‘Key account management’ for the EIC Pilot beneficiaries and ‘Enhancing SME innovation management capacity’ as proinnovative services for SMEs in the regions of Southern Poland

Project Information

KAM2SouthPL2

Grant agreement ID: 878993

DOI

10.3030/878993

Project closed

EC signature date 3 February 2020

Start date 1 January 2020

End date 31 December 2021

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 175 630,00

EU contribution

€ 175 630,00

Coordinated by

SWIETOKRZYSKIE CENTRUM INNOWACJI ITRANSFERU TECHNOLOGII SP(ZOO)
Poland

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - KAM2SouthPL2 (‘Key account management’ for the EIC Pilot beneficiaries and ‘Enhancing SME innovation management capacity’ as proinnovative services for SMEs in the regions of Southern Poland)

Reporting period: 2020-01-01 to 2021-12-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The geographical area covered by the consortium are four Polish regions of Southern part of the country. At the moment of proposal submission for the project, on all calls of the program Horizon 2020 only few companies Poland were beneficiaries of the SME Instrument.
Lack of capacity in innovation management was recognized as an important barrier in the process of creating economic impact on innovation activities in SMEs. The crucial area (skills, innovation and exploiting potential of foreign markets) of the Polish SMEs are chronically underperforming what reflects in Poland’s position (4th from last) on the European Innovation Scoreboard 2019. The project was addressed to the specific challenge and the scope of the topic, as set in the work programme, and has foreseen offering mentoring and coaching services to beneficiaries who needed the support in the innovative development, including elaborating strategy of innovation. This project provided high quality innovation support services for SMEs where these were absent or unaffordable on the local markets. The project aimed to support projects with an European dimension that would lead to radical changes in how business (product, processes, services, marketing etc.) is done.
The general objective of the project was to contribute to smart growth of four Southern regions of Poland by increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of investments in research, development, innovation and by contributing to a better and more efficient connection of links along the innovation chain and by this – to contribute to the smart growth of the European Union.

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

Workload in the project was divided into two Work Packages:

WP1 Key Account Management services for the beneficiaries of the SMEs Instrument
The services Key account management under the SME Instrument of Horizon 2020 contain SME Instrument Phase I (3-day packages service), Phase II, FTI and FET-Open (4-day packages service) steps:
Step 1: Assessment of gaps/needs (0.5 day)
Step 2: Identification and selection of the one coach (phase I – 1 day) or more
coaches (Phase II, FTI and FET-Open - 2 days)
Step 3: Facilitate coach-SME interactions (1 day)
Step 4: Closure of the assignment: conduct a standardized closing interview using a
questionnaire provided by EASME (0.5days)
6 KAM services were planned to be realised in 2020 by consortium members. 6 services were provided to regional SMEs in 2020: 2 services were completed in this reported period, and 4 companies finnaly resigned from the service.

WP2 Enhancing Innovation Management Capacity for innovating SMEs
For each service partners realized activities within 4 main steps:
1) Step 1: Assessment of the current status of the innovation management system in the company (1 day)
2) Step 2: Needs/gaps analysis and action plan development (1,5 days)
3) Step 3: Action plan implementation (4 days)
4) Step 4: Final report/closing of the project (0,5 day)
The average number of days spend on one company/service was 7. Innovation Experts conducted assessment with the representatives of the company and based on the results of the assessment a detailed action plan was prepared. Action plans present the innovation capacity of the company and contain valuable data concerning the competitiveness and possibilities of further development.

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)

In 2020-2021, 124 SMEs were supported with one of services: 122- EIMC services, 2- KAM.
The main impact on clients who got KAM and EIMC services was the improvement of innovation management capacity, better understanding of innovation management, preparation of written innovation management strategy, engagement of employers in realisation of innovative ideas, cooperation with new partners like universities, R&D centres and external experts, preparation of applications to SME Instrument phase I and II.
Moreover the improvement of the visibility of the Network and its specialisation in the field of innovation support for companies was observed.
The consequence of action taken for companies is already or is expected to be the increase in turnover, creation of new jobs, and more invisible and competitive position on the market.

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