Periodic Reporting for period 1 - INMANCAP 2020_21 (Enhancing innovation management capacity of SMEs in the Netherlands in 2020-2021)
Período documentado: 2020-01-01 hasta 2021-12-31
The overall objectives of the project were to deliver services designed to enhance the innovation management capacity of SMEs in the Netherlands in the period of 1 January 2020 – 31 December 2020. The services comprised both key account management (KAM) services under the H2020 EIC Pilot and services to enhance the innovation management capacities (EIMC) of SMEs.
The objectives for the KAM services were to develop regional SME innovation management capacity by carrying out an innovation management gap analysis and developing and implementing a coaching action plan for SME beneficiaries of the EIC Pilot under H2020.
The objectives of the EIMC services were to identify promising SMEs capable of growth and successful internationalisation, to carry out a diagnostic audit to identify gaps in the regional SME innovation management capacity and to develop and implement a tailored action plan to make the innovation system in the company more efficient and effective.
The objectives for the KAM services were to develop regional SME innovation management capacity by carrying out an innovation management gap analysis and developing and implementing a coaching action plan for SME beneficiaries of the EIC Pilot under H2020.
The objectives of the EIMC services were to identify promising SMEs capable of growth and successful internationalisation, to carry out a diagnostic audit to identify gaps in the regional SME innovation management capacity and to develop and implement a tailored action plan to make the innovation system in the company more efficient and effective.
Between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2021 Key Account Management (KAM) services have been delivered to 23 KAM cases of which 17 cases for the EIC Accelerator, 1 for FET Open, 1 for FTI and 4 for Seal of Excellence. Although for 4 cases the full KAM service package was provided it didn’t result in coaching. Main reason for this is the COVID-19 crisis which led beneficiaries focusing first and foremost on preserving their company.
For EIMC there are 121 cases (100%). Unfortunately, fifteen new-started cases were stopped due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, loss of commitment by the entrepreneur or selling the enterprise or just stopping the enterprise.
In 111 out of 121 cases (49 cases in 2020/62 cases in 2021, 92%) the Needs & Gaps analysis was made, and the results of the Innovation Health Check were discussed with the entrepreneur and/or the management team. In 103 cases (44 cases in 2020/59 cases in 2021, 85%) a Plan of Action was made that is or is going to be implemented by the entrepreneur and/or the management team.
We are proud of the 102 cases that have been brought to completion (42 cases in 2020/60 cases in 2021) which is 85% of the target.
For EIMC there are 121 cases (100%). Unfortunately, fifteen new-started cases were stopped due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, loss of commitment by the entrepreneur or selling the enterprise or just stopping the enterprise.
In 111 out of 121 cases (49 cases in 2020/62 cases in 2021, 92%) the Needs & Gaps analysis was made, and the results of the Innovation Health Check were discussed with the entrepreneur and/or the management team. In 103 cases (44 cases in 2020/59 cases in 2021, 85%) a Plan of Action was made that is or is going to be implemented by the entrepreneur and/or the management team.
We are proud of the 102 cases that have been brought to completion (42 cases in 2020/60 cases in 2021) which is 85% of the target.
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected both KAM and EIMC activities.
For KAM the number of cases dropped to 23 instead of the 56 planned. Besides the COVID-19 crisis there was another reason for this decline. Due to the new set-up of the EIC Accelerator the EIC beneficiaries and applicants have been using a new workflow to search and select their coaches themselves. This meant that the 3 cases of the 7 October 2020 cut-off date were the last ones to deal with by the consortium in 2021.
Due to the COVID-19 restrictions all assessments have been done remotely by vídeo-calls using applications like Webex and ZOOM. Most companies however are very positive about the effect that coaching has had upon the development of their business strategy. Coaching has led to an evaluation of their business plans which in some cases have been revised or sharpened. And in some cases it has already led to new opportunities on the International market.
KVK started quite strong with 26 new cases in January and February 2020. Then came the Covid-19 pandemic and The Netherlands went into several lock downs. Measures were taken by the national government and support systems were quickly introduced. This meant that all EIMC activities practically were stopped in several periods in the past two years.
The EIMC team in 2020 rapidly changed to digital support and coaching of started cases using Skype, WhatsApp and later MS Teams. The only problem we faced in 2020 was finding new cases because all efforts were in the Covid desk answering entrepreneurial questions. The EIMC team adapted very well to the new situation and succeeded in 2021 to attract a good number of 117 new cases. As four cases were already started in 2019, it resulted in 121 cases in 2020 and 2021.
EIMC coaching services are appreciated by all beneficiaries. The evaluation of completed cases shows a client satisfactory of 8.6 (out of 10) where 8.0 was the target. Most of the beneficiaries say that the coaching and the innovation action plan changed the way to approach their challenges.
KAM and EIMC services have had a positive effect on the market improvement and innovation cycle. SMEs are able to improve their innovation project on topics as market acceptance, cost strategy, product strategy, technological innovativeness and business strategy. It is expected that SMEs will perform better in growth and continuity. This all will lead to an increase of private investment in innovation, notably leverage of private co-investor and/or follow-up investments. Eventually this will lead to an increase in turnover, jobs, opening new markets, developing new products and improvements on their competitor’s position.
Better equipped, trained, informed and experienced SMEs on the topic of innovation and innovation capacities will make better decisions on how to build their businesses and expand their activities in and outside Europe. It will lead to enhanced profitability and growth performance of SMEs by combining and transferring new and existing knowledge into innovative, disruptive and competitive solutions seizing European and global business opportunities.
For KAM the number of cases dropped to 23 instead of the 56 planned. Besides the COVID-19 crisis there was another reason for this decline. Due to the new set-up of the EIC Accelerator the EIC beneficiaries and applicants have been using a new workflow to search and select their coaches themselves. This meant that the 3 cases of the 7 October 2020 cut-off date were the last ones to deal with by the consortium in 2021.
Due to the COVID-19 restrictions all assessments have been done remotely by vídeo-calls using applications like Webex and ZOOM. Most companies however are very positive about the effect that coaching has had upon the development of their business strategy. Coaching has led to an evaluation of their business plans which in some cases have been revised or sharpened. And in some cases it has already led to new opportunities on the International market.
KVK started quite strong with 26 new cases in January and February 2020. Then came the Covid-19 pandemic and The Netherlands went into several lock downs. Measures were taken by the national government and support systems were quickly introduced. This meant that all EIMC activities practically were stopped in several periods in the past two years.
The EIMC team in 2020 rapidly changed to digital support and coaching of started cases using Skype, WhatsApp and later MS Teams. The only problem we faced in 2020 was finding new cases because all efforts were in the Covid desk answering entrepreneurial questions. The EIMC team adapted very well to the new situation and succeeded in 2021 to attract a good number of 117 new cases. As four cases were already started in 2019, it resulted in 121 cases in 2020 and 2021.
EIMC coaching services are appreciated by all beneficiaries. The evaluation of completed cases shows a client satisfactory of 8.6 (out of 10) where 8.0 was the target. Most of the beneficiaries say that the coaching and the innovation action plan changed the way to approach their challenges.
KAM and EIMC services have had a positive effect on the market improvement and innovation cycle. SMEs are able to improve their innovation project on topics as market acceptance, cost strategy, product strategy, technological innovativeness and business strategy. It is expected that SMEs will perform better in growth and continuity. This all will lead to an increase of private investment in innovation, notably leverage of private co-investor and/or follow-up investments. Eventually this will lead to an increase in turnover, jobs, opening new markets, developing new products and improvements on their competitor’s position.
Better equipped, trained, informed and experienced SMEs on the topic of innovation and innovation capacities will make better decisions on how to build their businesses and expand their activities in and outside Europe. It will lead to enhanced profitability and growth performance of SMEs by combining and transferring new and existing knowledge into innovative, disruptive and competitive solutions seizing European and global business opportunities.