Enhancing the innovation management capacity of SMEs with the Enterprise Europe Network Canarias 2020-2021

Project Information

E3Canarias 2020-2021

Grant agreement ID: 879698

DOI

10.3030/879698

Project closed

EC signature date 30 January 2020

Start date 1 January 2020

End date 31 December 2021

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 54 927,50

EU contribution

€ 54 927,50

Coordinated by

COMUNIDAD AUTONOMA DE CANARIAS
Spain

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - E3Canarias 2020-2021 (Enhancing the innovation management capacity of SMEs with the Enterprise Europe Network Canarias 2020-2021)

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

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The E3Canarias 2020-2021 project aims at continuing the activities carried out since 2014 under E3Canarias, E3Canarias 2015-2016, E3Canarias 2017-2018 and E3Canarias 2019 projects, enhancing the innovation management capacity of the Canary Islands’ SMEs through the delivery of 7 to 10 days service packages, targeted to the most innovative small and medium size companies in the islands, as well as giving support to the Canary Island beneficiaries of the HORIZON 2020 EIC pilot as Key Account Manager (KAM) services.
An average of 21 SMEs will be mentored, combining two services:
- A minimum of 16 SMEs beneficiaries of enhancing the innovation management capacities service. The number could be increased depending on the companies’ ambition, motivation and resources availability.
- A maximum of 5 beneficiaries of the HORIZON 2020 EIC pilot.
For the delivery of the services, 2 staff members are actively involved in the KAM community and have close cooperation with National NCP for SME and 3 staff members are experts for innovation Management trained via the IMP3rove-Academy and Innovation Health Check for EIMC services.

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

In 2020, the number of project proposals presented by Canarian companies has decreased, due to the EIC pilot work programme modifications and the current pandemic situation; with the result that no SMEs achieved funding.
During 2020 in the Canary Islands, there were 2 cases in Phase 1 EIC Horizon 2020, 1 of them was completed and the second case postponed the coaching services, due to the state of alert.
Beneficiaries received information and services from COSME project and Business Acceleration Services;
- Corona measures and grants
- Virtual EIC pilot workshop “Financiación para las Pymes en el Marco del Consejo Europeo de Innovación en Horizonte 2020” 6th May 2020 .
- Pan-European Hackathon for the development of innovative solutions related to COVID-19
- DIGI-B-CUBE project launched an open call Medical Diagnostics and related value chains
- 4th edition of the China International Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition (Shenzhen)
- International matchmaking events in the frame of Enterprise Europe Network
- Open innovation regional initiative

Two beneficiaries of SME instrument ph1 obtained the seal of excellence, and received information about COSME services and host organisation initiatives.
Companies assessed in the Enhancing Innovation Management Capacities Programme in 2019, received support in the implementation of their action plans in 2020.
EIMC services were stopped due to the COVID19 lockdown in March. Once we moved to a remote work environment, the services were resumed and companies were supported in the implementation of the action plans. An online training course in Competitive Intelligence Tools for one of these companies was also carried out.
After summer, several companies were identified, characterized, selected and contacted in order to provide them an online version of the EIMC services in 2021.

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)

Beneficiaries of the EIC pilot initiative for ph1 consider that the participation in this programme helped them to enter new markets, increasing their market share and consolidating their position in existing markets, achieved improved customer satisfaction and improved their innovation strategy and management.
One case received the coaching services and the second one requested an extension of the project. Coaching services were postponed to 2021.
ITC has planned the following corrective measures to increase the indicators:
• Implementing a new methodology for online assessments and advice.
• Analysing and, if necessary, adding new tools for the assessments.
• Keeping the cooperation with other regional and international innovation agents and programs
• Innovation services webinar with first level assessment
• New specific activities for the ongoing beneficiaries
• Web seminars about next EIC programme 2021-2027 and Horizon Europe

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