Scaling the Effects of Project ImMediaTe October 24, 2011
Nearly 100 partners, policy-makers and other innovation stakeholders gathered in Berlin, on October 12-14, for the final Europe INNOVA Annual Partnering Event. One and a half days were devoted to thematic sessions, round tables and the presentation of case studies addressing how Europe INNOVA partnerships can be scaled into large-scale demonstrators.
Reinhard Büscher, Head of Unit Support for Industrial Innovation at DG Enterprise and Industry, reminded the audience that Europe INNOVA had shifted its emphasis from finding best practices to developing better practices and from creating networks to developing partnerships.
Mr. Büscher pointed out that large-scale demonstrators or self-sustainable eco-systems are necessary to allow European regions to identify their best assets and to use them to transform their economies, address societal challenges and foster smart specialization.
ProjectImMediaTe, which is coordinated by Filas, provides a very good example of this approach. The project dedicated to improving the value of digital media and creative industries through innovative business models and services has spurred the Lazio Region to conceive an instrument to address the knowledge gap that affects many SMEs.
Two weeks ago, the Lazio Region launched a €4 million innovation voucher call specifically targeting innovating services and businesses. This new tool will by managed by Filas to help SMEs acquires services for IPR management, international market penetration, technology, business planning and investment readiness.
- Money map of European venture financing, grants and support programmes for identifying financing and investment targets.
- Academy for coaching and pitch training for start-ups and SMEs to prepare business plans for the funding process.
- Business plan competitions to create visibility and support the highest quality business plans with small grants for further improvement.
- Format for digital media sector investment forums to facility meetings and matchmaking between entrepreneurs / start-ups and financers, industry, and investors.
The video of the Europe INNOVA Annual Partnering Event is available here.
