The SME Instrument We are in the air since 8 April 2014 Investing in the best European SMEs
SME Instrument "DNA":
What we have achieved so far 22.837 proposals received (2014-2016) 1879 projects 695 M budget allocated 860 finalised (phase 1)
Who are we looking for? Single company Innovative idea disruptive - demonstration stage (TRL 6) Knowledge of the market and of competitors Convincing commercialisation plan Clear ambition to grow at EU/global level
How do we do it? 8 cutoffs /year Easy to plan Rapid results in 1-2M High threshold Competitive
SME Instrument: Evaluation Evaluation process Remote At least 4 evaluators per proposal Evaluators=investors, enterpreneurs, business people 88% private sector Median score Short, standardised feedback
SME Instrument: Evaluation Evaluation criteria 3 criteria: o Possible economic impact o Excellence in innovation o Implementation o Sub-contracting in phase 2 Phase 1 threshold: 13/15, Phase 2 threshold: 12/15
And if you fail....apply again! Results show that resubmissions have double chances to succeed!
SME Instrument: Lessons learnt Possible improvments Too much project-oriented, not enough business opportunity Company profile missing Market situation, competitive solutions not mentioned, in-depth analysis is missing not really new to the market, not disruptive (no game changer") Commercialisation concept missing; TRL to low, no innovation Phase 2 after a successful phase 1
Enterprise Europe Network 3000 600+ LOCAL EXPERTS LOCATIONS 60+ COUNTRIES WORLDWIDE The world s largest support Network for SMEs with international ambitions
Passion
Success stories: SME Instrument Champions: 1. Immunovia 2. Nova Innovation 3. Dyadic 4. Lingvist 5. Ultrahaptics 6. Platform.sh
(6) Platform.sh Open source software for e-commerce applications. https://platform.sh SME Instrument-Phase 2=> 1,9M Eur Big clients deals: Orange France and others (Bla Bla car, Flixbus) Present in 63 countries Platform.sh CEO: "For us the grant from the European Commission was in effect, by all means very important in terms of timing. It supported us greatly to attract new clients."
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FTI: Consortia Consortia of a limited size min. 3, max. 5 partners at least three different eligible countries (EU28 +AC) Consortia must be industry-intensive: either 2 out of 3/4 partners = private-for-profit or 3 out of 5 partners = private-for-profit or 60% of the budget of the proposal (=total estimated eligible costs) is to be allocated to private-for-profit entities
FTI: Improvements The expected impact on partners' growth and innovation capacity are insufficiently described; Market and competition analysis are weak and limited; Financing plan to reach the market and expand the commercialization capacity is not discussed in detail; The commercialization activities are not presented to demonstrate how they intend to involve key stakeholders on the buy side; The financial aspects are underestimated within the review of risks; Management structure is assessed as generic; Lack of details in the description of deliverables and in risk mitigation plans.
SME Instrument: Hints and tips Before taking a strategic decision to apply Look carefully at the programme target (topic) Assess if your project is mature in all aspects of evaluation criteria Take advise on other funding programmes from NCP, EEN or others, notably incubators if you are a starter company Try a 3 minute pitch
Thank you very much for your attention! http://ec.europa.eu/easme/sme/ Showcases of companies supported by the SME Instrument: http://ec.europa.eu/easme/en/sme-instrument/showcase Questions catherine.eginard@ec.europa.eu @H2020SME
Back up slides
SME Instrument :13 Themes for 2016-2017 ICT: open disruptive innovation Scheme Nanotech Space Healthcare biotech Food Blue growth Energy Transport Eco-innovation & raw materials Critical infrastructure Industrial Biotechnology E-health, well-being, aging well New Business models Check EASME website for number of project planned per theme http://ec.europa.eu/easme/sme
SME Instrument: Impact SMEs' five top domains of progress Better understanding of clients' Better knowledge of competitors Improved technical skills Strategic approach to risk management Increased visibility and reputation
SME Instrument: Events and trade fairs
SME Instrument: Business Community Visibility: Investors (I), Large Corporates (LC), etc. Branding Partnership building: SME Instrument Community SME Instrument Annual conference (October 2016) Friends of the "SME Instrument" Access to finance Networking opportunities (pitching, workshops, Ambassadors, etc.)
SME Instrument: Academy Objective: Accelerating the process of scalingup How? Training! Business models Globe trotters Innovation Management http://www.designforenterprises.eu/ Accessing finance Others? Demand-driven! How? Animated session Operative end 2016/2017
SME Instrument: IT platform Creating profile SMEs Online interaction Applying to services (trade fairs, academy, etc.) Connecting to existing services (IPR, EEN, etc.) Operative End 2016/2017
SME Instrument & FTI