Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - KAM2EastPoland (Enhancing the innovation management capacities of SMEs in East Poland)

Teaser

Innovation support has been one of the main issues of the EU policy in recent years. Special support was offered to SMEs. The most important problem indicated by enterprises was lack of financial resources. The second one was the inability to manage innovation processes...

Summary

Innovation support has been one of the main issues of the EU policy in recent years. Special support was offered to SMEs. The most important problem indicated by enterprises was lack of financial resources. The second one was the inability to manage innovation processes efficiently and effectively. In addition, some crucial areas for Polish SMEs remained chronically underperforming such as skills, innovation and exploiting the potential of the foreign markets. These shortcomings are especially evident in Eastern Poland. Some of this needs have been met by the biggest European Network – EEN through information and advisory services, trainings and internationalization services but still innovation management support (mentoring and coaching services to develop the ideas from the concept to the market) needed improvements and this is why new services were established in the frame of H2020 programme. The services (complementary to EEN services) were very important for society, especially for the target group: SMEs with high potential for innovation in Eastern Poland because they helped to increase efficiency and effectiveness of R&D and innovation investments which is crucial to smart and sustainable growth in the EU and this concept was also the main objective of the project. The main objectives in East Poland were implemented by five Partners: LDF, LUT, PRDF, UWM, WMRDA, by two specific objectives:
- Economic potential increase among enterprises benefiting from SME Instrument in the framework of Horizon 2020 by bottlenecks identification and indicated problems solving with the help of a capable coach. This objective was implemented by establishing specially designed service “Key account management”;
- Increase of innovation potential of small and medium enterprises lacking professional support in the field of innovation management. This objective was implemented by specially designed activity: “Enhancing the innovation management capacity of SMEs”. Consortium Partners declared to achieve 10 KAM services and 32 EIMC to reach the objectives of the project (Clients mentored – 42).

Work performed

EENEP Partners focused on providing a high level of services to target SMEs in East Poland. Five Consortium Partners were involved in KAM2EastPoland project and implemented two groups of services: “Key account management” for the beneficiaries of the SME instrument and “Enhancing SME innovation management capacity” for innovating SME. Each Partner employed staff with an appropriate mix of competencies to cooperate with the client with high potential for innovation management. All staff dedicated to the project implementation was approved by PO. All KAM/EIMC experts participated in IMProve and Innovation Health Check trainings to be able to offer the highest level of services.
One of the most important activity, was the promotion of the services to encourage potential SMEs. All Partners were delivering information about KAM and EIMC for SMEs during e.g.: company visits, events, the leaflets were prepared. All the benefits of KAM and EIMC services were presented to encourage SMEs to participate in KAM2EastPoland project.
The Consortium set up implementation of 10KAM services during 2 years and 2 services were implemented because there were only 3 Beneficiaries of SME Instrument in the EENEP Consortium regions in reporting period (2 finished cases and one case is in progress and will be reported in 2019). Implementation of 32 EIMC services was planned and 41 was performed in 2017-2018. Support for 42 clients (clients mentored) was planned and the plan was implemented in 102%. Very important achievement is the fact that the SMEs willing to use the services of EIMC, see the potential benefits for business development. This, in turn, gives reasons to believe that in the future period of the project implementation more companies will be interested in using the EIMC services.

Final results

EENEP Partners supported 43 SMEs overall for EIMC and KAM.
Impact on clients of KAM services provided:
LDF: The strengths and weaknesses of the company were analyzed as well as summarized in the SWOT form. A good understanding and determination of the advantages and weaknesses of the proposed solutions was achieved. The target (global) product market was discussed and sorted in terms of competitiveness and potential market demand. Coach recommended the company to intensify talks with its potential pre-declared investor in order to reach satisfactory fundraising terms, look for “Plan B” and “Plan C” in terms of fundraising sources and produce more “track record” e.g. to carry out more pilot projects in order to gain reference portfolio.
PRDF: KAM service addressed to the company brought significant development. Coach supported client in business model improvement, SWOT analysis and markets entering strategies. Execution strategy about mass production of electronic devices, outsourcing of Photon parts, production cost optimization, quality control, final assembly ideas were elaborated during coaching. Expansion types of cooperation\'s at partnership/stakeholders level in order to conquer big markets, i.e. collaboration with national education systems were also developed. It was also useful that risk capital investors were involved into brainstorming. Due to KAM support the process of professional assembly and sales strategy were ready to be implemented at the end of 2017 and first massive produced robots entered the market.
Impact on clients of EIMC services provided:
- Finding the private investor (business angel) for the company. The result was - creating a new technology based on the company offering new services in the area of energy cost optimization. The created company was established on the basis of co-owners of the enterprise with the engagement of a private investor.
- Clients appreciated the individual approach of the expert and the in-depth analysis of their company. This service allowed them to see the gaps and needs of the company.
- Entrepreneurs can acquire the company status report in a transparent way. The report clearly shows both - where the company is actually located and how to be growth – oriented.
- The contacts with the local scientific and research community initiated during the action plan may also have a potential impact on the development of enterprises. During the meetings organised with experts from universities, entrepreneurs established new contacts, the effect of which may also lead to the implementation of joint R&D projects,
- After the service one patent was submitted.
- Such activities as: prototypes and testing activities were declared by the companies.
- The services were lead to launching the following into the market: new products, new processes, new methods.
- The companies introduced or planning to introduce innovations new to the company and new to the market.
- The impact of services upon job creation and financial gain can be noted in the future because the services were carried out relatively recently thus the full potential of services might not have been achieved yet. However, the Partners diagnosed the potential impact for the companies of the services provided: improvement of the companies’ market position and ability to develop their services; increasing companies’ turnover; cost saving achievement by contacting through EEN platform; improvement of ability to consolidate its position on its current markets; contribution to getting new clients.

Website & more info

More info: http://een-polskawschodnia.pl/.