The Austrian consortium all in all supported 81 SMEs (66 cases completed) in addressing factors hindering successful innovation cycles. Activities were targeted at (1) providing substantial consulting and support services in the form of key account management (KAM) to SME beneficiaries of EIC Accelerator or Seal of Excellence holders and at (2) enhancing the innovation management capacity (EIMC) of SMEs.
Within the framework of the business coaching support service for the European Innovation Council (Accelerator, Pathfinder, Transition), partners conducted company assessments, identified weaknesses in the SMEs’ innovation strategies and subsequently helped SMEs to assign professional coaches. These coaches then jointly developed a coaching plan with the SME and addressed these weaknesses. This process was facilitated and accompanied by the Enterprise Europe Network expert. Further support (e.g. links to additional financial resources) was provided and the SMEs thereby received a vital consulting service free of charge parallel to their co-funded project. The majority of SMEs utilized and highly appreciated the KAM’s efforts and services and considered the business coaching as a very valuable support. Since the service was discontinued in 2021, dedicated support was provided to Seal of Excellence holders, aiming to reach alternative financing options that will help the realize their project.
In addition to the Key Account Management, the partners directly supported high-potential SMEs in improving their innovation management or in their sustainability and digital transition. This was achieved through targeted consulting by senior staff members of the consortium. Thereby, SMEs in need of this specific type of consulting were reached, which could not benefit from the EIC while still showing a high potential for successful market introduction of innovations and international growth or interest in sustainability and digitalisation. The EIMC services, and especially the acquisition of SMEs was done in collaboration with the COSME activities. SMEs that utilized the EIMC services grow on average faster, while their feedback on the service was very positive.
Key Account Management (50 cases completed):
EIC Accelerator is a valuable new instrument and closes the gap between the demand for excellence (as the major approach in Horizon 2020) and the goal to generate more impact on the market. This correlates with the experience of the EEN experts and is reflected in the feedback of the SMEs, whereas financing of innovation activities beyond TRL 6, business coaching, KAM via the EEN are evaluated from the SMEs as the most important.
Impact is achieved because a.) the client is provided an analysis of its company and this includes and in-depth discussion on its potential to further develop and grow, b.) the client is connected with the best possible coaching option, which fosters the business development of the client, c.) the client is supported to receive additional funding (investment opportunities, EIC Fund, further EU funding etc).
82% of the clients that completed and evaluated their coaching packages in Austria agree/strongly agree that the coaching helped them improve their business strategy and contributed directly to a faster growth of their innovation project.
Enhancing Innovation Management Capacity for innovating SMEs (16 cases completed):
Direct impact of the EIMC service is unquestionably already realised by raising awareness for crucial topics in innovation management and sustainability, which have so far been neglected by the SMEs. Focusing on such important issues and defining actions to address these gaps as well as receiving expertise on innovation management, sustainability or digitalisation and helps build internal capacity, creating a sustainable impact for the SME. The EIMC services are also concretely reported to help SMEs in business growth and in access to finance, both in the EU funding and the investment landscape in Europe.
