KAMINO-3 allowed project staff to offer assistance packages for successful applicants in EIC activities (Accelerator, FTI, FET-open projects) resp. assessments, advice and consultations to support SMEs to strengthen their innovation management capacities. Three EEN partners, ATI Küste GmbH, Steinbeis-Forschungszentrum and Technologiepark Warnemünde GmbH worked actively on the mentioned activities, partner IHK coordinated. Different assessment tools were combined and if needed creatively adapted to the innovation environment and the company size.
In 2020, partner Steinbeis continued supporting a start-up in the field of geodata service and forecast of climate and for agriculture modelling in a KAM case that has been finalized very successfully and recommended for a success story by the coach as well as the KAM. EIMC service was provided to 25 SMEs utilized the structured action plan to improve their innovation capacities. The technology fields comprise classical engineering, lightweight technologies in different applications, water management networks, up to health services. The consortium recommended client made actions to suited funding opportunities, to life-cycle topics, applied digitalization and circular economy approaches. Beyond the planned 15 EIMC packages for both years, 10 more has been offered and conducted in 2021 because of specific demands. The active partners worked closer together to overcome personal shortages and exchanged experiences with other network partners.
The EIMC services for innovative SMEs were based on the local and regional preconditions and led to new approaches. SMEs know that strategic, sustainable thinking and innovation are developing into an economic factor.
The qualitative input from the KAMINO-3 staff to problems with high responsibility and proactive solutions with innovation tools were highly appreciated. Very small SMEs and new settled companies as well as start-ups generated added value on their specific level of development.