EU Research Projects Experiences from the trenches. Simon Egenfeldt-Nielsen, 25. februar 201414

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EU Research ProjectsExperiences from the trenches

Simon Egenfeldt-Nielsen, PhDCEO, founder Serious Games Interactive

Creative Europe/Horizon 2020

25th February 2014

Background

• MA Psychology• PhD Games & learning• Between industry & research• Two strategic Danish research

Involved in +100 game productions.

9 Nationalities | 30 Employees | +80 Projects | 20 Products

Our backgroundWho are we...• Research-based company• Using games for more than entertainment• Won several awards for our productions• First company starting with Unity3D• 50% of our projects are mobile today• Clients include Siemens, Maersk, World Bank, Lego and Volvo.

Current research projects (EU FP7)• Playmancer – Rehabilitation of patients with games• SIREN – Conflict resolution for children & Adults• VISTRA – virtual game-driven assembly line training• ETREES – Advanced narrative work-place training • C2Learn – Creative learning environment through games• GALA – Network of Excellence serious games. • Stimulate – Outreach on advanced materials

From the hipSo this is probably not all pleasant music to EU Commission but without honesty no improvements will come. We have fantastic and horrible EU FP7 projects. Good news. • A lot of money w. very attractive funding schemes• Create good network across all of Europe• A great chance to develop technology, people and interesting projects• Very forgiven in terms of deadlines and deliverables

Bad news• Be ready for a LOT of stakeholders w. strange agendas• Prepare for inefficiency and strange inner logics (from researchers)• Many universities are lazy and somewhat incompetent• Your partners will make or break you• If in doubt of commercial potential don’t touch it• Make sure you have a central place in the project (BUT not too central)• Don’t have private coordinators that can ‘steal’ your money• Make sure you got your cash flow in order towards the

Closing remarks

EU is fantastic but it could lay your company down for 2-3 years if you are not careful.

Consider getting a person with previous experience from the inner logics of the system.

Go for the end-user driven projects that will keep all partners focused.

Horizon 2020 seems to be moving towards more exploitation, real and focused projects which is great.

Contact infoCompany detailsSerious Games InteractiveViborggade 70, 3-4. floorDK - 2100 Copenhagen Nwww.seriousgames.net

My details: Simon [email protected] | +45 40 10 79 69www.egenfeldt.eu

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