RIS Wielkopolska

1. RIS Wielkopolska “Enterprises’ Needs” GeorgeStrogylopoulos Innovation Policy Expert Chairman, Logotech S.A Athens, Greece

2. Main Steps Stage 0 Definition 12 months Stage 1 working groups Action Plan 12 months Stage 2 Priorities Pilot actions Validation Monitoring 8 months We are Here

3. Main Tasks • Module 1: RIS Methodology • Module 2: Enterprises Innovation Needs • Module 3: Interregional Collaboration Potential • Module 4: Innovation Supply and Support Instruments • Module 5: Innovation in Underdeveloped Sub-regions • Module 6: Monitoring & Evaluation System

4. Today’s Meeting Purpose • To present the main analysis and findings • To discuss on the findings and recommendations • To provide some input from the international environment • To propose potential policy alternatives (measures) for implementation and adoption to the action plan

5. The Regional Innovation Paradox The contradiction between the comparatively greater need to invest in innovation in the less-developed regions and their relatively smaller capacity to absorb public funds earmarked for innovation promotion.

6. A. InnovationBest Practice Examples • TETRIS – TT & innovation for SMEs (PT)– trans-national network of intermediary actors • Advice Scheme for SMEs (NL) – Access to know-how • Association for Agrotechnologies (C. Maced. – GR) - Innovation best practice on agro food • Best practice in waste management in olive oil industry and PVC in toys (Umbria – IT) • DECILOR (FR) – Bring together the whole support system for SMEs aiming at competitive intelligence and economic watch for best practice • Demonstration Actions (PEDIP II – PT & PEPER – GR)

7. B. Guidance Services on where to get expertise • Technology consulting program (BITT program) – (DE) – Guidance • Innovators Counselling and Advisory service for Scotland (ICASS) – (UK) – Inventors and small innovative firms • Business mentoring of NTBFs (UK) • EMPRECAN (ES) – foster entrepreneurial spirit & guidance • Investment in the depressed areas of the national territory (IT) – awareness and subsidies for innovation projects • County enterprises Boards (IRL) • Innovation Assistance Coaches for SMEs (AT)

8. C. Regional Technology Networks support • Oulu Region Centre of Expertise (Oulu – NO) - Advice • Basque Technology and Innovation Network (ES) • PEDIP II – Actions for Industrial based regional dev. (PT) • Regional Technology Centers program – (ES) – SME support • Technology institutes program (Valencia – ES) • Co-operation Network (Hessen – DE) - Improve innovation ability in less developed parts • Innovation Networks & Partnerships (Pilot) – (Glasgow – UK) - Support network co-ordinators • TUFF (SE) – Certification of brokers for technology transfer • Coherence and Development of regional capabilities (PT) – Demonstration and technology transfer to regions

9. D: Mobility of researchers to SMEs • SME innovation Vlaanderen (BE) – SMES hire researchers • Tipperary Institute (IR) - 40% of research. time to SMEs • First Enterprise (Waloon –BE) - SMES hire researchers • First PhD Enterprise (Waloon- BE) – Co-financing of PhD salaries for working with SMEs • Training on Innovation (ES)– training for researchers to work in SMEs • ARI (FR-ANVAR) – recruitment of researchers and technicians • CORTECHS (France) – recruitment of technicians for inn. Projects • PAVET & IRON (GR) – Collaborative research through the exchange of personnel

10. E. Techniques to identify latent demand • Job creating Innovations (DE) • New Path (FI) – new methods to reduce labour shortages • Impulse package (Tyrol – AT) – projects for high quality jobs • Local Technological Transfer (Ferrara – IT) – Demand analysis in sub-areas • Tekes – Technology Clinics (FI) – seek new technologies • Technology Watch Center (LU)

11. F. Awareness campaigns on Technology Development • Observatory for Innovation and development (C. Maced. – GR) • Technology Fond (Carinthia – AT) – mainly awareness • Launching pad for innovation (NL) – campaigns, guidance to SMEs • DECLIC.net (FR) – awareness on e-commerce • West-Midlands regional e-Portal (UK) – networks & partnerships • East of England e-commerce awards (UK) • ‘Crienvie Competition’ (Picardie – FR) – students’ innovative ideas • Young innovator competition (Champagne – Ardennes –FR)

12. G. Loans & Subsidies for Innovation (I) R&D projects • Smart – NE (UK) – support of new products and processes • Product and technology development (Saxony-Anhalt –DE) • Promotion of Industrial Innovation in Universities’ programmes (Castilla la Mancha- ES) • Prototype Development Programme (PDF) – UK • Development of prototypes - BE

13. G. Loans & Subsidies for Innovation (II) ICT • PRATIC – program to vitalise Information, Electronics and Communications Technology – PT –Companies’ competitiveness • Electronic Commerce Support – Marche IT – Integrated Projects • Genesis Business Club – UK – Improve skills, market place • Programme for the promotion of information technologies –ES

14. G. Loans & Subsidies for Innovation (III) Financing • Business Angels Network – BE – good quality Bus. Plans – Coaching • Xenos – The Wales Business Angels Network – UK – introducing investors to companies offering an equity share • Business Development Loan – FI – support competitive positions • Fast Forward Finance – UK – early stage period • Initial Fund – Bremen – DE – start-up companies, new products • Support for the creation of seed capital funds - FR

15. G. Loans & Subsidies for Innovation (IV) Quality & Certification • Promotion and implementation of quality systems – Extremadura – ES • Products Labelling – Marche – IT • Small Enterprise Quality – IT • Aids to promote design – ES

16. G. Loans & Subsidies for Innovation (V) Infrastructures for innovation • Incubators and Innovation Centers – Flanders – BE • Technoport Schlassgoart – start-up incubator – LU • Technium Center –incubator – Swansea University – UK • Creation of regional incubation structures – FR • Business Innovation Center – C. Maced. - GR • Technologieprogramma – NL – reinforcing knowledge infrastructure and establishing technology centers • France Technopole Enterprises Innovation – 60 members network of incubators and technopoles

17. H. New Instruments at micro level • Promotion of innovation management techniques • Increase of Quality • Encouraging of ‘clean’ production processes • Incorporation of design • Product differentiation • New forms of marketing and after sales services • Adaptation of products and services to new niche markets • Making use of economic intelligence and foresight studies • Using new forms of business management and organisation including intensive use of ICT

18. I. New Instruments at meso level • Creating public-private co-operation networks • Strengthening co-operation between businesses via clusters • Creating single points of access for businesses to systems of aid (one stop shops) • Improving contacts between universities and businesses • Making better use of RTDI resources and infrastructures • Increasing coherence and synergies between policies • Facilitating access to skilled personnel and to financial products

19. J. Most Common RIS+ Activities Analysis of 25 regions in Europe • SMEs innovation projects with Universities and Tech. Centers (23) • Clusters and business networks with RTDI infrastructure (25) • Business advisory services (11) • Incubator units and NTBFs ( 14) • Innovation financial engineering (seed & VC) (8) • Interregional networking ( 22) • Raising awareness (10) • Monitoring & Evaluation (11) • Information society promotion to SMEs (5)