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25 January 200725 January 2007

Ms. Simona MarzettiMs. Simona Marzetti

““The Role of Networks to Promote Innovation The Role of Networks to Promote Innovation and Technology Transfer to SMEs”and Technology Transfer to SMEs”

Direction for Innovation and Technology TransferDirection for Innovation and Technology TransferIPI – Institute for Industrial PromotionIPI – Institute for Industrial Promotion

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Innovation Centres

• Science Parks• BICs• Dedicated service centres • Agencies by CNR, ENEA, etc.

Enterprises• Entrepreneurial associations

Enterpises supporting bodies

• Chambers of commerce

Research system

• Universities

• Public research centres

• Private research centres

Policy Makers

• European Commission• Ministry of Prod. Activities• Ministry of Research• Techn. Innovation Dept.• Regions• Other local authorities

Funding system

• Banks• Venture Capitalists• Business Angels

The Italian innovation system Overview

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The Italian innovation system

Innovation demand

The Italian productive system is

characterised mainly by small small

enterprisesenterprises with a strong

specialisation in low and medium

technology sectors, such as: agrofood,

textile and clothing, footwear, furniture,

mechanics and capital goods.

The innovation model followed by the

Italian SMEs is mainly based on

incremental innovationincremental innovation, such as the

acquisition of machines with

embedded technology, the style and

the use of new materials.

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The Italian innovation system

Supply of services – Innovation Centres

The supply of services is often

strongly locally characterised,

which, while having its advantages,

also produces a certain

fragmentation of the innovation

opportunities.

Alongside the national research

and university system, RIDITT has

identified 300 service centres for service centres for

innovation and technology innovation and technology

transfertransfer, sponsored by

entrepreneurial associations,

chambers of commerce and local

public authorities.

Distribution of Italian innovation centres. Source IPI, 2005.

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The Italian innovation system

Supply of services – Innovation Centres

Source IPI, 2005.

0% 5% 10% 15% 20%

Industrial Experimental Stations

Multisectorial Service Centres

Business Innovation Centres

Academic TT Offices and Incubators

Special Agencies and laboratories of Chambers ofCommerce

Local Development Agencies

Science and Technology Parks

Thematic Service Centres

An analysis carried out by IPI on Italian innovation centres shows the considerable

diffusion of strucutures such as thematic service centres, science and technology parks, as

well as local development agencies and special agencies of the Chambers of commerce.

The following table shows the breakdown of innovation centres by clustersbreakdown of innovation centres by clusters.

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RIDITT - The Italian Network for Innovation

and Technology Transfer to Enterprises

RIDITT, the Italian Network for Innovation and Technology Transfer to Enterprises, is an initiative aimed at improving the improving the competitiveness of the Italian competitiveness of the Italian productive systemproductive system by strengthening and integrating the supply of services for innovation.

Launched in 2003, the initiative is promoted by the Italian Ministry of Ministry of Economic Development Economic Development and is managed by its Agency, the Institute for Industrial Promotion (IPI).

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Promoting knowledge sharingknowledge sharing on methods, good practices and resources on innovation and technology transfer

Encouraging the marketing of services for marketing of services for innovationinnovation and technology transfer to enterprises

Strengthening the existing innovation networksinnovation networks and encouraging the creation of new ones on an interregional, sectoral and technological basis

Facilitating access to financial resourcesaccess to financial resources for the creation, extension and development of innovation networks

Supporting the internationalisationinternationalisation of innovation centres and their associate companies, also through the INSME Association

RIDITT

Objectives

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RIDITT

Analysis and monitoring

RIDITT carries out an ongoing analysis and analysis and monitoring monitoring on:

innovation programmes and policies: innovation programmes and policies: a monitoring system has been set up on innovation programmes and calls at local, national and international level

innovation and technology transfer innovation and technology transfer centres: centres: RIDITT has identified 300 structures in Italy and performed an in-depth analysis on more than 100 of them

key technologies for the key technologies for the competitiveness of the Italian industry: competitiveness of the Italian industry: a study has led to the identification of 126 technologies and 1,400 industrial applications which can play a pivotal role for the development of the Italian productive system

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The RIDITT information services can be accessed through the internet portal www.riditt.it

The portal provides innovation centres and SMEs a clear and up to date framework on the offer of services and tools available for services and tools available for technology innovationtechnology innovation.

The portal is also the gate for foreign players to access the Italian innovation system.

Services offered include:- Catalogue of competences- Technologies- Financial resources- News & events

Monthly visitors: over 4,500

Monthly page views: 20,000

Monthly newsletter: over 6,000

RIDITT

Information services

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RIDITT

Training

RIDITT carries out training courses in order to improve the

skills of innovation centres. During 2004 – 2005 the

courses were attended by 300 professionals300 professionals in

representation of about 150 research and innovation

centers, entrepreneurial associations and enterprises.

The themes addressed are:

Marketing of innovation and technology Marketing of innovation and technology

transfer services to SMEstransfer services to SMEs

Funding of innovation projects (public grants, Funding of innovation projects (public grants,

venture capital, etc.)venture capital, etc.)

Commercialisation of research results Commercialisation of research results

(patents, licensing and spin-off)(patents, licensing and spin-off)

Setting up of technology transfer projectsSetting up of technology transfer projects.

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RIDITT

Management of technology transfer programmes

IPI manages pilot programmespilot programmes, promoted by the Ministry of Productive Activities, with the aims to foster technology transfer from research centres to SMEs (R3TI), as well as to set up high tech incubators (Incubator programme).

The R3TI programme supports four projects for the promotion and diffusion of key technologiesdiffusion of key technologies in four major areas: industrial automation and sensors; biotechnologies; advanced materials; separation technologies.

The Incubator programme, carried out in 2004 and 2005, has led to the setting up of an incubatorincubator specialised in the biotech sector. The incubator has been inaugurated in Pula (Sardinia) on June 2005.

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Industrial Automation and SensorsIndustrial Automation and Sensors

“Automation technologies for food production quality and safety”

University of Naples “Federico II”University of Sannio; University of Salerno; Confapi Campania;Consorzio Technapoli, Science and Technology Park of Salerno, Istituto Tagliacarne

BiotechnologiesBiotechnologies

“AGRIBIT - Transfer of biotechnological innovations to the Apulian agri-food system”

CNR – ISPA, BariUniversity of BariCNA Puglia

Advanced MaterialsAdvanced Materials

“S.I.S.T.E.M.A. – Innovation and development of advance material technologies for the

instrumental goods and aerospace sectors.”

University of Rome “Tor Vergata”University of Rome “La Sapienza”; ISRIM; Confindustria Lazio; AIAD; TecnoPolo

Separation TechnologiesSeparation Technologies

“Membrane separation techniques for the production of tomato and fruit derivates”

SSICA Angri – Industrial Experimental Station for Food PreservationItalian National Association for Food PreservationChambers of Commerce of Salerno

RIDITT – R3TI

The 4 technology transfer projects

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ITALIAN NETWORK FOR INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER

TO SMES

Tel. 06.80972.290 / 454fax 06.80972.578

e-mail: info@riditt.it – marzetti@ipi.itwww.riditt.it - www.ipi.it

IPI – Institute for Industrial Promotion

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International Network for SMEsInternational Network for SMEs

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An indipendent legal entity since early 2004:

A non for profit Association according to Italian Law to be regarded as a NGO at international level

INSME is a:

- CATALYSER of multiple actions

- FACILITATOR for multilateral dialogue and cross-border cooperation

- “TRAIT D’UNION” among different stakeholders

- PARTNER/LEADER for joint international projects

- MULTIPLIER of opportunities

- BROKER for Members to foster public-private innovation partnerships

INSME strategy for making innovation happen in SMEs based on:

- Mutual learning approach

- Knowledge/problems sharing

- International networking and partnering

- Benchmarking

INSME in short

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An international Forum for an open, regular political dialogue on SME innovation related issues involving major national and international players:

- GOVERNMENTS

- INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS

- INTERNATIONAL FINANCING INSTITUTIONS

A new actor and incubator for operational activities to be carried out with INSME Members and in cooperation with Partners at local and international level according to sectors and geographic areas of interest

INSME’s 2 Dimensions

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An initiative financed/promoted by the European Commission and solely centered on Europe

Its only a Sustaining Member is the Italian Government through IPI

A financing institution to provide support for poverty alleviation and cooperation for development worldwide

A one-stop-shop for directly providing individual SMEs with free services and information in all regions and all sectors

Targeting all topics related to SMEs

It is focussed on: innovation and technology transfer

Its only Sustaining Member is the Italian Government through IPI

It is focussed on: - innovation and technology transfer issues- the role of intermediary organisations and their networks

INSME is NOT:

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As of January 2007

Geographical representation

of INSME Members

INSME has 82 Members from 34 countries of 5 continents

Asia 11%

Africa 7%Latin-America

7%

Middle East 6%

Australia 2%

Europe 67%

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Both Policy Makers and Innovation players are involved

INSME Public & Private representation

As of January 2007

38%

62%

Public Organisations Private Organisations

50%50%

Public Organisations Private Organisations

2004 2007

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INFORMATION

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

TRAINING

MATCHMAKING

PROMOTION AND MARKETING

RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS

TUTORING

INSME Activities

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8 International Organisations are Members of the INSME Association:

- African Development Bank Group- CEI- COMSATS- OSCE - RITLA- UNCTAD- UNESCO - WIPO

The INSME Association was also granted the OECD’s moral sponsorship and consultative status by UNIDO’s Industrial Development Board.

INSME Members - International Organisations

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2006 INSME Training Programmes

2nd WIPO-INSME International Training on

“The Role of Intellectual Property in Raising Financing Opportunities for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises”

WIPO, Geneva, Switzerland, 11 – 12 July, 2006

(Participation for free)

INSME - UNIDO International Training on

“Business Start-up and Access to Finance for SMEs and new Technology-Based Firms”

IPI, Rome, Italy, 30 November – 1 December, 2006

(Participation for free)

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“Making Innovation Happen” INSME Secretariat

Tel: +39 06 80972448Fax: +39 06 80972443

secretariat@insme.it www.insme.org

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