Project description
Enhancing SME growth in Europe
In recent years, the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) has paved the way for a new generation of resilient and innovative European SMEs. Unfortunately, many SMEs have been held back due to the absence of innovation management capacity. This is an obstacle that is so big it’s been ranked 2nd only to a lack of financial resources. In this context, the EU-funded INNOVACCION project will provide a range of services enhancing the innovation management of European SMEs. To achieve this, it plans to utilise the experience that IVACE and INFO MURCIA, members of the EEN-SEIMED, have garnered from years of helping SMEs grow.
Objective
The project aims to establish services enhancing the innovation management capacity (EIMC) of SME's of the Enterprise Europe Network.
Lack of innovation management capacity is recognised as an important barrier to creating economic impact (competitiveness, growth and jobs) from innovation activities in SMEs.
Horizon 2020’s SME-instrument foresees offering mentoring and coaching services to beneficiaries to address the need of SMEs of consulting service offers enhancing the innovation management capacity.
Moreover, in a survey undertaken in 2011 for DG Enterprise and Industry, SME´s and SME support organisations considered the inability to manage innovation processes efficiently and effectively as the second most important barrier to SME innovation (after 'lack of financial resources').The two partners of the consortium for the present project, IVACE and INFO MURCIA have both more than 20 years’ experience in providing services of Enhancing innovation capacity to SMEs in their regions.
More recently as members of EEN-SEIMED Network they have both been leading in their Region the provision of services in order to help small business to make the most of the European marketplace. Specifically services provided are supporting:
• Technology transfer
• Access to finance
• Advice on EU law and standards
• Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs)
• Research funding
• Going international
The Enterprise Europe Network SEIMED is therefore a suitable structure to introduce services “Enhancing the innovation management capacity of SMEs” and make available to SMEs higher quality innovation support services where these are absent or unaffordable on local markets.
Programme(s)
- H2020-EU.2.3. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs Main Programme
Topic(s)
Funding Scheme
CSA - Coordination and support actionCoordinator
46018 Valencia
Spain