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Innovation Agent Programme. Innovation checks – road to growth. Erik W. Hallgren Danish Technological Institute khi@teknologisk.dk. I nnovation agents. Challenges addressed. Small businesses are less likely to be innovative
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Innovation Agent Programme Innovation checks – road to growth Erik W. Hallgren Danish Technological Institute khi@teknologisk.dk
Challenges addressed • Small businesses are less likely to be innovative • Small businesses are less likely to work with knowledge institutions • Small businesses find it difficult to initiate and sustain innovation projects • We have documentation that small businesses cooperating with knowledge institutions are more likely to achieve growth
Objectives of the innovation agents • To provide technological knowledge and inspiration to SMEs and identify areas, where the use of technological solution can strengthen the business and competitiveness of SMEs through cooperation with the national knowledge and innovation system.
Operators of the programme 9 Danish RTO’s (3400 employee http://www.teknologiportalen.dk/en
Program details • Financed by Danish Agency for Science, Technology and Innovation (DASTI) http://en.fi.dk/ • Programme ran from 2007 to 2010 as regional pilots • National program from 2010 to 2012 • 1800 contacts, 600 checks and 380 project initiations in 2012 performed by 35 innovation agents. • Continuation 2013-2015 (Likely budget: 2.7 mill EUR per annum) Resources • 20-25 hours per innovation check • Media campaigns and cooperation with knowledge institutions • Budget: 3.2 mill. EURO in 2012 www.innovationstjek.dk
The innovation check process Contact Follow-up Project choice Meeting Analysis Report
Results to date…. 2405 and counting… 2007-2010 (partly regional) • Innovation audits: 1000 • Project initiations: 600 • Referrals to possible partners: 1200 2011 (national) • Innovation audits: 440 • Project initiations: 407 • Referrals to possible partners: 1200 2012 • Innovation audits: 630 • Project initiations: 410 • Referrals to possible partners: 1500 2013 • Innovation audits: (Goal 450) • Project initiations: (Goal 280) • Referrals to possible partners: (Goal 630)
Impact and evaluation • 75% are satisfied or very satisfied with innovation audit • 89% will recommend other SMEs to use the service • 60% have achieved new contacts with knowledge institutions • 68% have initiated concrete innovation projects • Long term impact – still too early to say…but 12 medium term case studies being produced. Source: Evaluation February, June and October 2012, n=400 Repeated three times per year up to three months after check
Key factors for success Internal • Innovation facilitation skills (training) • Coordination and knowledge sharing • Focus on Key performance indicators, quality and evaluation • Active networking External • Political support • Referrers supplying leads • Cooperation with knowledge institutions • Researchers and experts capable of working with SMEs • Preparedness of SMEs to innovate
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