Innovation Agent Programme Innovation checks – road to growth Erik W. Hallgren Danish Technological Institute [email protected]
Feb 25, 2016
Innovation Agent ProgrammeInnovation checks – road to growth
Erik W. HallgrenDanish Technological Institute
Innovation agents
Challenges addressed• Small businesses are less likely to be innovative• Small businesses are less likely to work with knowledge
institutions• Small businesses find it difficult to initiate and sustain
innovation projects • We have documentation that small businesses
cooperating with knowledge institutions are more likely to achieve growth
Objectives of the innovation agents
• To provide technological knowledge and inspiration to SMEs and identify areas, where the use of technological solution can strengthen the business and competitiveness of SMEs through cooperation with the national knowledge and innovation system.
3 segments…
3 segments…
It’s free !!
3 segments…
Well…maybe…
3 segments…
Houston – we got a problem
Operators of the programme
http://www.teknologiportalen.dk/en
9 Danish RTO’s (3400 employee
Program details• Financed by Danish Agency for Science, Technology and
Innovation (DASTI) http://en.fi.dk/ • Programme ran from 2007 to 2010 as regional pilots • National program from 2010 to 2012• 1800 contacts, 600 checks and 380 project initiations in 2012
performed by 35 innovation agents.• Continuation 2013-2015 (Likely budget: 2.7 mill EUR per annum)
Resources • 20-25 hours per innovation check• Media campaigns and cooperation with knowledge institutions• Budget: 3.2 mill. EURO in 2012
www.innovationstjek.dk
Meeting
Report
Project choice
Follow-up
The innovation check process
Contact
Analysis
Results to date…. 2405 and counting…2007-2010 (partly regional) Innovation audits: 1000 Project initiations: 600 Referrals to possible partners: 12002011 (national) Innovation audits: 440 Project initiations: 407 Referrals to possible partners: 1200 2012 Innovation audits: 630 Project initiations: 410 Referrals to possible partners: 1500 2013 Innovation audits: (Goal 450) Project initiations: (Goal 280) Referrals to possible partners: (Goal 630)
Impact and evaluation
• 75% are satisfied or very satisfied with innovation audit• 89% will recommend other SMEs to use the service• 60% have achieved new contacts with knowledge
institutions• 68% have initiated concrete innovation projects
• Long term impact – still too early to say…but 12 medium term case studies being produced.
Source: Evaluation February, June and October 2012, n=400Repeated three times per year up to three months after check
Key factors for success
Internal• Innovation facilitation
skills (training)• Coordination and
knowledge sharing• Focus on Key
performance indicators, quality and evaluation
• Active networking
External• Political support• Referrers supplying leads• Cooperation with
knowledge institutions• Researchers and experts
capable of working with SMEs
• Preparedness of SMEs to innovate
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