innovation services guidebook

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The project is implemented through the CENTRAL EUROPE Programme and is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund.

I n n ovat i o n S e r v i ce sG u i d e b o o k

I n n ovat i o n S e r v i ce s G u i d e b o o k

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University of Debrecenwww.unideb.huProf. Lszl [email protected]: +36 52 518-640Fax: +36 52 518-640

Municipality of Velenjewww.velenje.siRok [email protected]: +386 3 8961 544

TechnoCenter at the University of Mariborwww.tehnocenter.uni-mb.siAnton Habjani, [email protected]: +386 2 23 55 365

Centuria RIT www.centuria-rit.comChiara [email protected]: +39 0547415080Fax: +39 0547313291

Amiti www.amitie.itPier Giacomo Solapgsola@amitieTel: +39 051273173Fax: +39 0516560416

Klimentovsk a. s.www.klimentovska.asPetra [email protected]: +420 777 738 777

Multipurpose Union of Kecskemt and its Region www.aranyhomok.huDr. Sndor [email protected]: +36 30 4635320Fax: +3676 850020

The project is implemented through the CENTRAL EUROPE Programme and is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund.

Published in April, 2010

http://free.unideb.hu

1Project FREE 2

Guidelines 3

Criteria for Quick Assessment of Each Service 4

The Enterprise Europe Network 6

Gbor Baross Programme 8

Patent Monitoring 10

e-VEM 12

Innovation vouchers 14

Regional Innovation Agencies 16

PRO INNO Europe 18

Young Researchers in the Economy 20

Brokerage Events 22

Incubator House for the Future! 24

Research by commercial, technological and scientific partners 26

The Enterprise e-Services Portal 28

The Best Researcher Competition 30

Regional Knowledge Centres at Universities 32

Technology Transfer Day 34

Clusters 36

Innovation Europe 38

Micro Credit Program 40

Start:up Slovenia 42

Contents

We Tech Off 44

Business Incubators 46

University of Debrecen Technology Transfer Office 48

The European Investment Fund 50

Business plan 1.4 52

F1RST 54

Darinno 56

The R&D Information System 58

The Innovating Regions in Europe (IRE) network 60

PatLib Centre Debrecen 62

I Have an Idea! 64

R2B Days and R&D Days 66

DEAK 68

esp@cenet 70

Technology Watch 72

Bioincubator Centre Debrecen 74

A business plan that attracts investors! 76

Technology Foresight Study 78

CORDIS 80

GAMF 82

EU

EU

EU

EU

IT

IT

IT

SLO

SLO

SLO

SLO

HU

HU

HU

HU

HU

CZ

CZ

CZ

HU

HU

HU

HU

HU

SLO

SLO

SLO

IT

HU

IT

IT

CZ

CZ

CZ

EU

EU

EU

EU

IT

2FREE intends to contribute to regional development in Central Europe by setting up innovation systems capable of bridging between technical experts, researchers, entrepreneurs and regional and national authorities. The capacity of regional actors to turn knowledge and skills into sustainable competitive advantage is crucial to regions economic performance, as innovation is most effectively addressed at regional level, where physical proximity fosters the partnership between actors.

The projects general objectives are: to stimulate technology transfer and knowledge exchange mechanisms; to foster access to scientific knowledge and the use of already existing knowledge; to set up and intensify the application-oriented cooperation between R&D and industry.

Innovation Services Guidebook gathers good practices, which are aimed at academia, SMEs or both, in project partners countries and also on the EU level. Principally, it serves as a reference material to 'mediators of innovation' during training sessions and pilot projects. With analyzed transferable aspects and innovation features one can consider adopting good practices or improving already existing services.

Other activities, which complete the projects mission, are: creating Innovation Systems Guidebook; setting up R&D Yellow Pages with data on R&D results in the partners regions; establishing a network of mediators of innovation, i.e. individuals with a set of interdisciplinary competences able to support the transfer of knowledge; elaborating training modules and organizing training in each project partners region regarding innovation support; issuing the Patent and Technology Newsletter; organizing the Technology Transfer Day.

Project activities will end in June 2011, with outputs ready for adoption and further development.

Project partners: University of Debrecen (Hungary), Municipality of Velenje (Slovenia), TechnoCenter at the University of Maribor (Slovenia), Centuria RIT (Italy), Amiti (Italy), Klimentovska PLC (Czech Republic), Multipurpose Union of Kecskemt and its Region (Hungary).

P R O J E C T F R E E

A more extensive analysis of innovation services is available

on the projects website: http://free.unideb.hu

3In the present analysis key factors have been identified which must be considered while setting up an innovation service or undertaking the improvement of an existing one. These key factors represent guidelines to institutions, capable of setting up specialized services that can be useful for SMEs and public research institutes in the context of bringing them closer to each other and facilitating the exchange of knowledge. The analysis has been carried out to understand the different mechanisms and contexts which allow knowledge and R&D results to be transformed into new products, services and innovative solutions.

Following the initial introduction of the guidelines, the following sections introduce the most successful innovation services in partners territories along with a presentation of Europe-wide services.

Key factors of successful innovation services

Coherence with the innovation strategy. A strong strategy behind a group of actions induces synergy and increases their impact on regional development. The innovation services provided must be in line with national and regional innovation policy and strategy and with the innovation system.

Focusing on a specific goal. The most effective services aim to achieve a certain positive result and thus narrow the focus down to address one of the objectives within the innovation strategy.

Focusing on a specific group of users. By specializing the service for just one group of users, the service becomes more effective.

A strong supportive team. The team behind the service must be professional, competent and easily accessible if additional support and assistance is required.

Offering a high level of knowledge. Investments in knowledge, new ways of creating added value, and training and consulting are very important elements in successful services.

Displaying direct benefit and value for the user. Users seek time-saving operations, better efficiency, knowledge, networking and financial reward.

Security measures. In the process of implementing the service, users confidential information is in many cases displayed to the service provider. Security measures must thus be undertaken to protect users information and to gain trust and guarantee reliability.

Providing multiple benefits for the user. Services offering many benefits for the user at once prove to be more effective and better accepted.

Achieving cooperation and/or competitiveness among users. Successful services promote cooperation between users, as well as competitiveness at some points.

Cooperating with other partners. The organization providing the service cooperates with the government, well established companies, institutes, individual experts and other organizations in all necessary areas.

Constantly improving and learning. The service itself is changing and innovating. Gathering feedback, monitoring and evaluation are therefore indispensable.

G U I D E L I N E S

4If the service couldnt be assessed directly by these criteria, the points were meaningfully awarded in relation to them.

Profitability

5 POINTS High profit (more than 20% of the costs).

4 POINTS Moderate profit (under 20 % of the costs).

3 POINTS Minor profit (under 5% of the costs).

2 POINTS Indirect profitability (for example: through returned taxes, sponsors).

1 POINT Enough income to cover the costs zero profit.

0 POINTS Services are provided free of charge no profit.

Initial resources

5 POINTS Very high financial resources (increasing 1 million Euro).

4 POINTS High financial resources (under 1 million Euro).

3 POINTS Moderate financial resources (under 500 000 Euro).

2 POINTS Minor financial resources (under 100 000 Euro).

1 POINT Very low financial resources within the institution implementing the service(under 5 000 Euro).

0 POINTS No initial resources.

Independence

5 POINTS Completely independent, including only internal staff and members, financing from own funds.

4 POINTS Independent in programme, dependent in financing.

3 POINTS Weakly connected in programme and financing with other organizations.

2 POINTS Moderately connected in programme and financing with other organizations.

1 POINT Greatly connected in programme and financing with other organizations.

0 POINTS Completely connected in programme and financing with other organizations, without which the service will not be possible.

C R I T E R I A F O R Q U I C K A S S E S S M E N T O F E A C H S E R V I C E

55 POINTS Full set of personalized services such as consultancy, training, feasibility studies.

4 POINTS Personalized service such as consultancy, training, feasibility studies.

3 POINTS Interactive group trainings and consultancy.

2 POINTS Seminars, conferences, partner search.

1 POINT Just offering information (guidelines, manuals, databases).

0 POINTS No soft factors.

Hard factors

5 POINTS High financial resources (increasing 500 000 Euro).

4 POINTS Moderate financial resources (under 500 000 Euro).

3 POINTS Minor financial resources (under 100 000 Euro).

2 POINTS Potential access to higher funds (increasing 200 000 Euro; if certain criteria are fulfilled).

1 POINT Potential access to minor or moderate funds (under 200 000 Euro; if certain criteria are fulfilled).

0 POINTS No funds or potential access to funds.

C R I T E R I A F O R Q U I C K A S S E S S M E N T O F E A C H S E R V I C E

Soft factors

6E UT H E E N T E R P R I S E E U R O P E N E T W O R K

The Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) is the largest network of contact points providing information and advice to EU companies on EU matters, in particular small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). EEN provides practical answers to specific questions in the native language. It offers a wide range of services as a 'one-stop shop for businesses in over 40 countries. The Network offers concrete and effective solutions to entrepreneurs and companies in more than 40 countries, including the 27 EU member states, three EU candidate countries (Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Turkey), members of the European Economic Area (EEA) and other participating third countries.

Profitability Initial resources for setting up the service Independence Soft factors Hard factors

The Enterprise Europe Network is unique both in terms of its wide geographic reach and of the wide range of integrated services it provides to SMEs and other business actors. This is made possible thanks to the coordinated action of nearly 600 local partner organizations, employing around 3 000 experienced staff working to support the competitiveness of EU businesses. The new integrated Network offers a one-stop shop to meet all the information needs of SMEs and companies in Europe.

Instruments include business partner search within technology and business cooperation databases and fast access to information on funding opportunities. Individual on-site visits to companies to assess their needs and a broad range of promotional and informational material can be organised. Representatives of the Network can also help businesses understand EU law, how it applies to their business and how to make the most of the internal market and EU programmes.

The Enterprise Europe Network fully exploits the synergies between all support services and helpdesks aimed at European businesses. The one-stop shop service is accompanied by a no wrong door policy: an entrepreneur or business actor can enter the Network through any contact point, and will then be assisted and personally directed to the relevant service or organization.

The Enterprise Europe Network offers easy access and proximity to local services for SMEs, thus creating regional business gateways. Regional consortia cooperate to create a coherent support structure for local companies, boosting the regions profile and its competitiveness.

Business actors are encouraged to share, define and disseminate best practices in fields such as innovation, expansion to new markets, enlargement of the client base, improvement of market position, etc. As a result, the Enterprise Europe Network helps SMEs realize their potential in terms of growth and regional job creation.

The Network also improves the relationship between the European Commission and business. Network representatives provide the Commission with regular feedback on EU policy, the difficulties SMEs face operating

7E UT H E E N T E R P R I S E E U R O P E N E T W O R K

Contact:Use the online form at http://www.enterprise-europe-network.ec.europa.eu/about/contact

European Commission Directorate-General for Enterprise and Industry: [email protected]

in the EU and the effectiveness of the EUs programmes. All this will help shape EU law that is more business-friendly and will stimulate growth and competitiveness across the EU. The Network is there to support the European Commission and help it to help business.

The Network offers a whole host of services: Providing information and practical advice on

market opportunities, European legislation and policies relevant to a company or sector.

Helping SMEs to find suitable business partners using its business and technology cooperation database.

Developing the research and innovation capacities of SMEs.

Helping SMEs to share research results, participate in research programs and apply for funding,

Involving SMEs and business actors in the policy-making process.

Website: http://www.enterprise-europe-network.ec.europa.eu/index_en.htm

8H u n g a r y

The Gbor Baross Programme was prepared and created by the National Office for Research and Technology. The programme provides the framework and tools to support RDI projects in the regions. Every year, there are seven individual Gbor Baross Programmes in the country, one in each region. The regions have the right to propose what kind of RDI activity they want to support from the funds in their own region.


G B O R B A R O S S P R O G R A M M E

This measure was first introduced in 2005 and since then

except in 2008 when the most recent call for proposals

was published it has been a great success in all regions,

especially in szak-Alfld.

In the szak-Alfld Region the following sums have been

available over recent years:

Year Gbor Baross Programme - szak-Alfld Region

2005 4 million Euro

2006 2.8 million Euro

2007-2008 7.25 million Euro

2009 4.3 million Euro

Each year emphasis was placed on different priorities,

such as intense academia-industry co-operation in the

regions, focused R&D projects, improved innovation

capabilities, significant investment projects, and the

efficient and rapid commercialization of R&D results.

The planning of the annual Gbor Baross Programme

is designed by the Regional Innovation Agencies based

on their Regional Innovation Strategy. The Regional

Innovation Agency carries out the preparatory work

and the Regional Development Council is required to

accept the call for proposals. Even though it seems to

be a decentralized initiative, it is effectively centrally

controlled. After the regional planning and acceptance,

the National Office for Research and Technology approves

the call for proposals and then launches the calls for

each of the regions and carries out the contracting and

financing of the project. The evaluation of the proposals

and the monitoring of the projects are undertaken in the

regions, supported by the National Office for Research

and Technology.

The programme is intended for all legal entities: private

entrepreneurs, non-profit companies, educational and

research institution, governmental or private non-profit

research centres and foundations operating in the territory

of the szak-Alfld Region.

Gbor Baross Programme is financed from the Research

and Technology Innovation Fund, which provides stable

and reliable financing for RTDI activities. The independent

government Fund is envisioned to promote both

demand driven innovation and the knowledge based

9H u n g a r yG B O R B A R O S S P R O G R A M M E

competitiveness of companies. The Fund is financed by

mandatory contributions from all companies registered

in Hungary, matched with the same amount annually

from the government budget.

Contact: szak-Alfld Regional Development Agency http://www.eszakalfold.hu

ResultsIn the 4 years of its activity a total of 178 projects have been

financed in the szak-Alfld region, with an overall budget

of approximately 20 million Euros.

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I t a l y

Patent Monitoring consists of a monitoring of specialized international databases, with the aim of identifying patents of potential interest for enterprises. The service is provided by Centuria RIT, a Science and Technology Park in the Emilia-Romagna Region.


P A T E N T M O N I T O R I N GThe monitoring is conducted according to different

modalities: search by keywords; search by applicant/

assignee name - in this case the investigation focuses on

the individual or body applying for the patent; and specific

monitoring, related to the state of the art in a specific

sector/technology.

The Patent Monitor started in 2002, and is a continuous

service intended mainly for Associates of Centuria RIT in the

Emilia-Romagna Region.

Patent Monitoring on a continuous basis is free, the cost

being included in the Associates annual fee. For external

enterprises, it is financed by a regional project. Specific

researches or patent surveillance, depending on the search

requested, may require payment of a fee.

The enterprises involved in the patent monitoring services

come from two main sectors: manufacturing and agro-

food, and they can obtain information about patents of

interest, identify the state of the art of a sector, and carry

out strategic research and possible collaborations. The

service improves the innovation and competitiveness of

enterprises at a national and international level.

RESULTSPatent monitoring allows the user to focus R&D on specific

areas of interest; to be aware of newly issued patents and

patent applications in a specific sector, and to gain insights

into the market plans of various competitors.

It is often necessary to monitor the status and on-going

activity of pending patent applications or the patents

themselves, and to protect and defend patents as new

information becomes available. The service supports

enterprises by saving them time and money.

Strengths of the service: Ad hoc service/ personalized, The main aspects of the activity are tailored to the

individual enterprise,

Service on a continuous basis (search by keywords), free service,

Answers to enterprises need for information and updating,

Time-saving service for enterprises (which often have no time or resources for this kind of activity),

Specific, ad hoc information: Centuria RIT sifts, selects and summarizes the results according to the enterprise

sector/requests,

Centuria RIT provides support in the definition of

P A T E N T M O N I T O R I N G

11

I t a l y

research and in the analysis of outputs; the service

has a progressive structure: first an abstract with the

main information, then optional widening, finally the

complete text (free of charge) of the patent,

Data sources used by the service: free specialized

Contact: Centuria RIT Romagna Innovazione Tecnologia

Patrizia [email protected]

international databases (Espacenet, USPTO, UIBM,

Depatisnet, etc.) available to all,

The service is completely transferable (international database available, service methodology, different

types of search subjects in different sectors).

P A T E N T M O N I T O R I N G

12

S l o v e n i a

The e-VEM (Vse na Enem Mestu All in One Place) for companies is a web-based portal, which enables the free and simple registration of companies (simple limited company and private entrepreneur) within a few days. The portal is supported by a network of people and organizations which process applications and advise users.


e - V E M

The e-VEM for companies (available on evem.gov.si) project

was realized under the auspices of the Ministry of Public

Administration and presented to the public in February

2008. In the period from 1st January 2007 to 1st February

2008 more than 2.5 million EUR were invested in the

development and maintenance of the e-VEM system, the

training of VEM points referees, notaries and court referees,

and on a comprehensive promotional campaign. Further

funds were invested in the new development phase based

on the needs expressed by institutions and VEM officers.

Interfaces for information systems for six institutions were

developed:

the Agency of the Republic of Slovenia for Public

Legal Records and Related Services, where e-VEM

sends applications for registration in the court

register;

the Tax Administration, where e-VEM obtains a tax

number for a newly created company;

the Health Insurance Institute, where e-VEM sends

applications for mandatory health and pension

insurance;

the Employment Service, where e-VEM sends

applications related to labour demands;

the Chamber of Craft and Small Business of Slovenia,

where e-VEM sends the data needed to obtain a

trade license;

the Institute for Pension and Disability Insurance,

where e-VEM sends applications for mandatory

health and pension insurance;

At the same time the e-VEM system obtains data

from the Central Population Register, the Register of

Spatial Units, the Register of Taxpayers.

The e-VEM for companies system brings positive results to

business entities and public administration institutions. In

more than 90% of cases, applications are complete, which

enables the relevant institutions to make rapid decisions.

10.2 million EUR of savings for businesses per year have

been recorded. These savings are primarily derived from

the abolishment of various fees and the optimization

of procedures. There has been a 20% increase in limited

companies since the introduction of the e-VEM system

and users are highly satisfied (VEM points receive an overall

average rating of 4.7; 5.0 is the maximum rating).

13

S l o v e n i ae - V E M

In 2009 the project received the following awards:

The best 2009 IKT project, awarded by the Slovenian

Society of Information Technology.

The United Nations Public Service Award - UNPSA

Contact: Ministry of Public Administrationhttp://www.mju.gov.si [email protected] +386 1 4788330

2009 in the category Improving the delivery of

services in the public sector.

Good practice Label - European eGovernment

Awards 2009, from the European Commission.

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C z e c h R e p u b l i c

Vouchers represent a one-time grant to an entrepreneur intended for the purchase of services or knowledge from their providers universities. The knowledge obtained should be new to the entrepreneur and should facilitate innovation of their product, process or service. The assumption is that through these pilot projects the parties will establish long-term relationships and will then cooperate on more demanding projects in the future.


I N N O V A T I O N V O U C H E R S

The project, which has already been successfully tested, particularly in Western Europe, was introduced in the Czech Republic for the first time in March, 2009. Innovation vouchers help convince entrepreneurs that knowledge providers from the academic sphere are able

15

C z e c h R e p u b l i cI N N O V A T I O N V O U C H E R S

to solve their scientific and research problems effectively and without risk.

It is more a stimulation tool than a subsidy tool a voucher for one firm with a value of CZK 150,000 (6,000 EUR), cannot cover large projects. However, it can help motivate entrepreneurs to establish contacts with researchers, which would not normally be possible otherwise. Innovation vouchers give an opportunity, even to a project that would otherwise not come about without these subsidies. An important assumed side-effect is the strengthening of the role of resultant technology transfer centres at the universities. These will be the main channel for communication and a contact agent for carrying out specific researches.

The financial guarantor is the statutory city of Brno, the organisational project is provided by the South Moravian Innovation Centre and the knowledge providers are the following universities:

Contact: South Moravian Innovation Centre Mgr. Jindich Weiss

Brno University of Technology; University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Brno; Masaryk University, Czech Republic; Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry in

Brno.

Best practiseThe INVEA-TECH Company became the first Czech company to receive a subsidy through an innovation voucher. Together with the University of Technology in Brno, the company refreshed its product, the FlowMon probe for monitoring high speed networks. Probes are now able to more effectively monitor traffic on 10Gbps networks with guaranteed processing of each packet. The company featured among the three most successful companies in the world working with this technology. Thanks to an innovation voucher the firm was also able to participate in the contract for a major international client and establish cooperation with Stanford University.

16

H u n g a r y

The initiative of setting up Regional Innovation Agencies was launched in 2003, aiming to create regional structures facilitating and enhancing regional RDI performance in all the seven NUTS2 statistical regions of Hungary.


R E G I O N A L I N N O V A T I O N A G E N C I E S

The main aims of this scheme is to facilitate regional

cohesion; strengthen regions competitiveness by

supporting R&D and innovation projects; strengthen

firms competitiveness, especially that of SMEs operating

in regions; develop an innovation-friendly environment

in regions; strengthen regional innovation clusters, and

provide innovation services in regions, by establishing

Regional Innovation Agencies.

Regional Innovation Agencies are expected to facilitate

regional innovation processes, co-ordinate technological

innovation networks, provide innovation services and

integrate all these efforts and activities. This scheme provides

subsidies for the first 3 years of operation, although positive

impacts can only be felt in the medium- and long-term. The

first period of financing regional innovation agencies was

2005-2007 and the second period is 2008-2010. The overall

budget (for the period 2005-2007) was 8.400.000 Euro for 7

regions in Hungary this funding was used to set up the 7

regional agencies.

INNOVA szak-Alfld Regional Innovation Agency is one of

the regional innovation agencies. INNOVA plays a key role

in the implementation of szak-Alflds Regional Innovation

Strategy.

The agency was established by 6 key innovation players in

the szak-Alfld region:

szak-Alfld Regional Development Council (http://

www.eszakalfold.hu)

University of Debrecen (http://www. unideb.hu)

College of Nyregyhza (http://www. nyf.hu)

College of Szolnok (http://www. szolf.hu)

Northeast-Hungary Regional Development Plc.

(http://www. erf.hu)

Hungarian Association for Innovation (http://www.

innovacio.hu)

The mission of INNOVA besides the implementation of

the Regional Innovation Strategy is to become innovation

centre in the szak-Alfld region operating in a networking

model and to achieve results which are recognised at a

national and international level.

More specifically, INNOVA formulated the following direct

objectives to be achieved in the region:

to enhance innovation ability

to spur market-oriented RDI cooperation

17

H u n g a r yR E G I O N A L I N N O V A T I O N A G E N C I E S

to develop an innovation supportive environment

innovative human resource development

project management

To achieve its mission and objectives the agency provides

the following innovation services:

innovation, management and marketing

consultancy and training programmes

strategic planning, resource coordination and

management of decentralised funds

awareness raising, innovation surveys, foresight and

analysis

coordination of international projects, project

generation and partner search

ResultsImpacts will be measured in 2010.

Contact: INNOVA szak-Alfld Regional Innovation Agency http://www.innova.eszak-alfold.hu

18

E UP R O I N N O E u r o p e

PRO INNO Europe is part of the overall policy coordination with the Member States in the field of innovation, which is also facilitated by the Group of Senior Officials on innovation policy. Furthermore, close relations between PRO INNO Europe and the Innovating Regions in Europe (IRE) network will be established. Whereas PRO INNO Europe will concentrate on the overall analysis of innovation performance and innovation policies and provide a learning platform for trans-national co-operation, the IRE network will be used as the main communication channel with European regions on innovation policy matters.


PRO INNO Europe is an innovation policy initiative of the Directorate-General for Enterprise and Industry that intends to become the focal point of innovation policy analysis and development throughout Europe. The initiative unites the previously separate PAXIS initiative, the TrendChart on Innovation in Europe, including the European Innovation

Scoreboard, and the series of innovation policy studies in a common framework. Existing policy analysis and benchmarking activities are integrated with new incentives for trans-national cooperation, innovation actions and policy learning methods.

Furthermore, a close liaison between PRO INNO Europe and the Europe INNOVA initiative is ensured, for example through the Europe INNOVA Forum, which brings together in a virtual manner relevant sectoral innovation projects and policy initiatives, as well as through the bi-annual Europe INNOVA Conference. The idea is that the lessons learned from the Europe INNOVA projects shall be used as further input into the development of new innovation policies and strategies, as promoted by the INNO-Learning Platform. PRO INNO Europe was implemented in two stages, beginning in July 2006. In the first stage in mid-2006 four modules: INNO-Learning Platform, INNO-Nets, INNO-Actions and INNO-GRIPS were launched.

The INNO-Metrics, INNO-Policy TrendChart, INNO-Appraisal and INNO-Views modules were launched during the second stage of the implementation of PRO INNO Europe; over time the initiative became fully operational in early 2007.

The initiative primarily drew on funds from FP6 and, as of 2007, from the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework

19

E UP R O I N N O E u r o p e

Contact:use the online form at http://www.proinno-europe.eu/contact

Website: http://www.proinno-europe.eu/

Programme. The implementation of most modules is based on a call for proposals launched through a Specific Support Action of FP6. The INNO-Learning Platform, INNO-Nets, INNO-Actions and INNO-GRIPS are based on the INNOV-9 call for proposals.

PRO-INNO Europe is based on two pillars accommodating a total of eight modules. Each of these follows a specific key

INNO - NetsINNO - Metrics

INNO - Appraisal

INNO - GRIPS

INNO - Wiews

INNO - Policy TrendChart INNO-Actions

INNO-Learning Platform

Policy CooperationPolicy Analiysis

Innovation Policy Advisory Board(ex-GSO)

INNO-Learning Steering Group(INNO-LSG)

aim of the initiative, as shown in the chart below. Although these actions are different in nature, they form part of a wider integrated policy approach intended to develop new and better innovation policies based on sound policy analysis and reliable statistics. This will prepare the ground for innovation actions covering the whole range of policy aspects and involving a multitude of different actors.

source: http://www.proinno-europe.eu

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S l o v e n i a

Young researchers in the economy is an initiative to introduce more highly-educated staff in private companies and to stimulate companies to hire young graduates to enhance their R&D and innovation activities and thus to overcome the existing gap between research organizations and industry.


Y O U N G R E S E A R C H E R S I N T H E E C O N O M Y

The service is mainly financially-oriented, providing co-

financing for salaries and some materials costs, for a young

researcher, who is employed in a company while pursuing

a PhD at the university. Through this support the young

researcher engages in research work with mentorship both

by the company and university.

Previously managed by the Ministry of Higher Education,

Science and Technology, the program is now run by the

Public Agency for Technology of the Republic of Slovenia

(TIA) in the 2007-2013 financial cycle, and is co-financed by

the European Social Fund. Beneficiaries are enterprises and

technology centres as employers of young researchers

and research organizations and universities as providers

of formal education. Together they agree on a young

researchers research programme.

Project proposals are ranked according to the following

criteria: suitability of a young researcher; suitability of the

mentors; suitability of a proposer (company); suitability of a

research group (whether the companys own if it has one

or an outsourced group); the training programme. The

criteria for eligibility for students are that they must have

finished under-graduate study and be 35 years or under (for

students with a masters degree, 38 years).

In the period between 2001 and 2006, when the Ministry

was managing the Young Researchers in the Economy,

support was awarded to 233 young researchers. So far 144

young researchers have already obtained a PhD or masters

degree. 90 of them have continued their employment in

the economic sector (78 in the same company as when

they were young researchers), 8 of them have found a job

in a public institute, and the others are engaged in further

studies or there is no data available.

The experience from this period also suggests that there

is competition among the companies for good graduates.

Links between participating enterprises and research

organisations have been established, offering more

opportunities for technology and knowledge transfer.

21

S l o v e n i aY O U N G R E S E A R C H E R S I N T H E E C O N O M Y

Number of young researchers in the economy (approved project proposals) according to scientific field (2001-2006):

Science field / Year 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

Natural Sciences and Mathematics 5 6 4 6 9 8

Engineering 16 12 18 23 36 35

Medicine 2 2 - - 3 3

Biotechnology 4 3 3 3 2 5

Social Sciences 5 1 1 3 4 2

Humanities 1 - - - 1 1

Multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research

- 1 2 - 1 2

Total: 33 25 28 35 56 56

Contact: Dr. Janez Marko Slabe Public Agency for Technology of the Republic of Slovenia http://www.tia.si

[email protected] Tel: +386 590 89 500

Mateja Nemani Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology http://[email protected] Tel: +386 1 478 4793

22


A brokerage event is an advanced tool dedicated to setting up new partnerships and launching new collaborative project proposals. It is a way of strengthening the cooperation between industries and research units and giving organizations a simple, direct and accessible way to find partners all around Czech Republic and Europe.


B R O K E R A G E E V E N T S

The purpose of the brokerage event is to enhance opportunities for companies to explore and find cooperation. Another aim is to assist enterprises, universities and research institutions in finding partners for product development, manufacturing, licensing agreements, joint ventures or other types of partnership. A wide range of opportunities is available as all types of collaboration sought are offered;

(Research & Development, Technical Co-operation, Joint Venture Agreements, Manufacturing Agreements, Licence Agreements, Commercial Agreements, etc.).

The events also create the opportunity to transfer the experience, expertise and contacts between successful Project coordinators from the Czech Republic and the EU to potential partners, who will have the chance to realize their ideas and scientific potential.

The preparation of each event takes several months, but the event itself lasts two days, including plenary sessions, parallel workshops on specific areas and facilities for bilateral discussions. The brokerage event is an appropriate place for the participants to present themselves, to show each other their expertise and their collaborative project ideas.

How are the brokerage events organized? On a website you have to register and then insert

a profile - in which you describe, briefly, what your company/institute is doing and what you are offering/looking for

After the deadline for registration a catalogue will be generated, containing offers and requests from registered subjects

After the deadline you are encouraged to visit the catalogue and select offers/requests you are

23


B R O K E R A G E E V E N T S

interested in. The same will be done by other participants. In this way you will actually create a meetings schedule

Each event has a focus on one or more business sectors, and usually over a 2 day period the participating businesses meet during pre-arranged 30 minute appointments to establish contacts, gain information on their respective market places, negotiate deals and much more...

Companies and research laboratories are given the opportunity to participate in a brokerage event based on one-to-one confidential meetings between technology developers and users in order to foster technical cooperation. The brokerage event is also a chance to deepen the contacts made during conferences, workshops and round tables. Brokerage events, including those organized by Enterprise Europe Network, are well appreciated by European companies. It is a good way to meet several potential partners in a short time.

Contact: Enterprise Europe Network CR Daniela Vchov

24

H u n g a r y

This project gives an opportunity to the regions start-up innovative enterprises which do not have their own technical and communicational equipment or do not have experience in business life at present. The project is designed to accelerate the successful development of start-up small and medium-sized enterprises in the region through an array of business support resources and services. The incubator house also offers services for foreign enterprises that want to invest in the region and need adequate background information about local business possibilities.

ProfitabilityInitial resources for setting up the service Independence Soft factors Hard factors

I N C U B A T O R H O U S E F O R T H E F U T U R E !

The mission of the initiative is to increase the likelihood that

a start-up company will stay in business for the long term.

The main objective was to establish a business incubator

house which can offer complex innovation advisory and

support services for start-up SMEs which are interested in

the field of information technology and the software in-

dustry, renewable energy sources and the plastic/metal

industry. The project also supports the creation of an SME

network to enhance the diffusion of relevant information

and knowledge.

The services provided by the project are the following: help with business basics

networking activities

marketing assistance

high-speed internet access

support with accounting/financial management

links to higher education resources

links to strategic partners

comprehensive business training programs

advisory services

IP management

technology commercialization assistance

The total budget of the project is 1,8 million Euros.

25

H u n g a r yI N C U B A T O R H O U S E F O R T H E F U T U R E !

Contact: Sndor Lak PhD, project manager Tel: +36 30 4635320 [email protected]

3D design of the incubator house in Kecskemt

26

I t a l y

The service is supplied by SIMPLER - Support Services to Improve the innovation and competitiveness of businesses in the Lombardia and Emilia-Romagna Regions: a consortium that has been operating within the Enterprise Europe Network since 1st January 2008.


R E S E A R C H B Y C O M M E R C I A L , T E C H N O L O G I C A L A N D S C I E N T I F I C P A R T N E R S

PARTNERING: helping clients to identify commercial, technology or research and development partners across

Italy and Europe. In particular:

Commercial Partners: to identify suitable partners (agents, distributors, suppliers) in other European

countries;

Technology Partners: to promote clients innovative products and technologies to prospective partners,

licensees and customers. The client can: promote his/

her own technology: a Technology Offer profile will

be drafted which will be published on the Enterprise

Europe Network database and disseminated across

Europe; search for technology: to help clients to source

specific products, technologies or expertise through an

extensive network of contacts. A Technology Request

will be drafted for circulation around Europe.

For both Offers and Requests, the profiles are published

anonymously and the identity and contact details are

not released to third parties without the clients prior

approval.

R&D Partners: to find partners for research and development projects, either by publicising their own

partner search or helping them to join an existing

project consortium.

EUROPEAN INFORMATIONActing as a first point of enquiry for businesses to provide

information on European legislation, policies, funding and

market opportunities.

SIMPLER can help organisations become more competitive

by keeping them up-to-date with information on:

Public contracts and tenders

European markets

EU policy affecting different sectors

EU legislation and the regulatory framework

Innovation and research & development (R&D),

including the EU Framework Programme (FP7)

Protecting intellectual property in Europe

European funding opportunities and business

support

EU R&D OPPORTUNITIESAssisting the company and the researcher to tap into EU

funding for research and development, particularly the

Framework Programme and other European programmes.

Through a range of information and partnering services

SIMPLER can support regional organisations, particularly

27

I t a l yR E S E A R C H B Y C O M M E R C I A L , T E C H N O L O G I C A L A N D S C I E N T I F I C P A R T N E R S

SMEs, to take advantage of the opportunities that EU

funded collaborative R&D can bring. SIMPLER can help

organisations to understand what type of funding is

available and how to access it, as well as assisting them

in finding the partners they need to develop their project

consortium.

Contact: Aster - Science Technology Business

Staff SIMPLER [email protected] http://www.aster.it/simpler.html

The services are free and are supplied in accordance with

the needs of the enterprise and the research system, and

are specific for different economic sectors. The purpose

of the partner research is to develop trade, business or

technological co-operation between SMEs and research

organisations across Europe.

28

E UT H E E N T E R P R I S E E - S E R V I C E S P O R T A L

The Enterprise e-Services Portal is an interactive website intended to provide stakeholders with a secure central point of access to all Enterprise and Industry-related e-services, including (currently):

specific web applications; subscription to events, seminars and conferences; subscription to publications (i.e. magazines, newsletters, etc.).


Stakeholders include national and regional authorities and their representations in Brussels, other EU institutions, business organisations at European, national and regional levels, individual companies, research associations, universities, non-governmental organisations, press agencies., etc. Access to the portal is controlled by a registration procedure whereby visitors are granted a personal password. Using this password, registered visitors are then able to request access to the specific applications that they need to use on the portal, and to manage their profiles.

This website is developed and managed by the European Commissions Directorate General for Enterprise and Industry. It aims to disseminate information on all EU policies, actions and initiatives promoting economic growth and development, with a view to strengthening the competitiveness of EU enterprises.

The service/site offers: an up-to-date coverage of EU enterprise policies specific pages covering the industry sectors news, events, speeches electronic publications EU business statistics and benchmarking open consultations and forums. multimedia content : videos as well as recordings of

web streamed events

The aim is to provide European entrepreneurs and other interested visitors (or parties) with the information they are looking for in their own language or in a language they can understand.

Official documents are available in at least the languages which were official at the date of publication. Other documents, of a non-legally binding nature, are frequently published in English, French and German. General information on the homepage, and in most sections immediately accessible from the homepage, is available in all official languages. Information immediately accessible from the industry sector and policy home pages is generally available in at least three languages: English, French and German. Specific information campaigns, targeted to all EU entrepreneurs and particularly to SMEs,

29

E UT H E E N T E R P R I S E E - S E R V I C E S P O R T A L

Contact:European Commission Enterprise and Industry DG Communication and Information Unit R4

BREY 13/092 B - 1049 Brussels (Belgium)

are launched in all EU official languages. Specialised information in the deep levels of the website is generally available only in English.

The use of the portal is free of charge; however users have to register to get access to information. Applications available via the portal include the following services:

NOISE (conformity submission): Using this application, manufacturers or their representatives can send their Declarations of Conformity with the NOISE directive electronically.

NOISE (equipment subject to noise limits): A public database for consultation of equipment subject to noise limits.

OSN: One Stop Notification (OSN) is a web based tool, allowing manufacturers of radio equipment

to notify, via a secure link and through a single procedure, their intention to place products on the market of Member States.

Source of information/website: https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/enterprise-portal/

30

S l o v e n i a

The purpose of the competition is to support and stimulate researchers at the University of Maribor to cooperate closely with companies. The unique characteristic of the competition is that the best researcher is chosen only by companies which collaborate with the University on R&D.


T H E B E S T R E S E A R C H E R C O M P E T I T I O N

The TechnoCenter, the technology transfer office at

the University of Maribor, introduced the competition

in 2006 and has been implementing it ever since. The

procedure is the following: a public call is issued to all

companies which collaborate with the University on

R&D to award points to the researcher or researchers

whom they work with. Researchers are graded, based

on various criteria, which differ from year to year. For

example: the availability of the researcher; the quality

of problem solving: the innovativeness of solutions;

respect for intellectual property and business secrecy;

the researchers initiative; the quality of communication;

the companys increased profitability; the integration of

the researcher in the companys business; opportunities

for future collaboration; the general impression created

by the researcher.

Each point is worth a certain amount of money and a

prize fund is created from companies donations, and is

then awarded to the researcher with the most points. The

winner is announced at the Meeting of Researchers and

Entrepreneurs and presented to the media. Along with the

best researcher, companies which grade researchers are

promoted.

The unique and innovative feature of the competition is

that only the opinion of the companies counts. Research

achievements as evaluated by the Universitys habilitation

criteria carry a small weight only when two or more

researchers share first place.

31

S l o v e n i aT H E B E S T R E S E A R C H E R C O M P E T I T I O N

Funds raised in the first three years of the competition

vary from 3,700 EUR to 8,000 EUR, which is a considerable

financial stimulus for the researcher and his/her work,

but the most important aspect is to motivate researchers

through competition to strengthen collaboration with the

economic sector and to pursue the universitys strategy to

become more involved in regional development.

On the other hand, by taking part in the competition and

grading the researchers the companies promote their

readiness for joint projects and knowledge transfer with

the University. In addition, the companies are promoted

in various publications and e-materials as good partners of

the University.

Contact: Anton Habjani, Ph.D TechnoCenter at the University of Maribor

http://www.tehnocenter.uni-mb.siTel: +386 2 235 53 65 [email protected]

32

H u n g a r y

Regional Knowledge Centres foster the creation of research and technological innovation centres at universities. The Knowledge Centres are intended to co-operate closely with businesses and accelerate the given regions technological and economic development, thus enhancing competitiveness both at a regional and national level.


T H E P Z M N Y P T E R P R O G R A M : R E G I O N A L K N O W L E D G E C E N T R E S A T U N I V E R S I T I E S

The Regional Knowledge Centre projects are supported

financially by the National Office for Research and

Technology (the Hungarian governments grant

management organization) and implemented through a

consortium. Universities and state-financed, non-profit or

other research organizations, and companies located within

60 kms of the university can apply jointly. The consortium

is headed by a university, and industrial partners must be

involved in the project. There is no limit on the number of

partners involved.

The activity of the Knowledge Centres is based on research

and development including basic research, applied

research and experimental development with a well-

defined professional focus.

Objectives to carry on internationally competitive, well-focused

and application oriented research and development

in a consortium

to facilitate the commercialization of inventions,

patents and other research results

to build a modern R&D infrastructure and provide

companies with R&D services

to involve PhD students and young scientists in R&D

activities

to extend international R&D cooperation

to foster collaboration between research institutes,

enterprises and industrial actors

to increase the number of new start-up and spin-off

companies and incubation centres

to upgrade innovation related skills and diffuse new

technologies among enterprises

to ensure that future skills meet the innovation

needs of enterprises and facilitate the access of

enterprises to skilled and professional research

personnel

ResultsAltogether 19 Regional Knowledge Centres have been

established in Hungary in the last five years, and these have

been conducting internationally competitive, application-

oriented research projects. The significant innovation

activities and collaboration with industrial partners have

caused scientific and economic benefits for all participants,

especially for the region. Employment has increased, and

33

H u n g a r yT H E P Z M N Y P T E R P R O G R A M : R E G I O N A L K N O W L E D G E C E N T R E S A T U N I V E R S I T I E S

university and PhD students have been involved in research

and development. An innovation-led, business-oriented

approach has developed in higher education.

Major sectors affected: automotive industry, info-bionics,

genomics, neurobiology, mechatronics, information

technology, nanotechnology, the pharmaceutical industry,

food safety, energy industry, e-science.

Good Practice Genomnanotech Regional Knowledge

Centre (GND RKC) The GND RKC project was launched in 2004 and ended

in 2009. The University of Debrecen and 16 contributing

industrial partners executed a complex research program

through a consortium, using a subsidy of 6 million EUR

with a contribution of 3.5 million EUR of their own financial

resources. The GND RKC had four scientific subprograms

and a technology transfer program. The four scientific

programs dealt with the following:

1. New approaches to the diagnosis and therapy of

metabolic syndromes covering the highest morbidity

diseases: from genomics to clinical applications.

2. Foundation of a competitive agro-biotechnology

industry in the environs of the University of Debrecen: a

Contact: Genomnanotech Regional Knowledge Centre

E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://detti.unideb.hu

partnership stretching from genomics to production.

3. Industrial level development of drug candidates and

functional foods and safety pharmacology services.

4. Biomedical measurement methods and nanotech-

nology.

The project achieved its two main goals: it launched

translational R&D activities focusing on developments

that are considered to have major significance in the

environment of the University of Debrecen and exercise a

major influence at the regional and national level, and it set

up the basis for technology transfer in the region. The R&D

activity in this project resulted in 22 patent applications and

the development of more than 100 new technologies. A

new industrial culture and a significant number of jobs have

been created and the University of Debrecen has become

a key player in the region with respect to life sciences and

related interdisciplinary research. The industrial partners

of the University of Debrecen underwent a dynamic

development during the project: the average net income

growth per company had been 22 % before starting the

project, and climbed to 55 % between 2005 and 2008. The

number of employees increased annually by an average of

15 % per company.

34

I t a l y

A Technology Transfer Day (TTDay) consists of a series of pre-arranged bilateral meetings organized at a single venue for SMEs working in the particular field examined during the event.


T E C H N O L O G Y T R A N S F E R D A Y

In pre-arranged bilateral meetings, participants have

the opportunity to explore the possibility of future

collaborations, such as licensing agreements, development

cooperation, joint ventures, commercial agreements with

technical assistance or manufacturing agreements.

TTDays can be organized not only as stand alone events, but

also at exhibitions and conferences: these events can bring

an added value for companies; they can organize extra

meetings and start co-operation with other participants at

the event.

The event involves not only companies, multi-nationals with

or without R&D functions, and SMEs, but also public and

private R&D institutions and universities. The technology

transfer days are particularly focused on public and private

organisations which offer and/or demand advanced and

innovative processes and technologies.

The TTDay can be introduced by a scientific seminar, during

which innovative technology profiles can be presented and

the participants have the opportunity to discuss the issues

raised.

Results The most important element of the Technology Transfer

Day is the technology profiles catalogue. This document

can be produced in paper format but also as an online

catalogue, and enables the meetings to be scheduled

effectively.

Registered participants can enter their technologies

and/or their cooperation requirements in the catalogue,

and anyone identifying interesting contacts to meet in

the catalogue can request a one-to-one meeting.

35

I t a l yT E C H N O L O G Y T R A N S F E R D A Y

Contact: Centuria RIT Pari Chiara [email protected]

One of the aims of the Technology Transfer Days is to initiate

future collaboration and to promote the transfer of know-

how between the suppliers and users of technology who

attend the events.

TTDays are organized following an established format

that has demonstrated success on many occasions

at national and international level, and that could be

taught for transfer.

36


Clusters are seen as an important tool for the development of competitive economies and innovation. They are defined as a network of interconnected firms, institutions of knowledge production, supporting institutions (e.g., centres for technology transfer, science parks etc.) and customers connected in the production chain which creates added value.


C L U S T E R S

A clustered environment can be likened to a system in which change is managed and in which this change is implemented on the basis of synergy, critical mass, consensus and motivated cooperation. The cluster approach allows a recognizing and strengthening of the infrastructure supporting businesses in a way that current intervention in economic development fails to achieve. It is understood as a holistic view of the core categories that affect economic competitiveness, which are education, research, development and innovation, the promotion of entrepreneurship, investment, industrial property, and the development of supply chains, and it also encompasses social inclusion and sustainable development. These systemic functional abilities predispose cluster environments to become a strategic tool for increasing competitiveness.

General contributions of clusters: They create conditions that allow innovation to be

stimulated, including more efficient use of research

and development. This contributes to growth and a return on investment in public sector institutions such as a tertiary education and research institutes.

They improve the performance of individual businesses and create conditions for the emergence of new businesses that increase innovation and accelerate the process of the restructuring and diversification of industry.

They attract more and higher quality inward investment, which may include research and development.

Strong clusters generate an environment in which there are specialized skills, knowledge, research and development, know-how and qualified contractors who may be attractive to investors.

They function as new sources of regional or local benefits, and put into motion a process of cumulative growth and development through the creation of critical mass and the external economies arising from it.

They offer a comprehensive strategic agenda and framework for the integration and formation of policy that avoids duplication and overlap.

Around the world there are a number of clusters making use of local characteristics in global competition. The best known is probably Silicon Valley in the USA. The formation

37

C z e c h R e p u b l i cC L U S T E R S

and development of clusters offer different ways to support regional development agencies (in the U.S. due to offshoring in the EU due to the lag in innovation, and in Africa helping with industrialization). The Czech Republic supports the cluster development of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, CzechInvest and the implementation, in 2007 - 2013 of the Operational Program for Enterprise and Innovation. Active support of cluster initiatives has already existed in the Czech Republic for several years. The aim of

Contact: Czechinvest - Investment and Business Development Agency

[email protected]

this support is to use cooperative groupings as tools for the creation of innovations and the improvement of the Czech economys competitiveness. If is the company is at the stage of identifying or finding suitable companies to cluster with and is looking for suitable partners they would like to contact, if a university or region would like to participate in one of the cluster initiatives in their region, if they wish to provide details regarding their needs and the services they offer, they should contact the address below:

38

E UI N N O V A T I O N E U R O P E

Innovation Europe is a web portal providing a global platform for Europes most innovative companies, products, research and applications and highlights delivery and successful exploitation of innovative ideas. The main reason for the development of this portal is the fact that the key to growth in Europe is innovation.


By promoting partnerships and co-operation within Europe, Innovation Europe is driving improvements in knowledge transfer and cross-border collaboration, and is helping to bridge the gap between research and development.Innovation Europe promotes an environment where academia, research and business can collaborate in order

to accelerate the innovation process and gain a global competitive advantage for Europe.

Innovation Europe is produced by Roxby Media Ltd. Roxby Media is an international publishing company specializing in business-to-business and professional publications targeted at highly selective audiences in specific fields. For organizations operating within these highly-specialized fields, it has always been essential to reach and influence key audiences selectively. Roxby Media has developed a unique publishing service for such organizations, maximizing the effectiveness of communications by controlling the editorial environment in which they appear.

As can be seen from the screen-shot, Innovation Europe offers several services and products to users:

Source:

http://www.innovationeu.org/

39

E UI N N O V A T I O N E U R O P E

Contact:Roxby Media Ltd The Diary House

Rickett Street London - SW6 RU1 Phone: +44 (0)20 7386 6100 Fax: +44 (0)20 7381 8890E-mail: [email protected]

These include up-to-date information on innovative European countries. Users can find information on European clusters which are seeking to improve and strengthen their performance and innovativeness. Clusters are more than mere user-producer linkages between industries. They are drivers in todays knowledge society comprising networks of interdependent firms, knowledge-producing institutions, intermediaries and related customers, all linked

through complex value-added chains. In recent years, European and national policy measures have increasingly targeted innovative industry clusters. A wealth of practical experience on cluster management and development has been accumulated and can be drawn on by clusters in Europe. The information, which users can find free of charge on this web portal is very useful and the site is easy to navigate.

Website: http://www.innovationeu.org/

40

H u n g a r y

The program is managed by the Venture Finance Hungary Plc. and the Bcs-Kiskun County Foundation for Development of Enterprises. The aim is to develop micro enterprises that cannot be entirely, or sufficiently financed with commercial banking methods, by improving their credit options. The main reason for this program is that the small credit needs of micro enterprises are difficult for the banks to handle, and due to these problems the relative transaction fees are too high, and enterprises would find it difficult to meet the bank's collateral requirements.


M I C R O C R E D I T P R O G R A M

The Venture Finance Hungary Private Ltd. Company and

the Bcs-Kiskun County Foundation for Development of

Enterprises signed a contract in 2008 in order to finance

micro credits for the micro enterprises of the region. The

program helped to ensure the necessary financial resources

and supporting constructions for the development of

the infrastructure and investments of the regions micro

enterprises.

The goals of the credit products are the following: Financial services in order to manage the incomplete

markets arising from market failures.

To give assistance to the target group in order to

ensure they can acquire and retain Hungarian and

European Union subsidies.

Financial assistance for disadvantaged sections of

society in the fight against poverty by enhancing

the establishment of enterprises and by improving

the development of self-employment.

Beside the general goals mentioned above the program

provides financial expertise for enterprises which require

credit. This consultancy activity involves financial advice,

assistance in the credit process, mediation between

financial institutes and market actors, writing personalized

financial analyses, submission of tenders and competitions

and organizing workshops and conferences to bring

together all the parties concerned.

The targeted micro-credit applicant: micro enterprises

turnover not in excess of 715 000 Euros (or a new

enterprise)

its activity does not fall under de minimis restrictions

has not so far been able to get into the bank credit

loop

has well-conceived and promising business plans

already possesses at least 20% of the planned

developmental resources

41

H u n g a r yM I C R O C R E D I T P R O G R A M

The concrete results of 2009:

Requests received 145 000 Euros

Requests accepted 140 000 Euros

Granted credit 152 000 Euros

Average credit 20 000 Euros

Contact: Pter Csonka PhD Bcs-Kiskun County Foundation for Development of Enterprises

www.bacs-lea.hu [email protected] +36-76-485-585

42

S l o v e n i a

Start:up Slovenia is an all-Slovenian competition for start-up companies, which offers opportunities for start-up companies to present themselves, compete with their business models, connect with potential investors, and get professional support, financial rewards and publicity.


S T A R T : U P S L O V E N I A

The competition is organized by Venture Factory, a business

incubator at the University of Maribor. It aims to stimulate

the development of entrepreneurial activity in Slovenia and

to promote the importance of innovative entrepreneurship.

Although it is an annual event, the learning process runs

throughout the year. In this way the entrepreneurs are not

only better informed, more skilled and better prepared

for the final competition, but also more innovative and

competitive on the market. Project Start:up Slovenia

therefore includes:

Start:up workshops, organized all around Slovenia

with the help of regional partners and focused on

business plan elaboration, funding options, talks

with entrepreneurs;

Start:up schools, organized in university centres and

conducted by experienced professionals who have

faced the challenges of entrepreneurship and have

the proper know-how in the field;

100% Start:up forum, an all-day event packed with

useful information on start-up business models,

networking, and examples of good practices;

the international conference on entrepreneurship

and innovation: PODIM.

The Start:up competition begins with the registration of

competitors companies which have been operating less

than three years, which have not received any major venture

capital investment, whose founders are still the majority

owners and are not part of a bigger well established

company, and whose operations, products and services

are based on their own knowledge and development. All

applications are then evaluated by the expert jury based on

the judging criteria. The winner is declared at the end of the

international business conference PODIM, and is presented

43

S l o v e n i aS T A R T : U P S L O V E N I A

with the honorary title Slovenian Start-up of the Year and

a grand prize.

All the services and events of Start:up Slovenia are free for

participants and competitors. At the last two competitions,

75 start-up companies entered the competition and 15

of them went to the finals; more than 2,000 participants

attended Start:up workshops, schools, forums and

Contact: Urban Lapajne Venture Factory (Tovarna podjemov)

http://www.tovarnapodjemov.org+386 2 229 42 78 [email protected]

conferences; both of the winning companies received

financial investment from a venture capital investor; the

winning companies also received the grand prize of 10,000

EUR, places in the CEED top class program, worth 5,000 EUR,

and increased visibility in public (at the last competition

there were more than 45 journalistic contributions in

different media).

44

I t a l y

We Tech Off extends the range and reach of I Tech Off, the first business incubator for the ICT sector developed in Emilia-Romagna, to other sectors, enforcing it with strong cooperation, and sharing and improving the contents, in particular in terms of internationalization, contacts with the market and networking with existing enterprises.


W E T E C H O F F

Promoted by ASTER, the Consortium involving the Emilia-

Romagna Regional Government, 5 Universities, 3 National

Research Centres and the Entrepreneurial Associations of

the region, together with the collaboration of the Ministry

of Economic Development, the service is operative in the

Emilia Romagna Region from 2008 until 2012.

The development path of We Tech Off supports 60

entrepreneurial projects in the assessment phase of the

feasibility of the entrepreneurial idea (pre-incubation) and

40 enterprises in the starting phase of their business activity

(incubation).

The development path is structured in three phases: pre-

incubation, incubation and post-incubation, corresponding

to the different access conditions, services and aims of each

phase.

The pre-incubation phase lasts 5 months and is addressed

to those who are developing a business project and still

need to assess its feasibility. The incubation phase lasts

18 months, but can be extended for a further 6 months;

it is dedicated to neo-enterprises or to those close to

foundation.

The post-incubation phase lasts 12 months. It is aimed at

firms that have already completed the incubation phase

and offers a set of support services for business growth,

such as fund raising, personnel search and networking

activities.

AnalysisTo have access to the service, it is necessary to follow the

guidelines given for the presentation of a business project.

The call for proposals opened in 2008, on September 5th,

and will close in December 2011.

The purpose of We Tech Off is to promote entrepreneurship

culture, sustaining projects with strong innovative

characteristics. The business idea must be based on the

contribution of original scientific and/or technological

know-how, and provide for the application or the utilization

of a technology.

The actions designed to support the creation of new

companies create benefits for the territory, in terms of a

45

I t a l yW E T E C H O F F

technological boost and also in the improvement of the

competitiveness of the regional economy. These activities

also assure a direct increase in the employment levels in the

sectors of the various enterprises supported.

I Tech Off and We Tech Off have supported the creation of a

significant number of business projects, the establishment

of start-up companies, created many jobs and contributed

to Emilia-Romagnas GDP.

Innovation features mainly regard the development of

a well defined support path that has proven viability in

previous cases.

Contact: Aster Science Technology Business

Lucie [email protected] http://www.wetechoff.eu/

The transferable aspects include the organization model,

the service packages for each business development phase

and specific tools that have been developed to manage

support services, monitor enterprise progression, analyze

entrepreneurship spirit etc.

46


Business incubators are programs designed to accelerate the successful development of entrepreneurial companies through an array of business support resources and services, developed and orchestrated by incubator management and offered both in the incubator and through its network of contacts.

B U S I N E S S I N C U B A T O R S

The number of small and medium-sized innovative enterprises is one of the criteria of the economic level of a country. Starting a business is very difficult for small innovative firms; however these firms often have a huge profit potential and in the future they can create many new jobs and bring other economic effects. Business incubators are founded to support the establishment of innovative firms.

The business incubator is a facility (building), designed for new firms to help them in the starting phase of their entrepreneurial activity. It is space where advantageous conditions exist for starting firms. These advantages include for example low rent, a sharing of infrastructure, free services or services at discounted prices. The enterprise can stay there only for a limited period.

The business incubators offer support to entrepreneurs through the so-called one-stop-shop and by sharing various equipment. It can cause a decrease in the operating cost of firms. The incubators also increase firms survival rate and increase the growth possibilities of start-ups and small firms in the early stage of their development. The incubators also enable the transfer of ideas into commercial form, so they

have been used as an instrument to support innovations and technology transfer. Other tasks of incubators are to contribute to increasing competitiveness and assistance in the creation of spin-offs. The incubators often serve as a catalyst for the commercialization of technology and the results of research. Business incubators also facilitate communication among incubated firms and so these firms can consult about shared problems and can advise each other. What is more, the range of products developed by incubated firms may be complementary, e.g. firm A produces hardware and firm B develops software for it.

ResultsIn the Czech Republic incubators have been operating since the early 1990s and at present there are about 30 incubators. Thanks to support from structural funds their number is continually increasing. In the Czech Republic they are often part of a science and technology park. Incubators can be established by municipalities, regions, non-profit or interested organizations and by private firms. The large number of founding bodies is one of the reasons why there is no accurate list of incubators. Only a minority of business incubators in the Czech Republic are aimed at innovative firms. Most incubators serve all types of firms.

Business incubators in the Czech Republic can be supported from several resources. The most important is the PROSPERITY programme which is a part of the Operative Programme


47

C z e c h R e p u b l i cB U S I N E S S I N C U B A T O R S

for Enterprise and Innovation. The aims of the PROSPERITY programme are infrastructure support to strengthen research and development links to industry, infrastructure

support for industrial research, technological development and innovation, and the improvement of the environment for technologically oriented companies.

48

H u n g a r y

The Knowledge and Technology Transfer Office at the University of Debrecen aims to facilitate the transfer of research results achieved at higher education institutions into business and industry, as well as to spread innovation culture among those working and studying at these institutions.


T H E K N O W L E D G E A N D T E C H N O L O G Y T R A N S F E R O F F I C E A T T H E U N I V E R S I T Y O F D E B R E C E N

UD TTO facilitates the application of R&D results and

technologies developed at the University of Debrecen.

As a non-profit transfer organization, UD TTO plays a

mediator role between the university, companies and

investors.

Main activities: Supporting innovative ideas and projects

Managing the knowledge map of the szak-Alfld

Region

Developing and maintaining a network with R&D

enterprises in the region

Creating an online technology search service and an

online-project monitoring system

Full management of intellectual property

Supporting spin-off foundations

Investment promotion in the R&D intensive sectors

of the region

Licensing

Initiation of innovation training, extending

innovation culture

Creating an international technology transfer

network - adopting international good practices,

cooperation with international research and

technology transfer institutes

Regulations for managing IP at University of Debrecen According to the Intellectual Property Management

Regulations the Technology Transfer Office of the University

of Debrecen is responsible for managing IP created at the

University.

Figure 1 shows the innovation management system of the

University of Debrecen.

Achievements UD TTO prepared the knowledge map of the

University of Debrecen and as a result, a database

was created with detailed information relating to

210 research groups

A project evaluation system was developed to

screen university projects

R&D agreements to be signed by the University have

to be reviewed by the TTO

49

H u n g a r yT H E K N O W L E D G E A N D T E C H N O L O G Y T R A N S F E R O F F I C E A T T H E U N I V E R S I T Y O F D E B R E C E N

Partnership agreements were signed between the

University and R&D&I companies

UD TTO manages 23 technologies and patent

applications in 2010

Nine spin-off companies have been founded in the

past 5 years

Contact: University of Debrecen Knowledge and Technology Transfer Office

E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://detti.unideb.hu

Licence negotiations have been started to utilize the

Universitys IP

A spin-off training programme has been organized

in 2010 for graduate students interested in

entrepreneurship

Figure 1:

Intellectual

property

management

and project

evaluation

system at the

University of

Debrecen

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E UT H E E U R O P E A N I N V E S T M E N T F U N D

The European Investment Fund (EIF) was founded in 1994 as a joint venture between three shareholder groups: the European Investment Bank (EIB) (62%), the European Commission (EC) (29%) and a number of European financial institutions (30 from 17 countries, making up 9%). EIFs main task then was to provide financial institutions with infrastructure and guarantee instruments for SME finance.

Profitability (N/A)Initial resources for setting up the service Independence Soft factors Hard factors

In June 2000, EIF was restructured and its shareholding structure was modified with the EIB becoming the majority shareholder, culminating in the formation of the EIB Group. Since the 2000 restructuring, EIF has continued to provide portfolio guarantees for institutions involved in SME finance.

EIF is Europes leading developer of risk financing for entrepreneurship and innovation. Uniquely

innovation services guidebook

Documents