Providing services under Horizon 2020 enhancing the innovation management capacity of Hungarian SME's within the framework of the Enterprise Europe Network – 2020-21

Project Information

INNO-HUN 2020-21

Grant agreement ID: 879781

DOI

10.3030/879781

Project closed

EC signature date 31 January 2020

Start date 1 January 2020

End date 31 December 2021

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 219 422,50

EU contribution

€ 219 422,50

Coordinated by

HEPA MAGYAR EXPORTFEJLESZTESI UGYNOKSEG NONPROFIT ZARTKORUEN MUKODO RESZVENYTARSASAG
Hungary

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - INNO-HUN 2020-21 (Providing services under Horizon 2020 enhancing the innovation management capacity of Hungarian SME's within the framework of the Enterprise Europe Network – 2020-21)

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

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Innovation is perceived as the source of sustainable competitive advantage for enterprises resulting in economic growth and societal wealth. However, many SMEs still lack capabilities in innovation management. Investing in innovation activities have an essential role in taking advantage of new market opportunities on the international scene.
For SMEs, innovation means both risks and opportunities. The risks are obvious - the innovation may fail and the organisation's investment spent on it could be easily wasted. It would be crucial for them to identify “what” happened, but more importantly “why”, and which dimensions need more attention, improvement, and minor, or extreme change. This has direct impact on the decision-making process as well.
The global objective of the services delivered under this project is to effectively contribute to the innovation driven competitiveness and sustainable growth of the European/Hungarian economy via improving the innovation management processes in SMEs and enabling them to get their products, services successfully on the market by implementing the action plan defined and agreed together with the advisor based on the innovation audit performed. Beside the innovation management capacity enhancing activities INNO-HUN partners offered also Key Account Management service for the Hungarian winners of the H2020 SME Instrument/EIC Accelerator, Fast Track to Innovation and Future Emerging Technologies Open calls in receiving tailored services supporting the successful exploitation of the innovation project and assisting the growth of the beneficiary.
Partners of INNO-HUN ensured a full geographical coverage in Hungary and accordingly both services of the project were accessible for any Hungarian relevant entity.

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

As part of the project, partners offered Key Account Management (KAM) service for the successful SME Instrument, EIC accelerator, FET Open, FTI applicants, supported them in identifying their mentoring needs using the InnoKenn diagnostic tool, facilitated the coach selection and provided further advice and services as appropriate (offering services provided as part of the COSME contract). The INNO-HUN consortium supported 13 KAM and 4 SOE holder clients in 2020-21 (6 Phase 1, 6 Phase 2/EIC Accelerator and 1 FTI). 8 of these services have been closed in 2020 (6 Phase 1 and 2 Phase 2), while there are 5 open cases, which have been closed in 2021. In addition, 4 SoE holders were served by the Hungarian partners, who received advisory support especially in terms of finding alternative funding source for their ambitious innovation project. Business coaching was the dominant coaching type which helped them to focus their existing resources and exploit them successfully. Most of the clients are based in the Central Hungarian region, while few successful applicants were served also in other regions (Central Transdanubia, South Transdanubia). This service’s delivery highly depends on the number of successful SME applicants. 3 regional partners had no opportunity to provide the service as there were no winners from that region. Unfortunately, there was no considerable increase in the number of cases compared to the previous project periods. To increase the number of clients, the INNO-HUN consortium implemented awareness raising activity (Knowledge to Money Club), where information about the available funding and open calls is provided and SMEs are motivated and guided with practical tips regarding the application. 6 Knowledge to Money Club events were organised in 2020-2021 where coaches, NCPs and successful SME applicants gave presentations (4 events were organised online, which enabled SMEs from any part of Hungary to attend the events). Promotion of the service and of successful cases plays an important role in increasing the numbers, therefore partners use various channels and tools for communication, which include flyers, online communication and also events.
To Enhance the Innovation Management Capacity of highly innovative Hungarian companies INNO-HUN partners offered innovation audit service using two methodologies: Innovation Health Check (IHC) and IMP3rove. Within Enhancing Innovation Management Capacity work package, the innovation experts of the Hungarian consortium assessed a total of 37 SMEs in 2020 (27 cases were closed) and further 83 clients in 2021 (87 cases competed in this year, altogether 114). In this 2-year period the need for digitalisation- and sustainability-related advisory activities appeared and HCE started to serve clients using the DIQ and CSN methodology. Staff members attended several online courses of the IMP3rove Academy to ensure that their knowledge and support services meet the needs of the clients now and also in the future. 51 closed cases were carried out by using IMP3ROVE's IMA/IMEA services. 58 clients received IHC services, 3 clients were served by using DIQ and 2 clients using CSN assessment. 6 cases could not be closed due to lack of time or human resources of clients, who are open for further Network support. Altogether 120 clients were served, 89% of them already receiving COSME services.
57 clients received IMP3rove, 58 IHC services, 3 clients were served using DIQ and 2 clients using CSN assessment. 120 clients were also open to COSME services. Services were provided in almost all cases online due to the COVID crisis.

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)

The continuous promotion and the organisation of thematic workshops and events helped Hungarian SMEs to get to know the existing possibilities, which could further improve their operation and which services are in the Enterprise Europe Network portfolio. The Hungarian consortium was entirely committed to empower SMEs in their efforts and challenges towards the successful commercialisation of their innovative products. Specific objectives were varying from providing useful knowledge for further financing, finding international business partners, or providing knowledge for IP and market strategies among many other services. It is crucial to provide all necessary information for the Hungarian enterprises, so they can compete with other international SMEs in the European and global markets. Both the Key Account Management and Enhancing Innovation Management Capacity services are unique and have high added value for Hungarian SMEs. Training of the advisors (especially considering the staff challenges and changes that affected some partner) is important, therefore colleagues took part in several IMP3rove trainings and also in the IHC training.
Clients expect financial benefits, improvement of innovation strategy and idea & innovation management. Many of them got methodology to conduct more systematic processes and operation. The services provided also involve organizational and cultural development.

A summary table showing the number of completed cases per partner for the 2 years