the organisation of thematic workshops and events helped Hungarian SMEs to get to know the existing possibilities, which could further improve their operation and which services are in the Enterprise Europe Network portfolio. Within the 1-year work programme, the Hungarian consortium was entirely committed to empower SMEs in their efforts and challenges towards the successful commercialisation of their innovative products. Specific objectives were varying from providing useful knowledge for further financing, finding international business partners, or providing knowledge for IP and market strategies among many other services. It is crucial to provide all necessary information for the Hungarian enterprises, so they can compete with other international SMEs in the European and global markets. Both the Key Account Management and Enhancing Innovation Management Capacity services are unique and have high added value for Hungarian SMEs. Training of the advisors (especially considering the staff challenges and changes that affected some partner) is important, therefore a decentralised IMP3rove training was organised in May in Budapest to ensure a cost-effective training opportunity for the Hungarian advisors. 8 advisors attended the training in Budapest, while further 3 advisors attended other IMP3rove trainings organised outside of Hungary in 2019.
Clients expect financial benefits, improvement of innovation strategy and idea & innovation management. Many of them got methodology to conduct more systematic processes and operation. The services provided also involve organizational and cultural development.

Number of clients served