OBN BioTuesday: Sources of Public Non-Dilutable Funding & Export Support to UK R&D Companies
SME Instrument and Eurostars Jane Watkins National Contact Point Horizon 2020
SME Instrument and Eurostars Jane Watkins H2020 National Contact Point for SMEs National Programme Coordinator for Eureka Eurostars OBN 06/12/2016
What is an SME? To count as an SME, your organisation must be engaged in an economic activity and must have: fewer than 250 employees; and an annual turnover of no more than 50 million and/or an annual balance sheet of no more than 43 million. Whether you count as an SME may depend on how you count your workforce, turnover or balance sheet. For more details: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/sme/files/sme_defini tion/sme_user_guide_en.pdf
SME self-assessment wizard Based on organisational financial data and headcount Shareholders/shareholdings may affect status (non-autonomous) Assessment optional and only required if participating in SME specific actions Can t apply for an SME action if entity not validated as SME in last 2 years The wizard produces an instant result and summary of data The wizard isn t a model of clarity Typical issues: status expired, no economic activity, applicants leave it too late, applicants believe they are SMEs but aren t! SME definition: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies /sme/files/sme_definition/sme_user_g uide_en.pdf Beneficiary register user manual: http://ec.europa.eu/research/participa nts/data/support/manual/urf_sme_wiz ard_guidance.pdf
Key Features of the SME Instrument Targeted at all types of innovative SMEs showing a strong ambition to grow. Only for profit SMEs allowed to apply for funding. Competitive, EU dimension - only the best ideas pass. Market-oriented, close-to-market activities (TRL 6). Embedded in societal challenges and key enabling technologies. Evaluators: market perspective. Time to grant: 400 days in 2008 - > Phase 1 95 days Phase 2 170 days. Sole SME can apply.
Phase 1 Grant support of 50,000 (lump sum) + coaching Project: 6 Months Phase 2 Grant of 0.5m 2.5m 70% funding + coaching Project: 12 24 Months Phase 3 Risk Finance (Public/Private) Concept & Feasibility Assessment Demonstration Market Replication R&D Concept to Market-Maturity Commercialisation Market-Maturity to Market Launch Proof of Concept Prove technical & commercial viability Explore IP regime Design Study Develop pilot application Risk assessment Outcome: Elaborated Business Plan Demonstrate Commercial Potential Prototyping Testing Piloting Miniaturisation Scaling-Up Application Development Outcome: Commercialisable Output Go-To-Market EU Quality Label Investment Readiness Training SME window in EU financial facilities (Debt & Equity) Link to Public Procurement Networks Outcome: Market Success Phase 3 Risk Finance (Public/Private) TRL 1 TRL 2 TRL 3 TRL 4 TRL 5 TRL 6 TRL 7 TRL 8 TRL 9
Specific Calls SME Instrument 2016/17 SMEInst-01-2016-2017: Open Disruptive Innovation Scheme SMEInst-02-2016-2017: Accelerating the uptake of nanotechnologies advanced materials or advanced manufacturing and processing technologies by SMEs SMEInst-03-2016-2017: Dedicated support to biotechnology SMEs closing the gap from lab to market SMEInst-04-2016-2017: Engaging SMEs in space research and development SMEInst-05-2016-2017: Supporting innovative SMEs in the healthcare biotechnology sector SMEInst-06-2016-2017: Accelerating market introduction of ICT solutions for Health, Well- Being and Ageing Well SMEInst-07-2016-2017: Stimulating the innovation potential of SMEs for sustainable and competitive agriculture, forestry, agri-food and bio-based sectors SMEInst-08-2016-2017: Supporting SMEs efforts for the development - deployment and market replication of innovative solutions for blue growth SMEInst-09-2016-2017: Stimulating the innovation potential of SMEs for a low carbon and efficient energy system SMEInst-10-2016-2017: Small business innovation research for Transport and Smart Cities Mobility SMEInst-11-2016-2017: Boosting the potential of small businesses in the areas of climate action, environment, resource efficiency and raw materials SMEInst-12-2016-2017: New business models for inclusive, innovative and reflective societies SMEInst-13-2016-2017: Engaging SMEs in security research and development
UK Performance Phase 1
Phase 1 Projects funded by Topic
Phase 2 submissions latest call
Phase 2 Proposals per topic
Submission Dates 2016-2017 PHASE 1 PHASE 2 2016 2016 24 February 2016 17:00 3 February 2016 17:00 Rolling programme so no fixed deadline referred to as cut off. Submit when ready Times are Brussels time. 80% of proposals are submitted 48 hours before the cut off. 3 May 2016 17:00 14 April 2016 17:0 7 September 2016 17:00 15 June 2016 17:00 9 November 2016 17:00 13 October 2016 17:00 2017 2017 15 February 2017 17:00 18 January 2017 17:00 3 May 2017 17:00 6 April 2017 17:00 6 September 2017 17:00 1 June 2017 17:00 8 November 2017 17:00 18 October 2017 17:00
Most common mistakes to avoid when writing a proposal TRL not convincing but don t over complicate the TRL Too focused on the product and the technical detail rather than the market and how the company will make money. IMPACT section is the most important section (1.5 marks weighing) Skills set to commercialise not present Section 4 is not part of the evaluation 1-3 but it gives you opportunity to sell yourself and your company Excellence not linked to Impact and Implementation Need to tell a story. Make it easy to read how many wrote the proposal? WHO wrote the proposal? Don t underestimate Phase 1
EUREKA Eurostars
EUREKA Eurostars The Eurostars Programme is the first European funding and support programme to be specifically dedicated to R&D performing SMEs. Short lead-time: (14 WEEKS from cut-off date to funding decision) Projects funded by the respective partners national funding bodies UK Innovate UK
EUREKA EUROSTARS PROJECT ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Consortium leader is an R&D-performing SME At least 2 partners from 2 different Eurostars participating countries Project duration is no more than 36 months Market introduction is foreseen within 2 years after project ends. Research-performing SMEs undertake minimum 50% of total R&D cost No single country or project partner is responsible for more than 75% of the project costs No restriction on thematic area [except military] and project managed from the bottom up Partners in a Consortium must be separate legal and non-linked entities
EUREKA EUROSTARS UK PARTNER ELIGIBILITY In the UK R & D Intensive SME s are eligible for funding. Large companies, RTOs and Universities can participate in Eurostars projects, but must source alternative funding. Trading for at least 12 months. VAT registered - Maintain up to date books or management accounts sufficient to generate a Profit and Loss account. Revenue generation from commercial operations and/or investment to cover non- grant funding at the time of application. Sub-contract must not exceed 20% of UK Par0cipant Project costs. Projects must be managed by (R)SME, not subcontracted. Single entities cannot lead a project. Funding level 60% of eligible costs up to 360K Maximum grant 360K per UK partner
Who are the Eurostars Participating States and Partner Countries? The countries participating in Eurostars through the EUREKA network of national offices are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom.
UK Technological and market area
Practical Help Self evaluation form http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/data/ref/h2020/call_ptef/ef/h2 020-call-ef-sme_en.pdf Submission is via Participant Portal http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/desktop/en/home.html SMEI Video hints and tips http://ec.europa.eu/easme/en/news/precious-tips-4-sme-instrumentevaluators For Fast Track to Innovation or the SME Instrument contact Jane Watkins NCP-SME@innovateuk.gov.uk 07500051146