Periodic Reporting for period 1 - INNOVACCION (Supporting Innovation actions in SMEs) Période du rapport: 2019-01-01 au 2019-12-31 Résumé du contexte et des objectifs généraux du projet The objective of this project is to provide innovation support services to SMEs in the regions of Valencia and Murcia covered by the consortium members. These innovation support services will be differentiated for two groups of SMEs:• SMEs that have been selected as beneficiaries of the SME instrument, phase 1 or phase 2. For these companies, the consortium members will offer Key Account Management (KAM) services, which are accompanying services for the SMEs to identify weaknesses in their innovation capacities and suitable external coaches throughout their participation in the SME instrument.• SMEs that have high potential for growth and internationalisation but that need to improve their innovation management capacities. These companies will receive direct assessment services from the consortium members in order to detect barriers and develop and implement an action plan in order to enhance such capacities and overcome the detected barriers.Our services allow the facilitation of access to European and international markets for SMEs from Valencia and Murcia and by providing growth-oriented, integrated business and innovation support services that help strengthen the competitiveness and sustainability. Travail effectué depuis le début du projet jusqu’à la fin de la période considérée dans le rapport et principaux résultats atteints jusqu’à présent "Both regions involved in the action have had very good results in the H2020 SME Instrument EU Program. In 2019, we delivered 21 needs analysis and their related coaching services to 21 SMEi beneficiaries and engaged 11 SMEs in Enhancing Innovation Management Services closing al cases.With regard to SMEi beneficiaries, we produced the Needs Assessment, supporting the coach selection, validating the coaching plan and facilitating interaction between the SME, the Coach and the European Commission until the final assessment. With reference to the EIMC service we are certain that is actually a very valuable ""entry service"" to get to know deeply pre-selected companies and define tailor made action plans to boost innovation and competitiveness. We are making efforts to continue improving the service through tailor-made trainings to our innovation advisors involved in the action." Progrès au-delà de l’état des connaissances et impact potentiel prévu (y compris l’impact socio-économique et les conséquences sociétales plus larges du projet jusqu’à présent) The KAM services, assessing the gaps and needs of each innovation project and introducing appropriate coaching experts, are backing the company to accelerate the commercialization of innovations and bring good returns on investment to our regions and Europe. With respect to the EIMC services, mainly focused on mature or more established companies, have worked to make SMEs management teams understand the great significance to manage innovation as a vector for future growth. Introducing Innovation from the very start of the definition of a Business Strategy and to getting to manage innovative ideas and project portfolio in an efficient manner. The innovation advisors have agreed with the SMEs to define concrete actions to enhance innovation capacities. In our opinion guiding the company through the innovation ecosystem and helping them identify the right advice, potential collaborators and suitable programs has had an impact on business performance. Moreover, the innovation advisor gathers first-hand information on the real needs of the companies and feedback on the impact of actual policies to share with policy makers and continuously improve programs and services offered to SMEs.
