KICK-OFF EVENT: A STREAM OF COOPERATION. Improve framework conditions for innovation

Transcription

1 KICK-OFF EVENT: A STREAM OF COOPERATION Improve framework conditions for innovation Dr.Jonathan Loeffler Managing Director Steinbeis-Europa-Zentrum, Germany Budapest,

2 Territorial challenges in Danube Region Significant disparities in the relationship between R&D&I centers and market participants The proportion of technology- and knowledge-intensive industries decreases from NW to SE Lack of ability to implement knowledge-based and technology-intensive activities in the SE regions Significant disparities of SMEs and situation in Danube Region Lack of internationalization of SMEs Weak cross-border relations in the Eastern area of the region Low innovation potential at the Central and Eastern part of the programming region Insufficient transnational cooperation and coordination at institutional level Difficulties in transforming scientific results into marketable products 2

3 Pilar C Building Prosperity in the Danube Region Pillar C focuses on innovation, information society, competitiveness of enterprises, education, labor market and marginalized communities. PA8 Competitiveness is coordinated by the State Baden-Württemberg (Germany) and Croatia. WG Innovation and Technology Transfer 3

4 Steinbeis Network Founded in 1971 as a non-profit foundation (under civic order) Transfer Network Decentralized Steinbeis Enterprises and subsidiary companies as well as cooperation and project partners worldwide Centralized brand Steinbeis with an organisational and legal framework Competences in all fields of technology and management 717 professors, employees, contractors 1006 Steinbeis Enterprises worldwide 144 Mio. EUR total turnover Customers more than 10,000 per year; companies, organizations of all sizes and areas of business, individuals 2012 Steinbeis Technology. Transfer. Application. 4

5 Steinbeis-Europa-Zentrum Your partner for innovation in Europe Office of the Commissioner for Europe of the Minister of Finance and Economics of Baden-Württemberg Economically independent transfer centre within the Steinbeis Network 50 employees Turnover 4.9 Mio. EUR, financed to 100 % by projects; Project clients: EU, national und regional 5

6 Projects synergy. 6

7 Danube Transfer Centers BW pilot initiative to support the competitiveness of enterprises in Danube Region Project Ojective - fill the gap between research and innovation Installation of Danube Technology Transfer Centers (DTC) organized as one-stop-shops mainly for SMEs in regard of innovation & technology transfer. Results 2 DTCs operational (Nitra, Cluj-Napoca) 3 DTCs ready to start (Vukovar, Novi-Sad, Ruse) 7 R&D organisations with project collaboration Further multiplication of the DTCs with the support of: Danube Inco NET Project NoGAP Project 7

8 Danube Transfer Centers - Network 8

9 DanubePIE Product Innovation through Eco-design in the Danube region Project main goal is to raise awareness among SMEs in Danube region regarding ecodesign issues. The underlying idea of the project is to provide knowledge on eco-design which can be integrated in product development process in companies. Eco-design, a chance to develop competitive products! Consortium: Germany, Bulgaria, Croatia, Austria, Romania, Serbia, Hungary Project results DanubePIE supports 660 SMEs through eco-design related, technical services: In-house trainings in applicable eco-design related topics Creative workshops with designers to generate new product concepts Company visits with individual and tailor made technical support and product analysis Train-the-trainers to multiply knowledge transfer 9

10 Boosting Innovation through new cluster concepts in regard to emerging and cross-cutting issues New policy strategies towards Smart Specialisation Objective - Developing new strategic policy approaches to: promote cross-fertilization of traditional sector clusters with new cross-technologies and services for more innovative products and services foster the inclusion of cross-cutting issues of cross-sector relevance to improve the competitiveness of clusters Consortium - Germany, Italy, Austria, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Ukraine Results 1. 5 new clusters and initiatives in Social Innovation, Wellness, Sustainable Agriculture, Smart Home & Living 2. Transnational collaborations between existing clusters 3. Strategy paper and recommendations

11 Lessons learned & recommendations Three main areas of priority to improve framework conditions for Innovation in the Danube Region Support the competitiveness of companies through new product development in collaboration with Universities and/or R&D organizations Achieve a shift of mentality and collaboration culture at University, R&D organizations and SMEs Forster the knowledge exchange and financing of facilitator structures (e.g. Innovation and Technology Transfer Offices or Technology Clusters) at Danubian level in an inter-regional network 11

12 Lessons learned & recommendations Improve Framework conditions for innovation Barriers Lack of clear rules and practices Not a clear communication from the authorities Unclear/non favorable regulations (e.g. for PPP in Romania) Needs Tools to identify the industry needs Specific approaches for different levels (product, process, services, organisation Focus on specific sectors (wood, agriculture, IT ) Dedicated funding for innovation Good practices Voucher schemes Financing of TT management (Austria, Germany) Demonstration centers, living labs Specific calls for transnational research 12

13 Lessons learned & recommendations Support the competitiveness of companies through New Product Development in collaboration with Universities and R&D organizations Barriers Companies are reluctant to participate in R&D projects, especially SMEs The potential of innovation is underestimated Companies are not enough informed or aware of the activities of TTO Needs Qualified personal Dedicated funding to identify the technology needs of companies Open innovation approach, innovation 2.0 Internationalization Good practices Innovation voucher schemes, crowd funding Database to share project ideas, TT tools as a cloud solution Project generation seminars, IP trainings/consultancy Do-it your self workshop, Business trips Broadening TT to non-high tech companies (service innovation) 13

14 Lessons learned & recommendations Shift in Mentality of Universities, R&D Organizations and Companies Barriers Different organisational culture and working processes Lack of trust and common language Needs Long-term strategy for the collaboration with companies and vice-versa More focus on applied research Exchange of best practices Good practices Develop contract research, Competence mapping Brokerage Event at local level Development of an open innovation environment increasing trust - PPP Development of clusters or thematic working groups Entrepreunerial or commercialization trainings for scientists and TTOs 14

15 Lessons learned & recommendations Forster the knowledge exchange and financing of facilitator structures Barriers Lack of financing Lack of qualified persons Needs Good practices in the management of innovation and transfer centers Coordination at Danubian level Good practices Excellence benchmarking, labelling Cluster approaches Knowledge management training Establish a strong network 15

16 How to mix water and oil? Scientists are not salesmen! Companies are not research institutes and have to make benefits! 16

17 Contact Details Steinbeis-Europa-Zentrum Haus der Wirtschaft Willi-Bleicher-Str Stuttgart Tel.: Fax: Haus der Wirtschaft Erbprinzenstr Karlsruhe Tel.: Fax: