SMART Innovation:

Going small means aiming big!

Introduction

European innovation policy underestimates the

innovative potentials of SME. It does not take big sums to create big effects.

Decentralised funding schemes are the key to success.

Europe is full of innovation potential waiting to be

exploited.

Who am I to tell this ?

= Public Project Agency

of the Leipzig Region (DE)

aiming to promote regional development and employment

extraversion of regional (public) actors access and pass on European good

practises

Why are we so „SMART“?

= Regional Framework

Operation (INTERREG IIIC)

Sachsen (DE), Aragón (ES), Małopolska (PL), Dytiki Makedonia (GR)

funding of 17 interregional subprojects demonstrating actions for a sustainable economic transition

4,5 million Euro April 2005 – March 2007

What have we learned? (InnoOff SME)

Neumann & Co. GmbH Glaubitz

development of a device to control the calibration of water meters while they remain connected

procedure has been licensed

market entry in Germany and Greece

12.000€

What have we learned? (InnoOff SME)

Gaertner Beschriftungstechnik

development of a labelling device to replace stickers

aeronautics and spacial industries

A380: saves about 10kg of weight 12.000€

What have we learned? (InnoOff SME)

Pliaki Brothers Kozani (GR) Integration of SPS tools in switchboards

for lifts SMS notification of the constructor in the

case of problems Automatic release of passangers at the

next possible floor in the case of earthquakes

ivS Seehrhausen GmbH sphere-based system for the

construction of handrails („ball-and-socket joints“)

system reduces time and costs as on-site construction immediately follows measuring

procedure has been licenced

What have we learned? (InnoOff SME)

13.500€

What have we learned? (InnoOff SME)

AL-KO Dämpfungstechnik GmbH Hartha light-metal technology for automotives (e.g. BMW) Bicycle-carrier device fixed on the coupling of the car

22.500€

Conclusions

Adequate assistance to SME allows them to develop new (niche) products that create new employment (to contribute to the Lisbon objectives):

- securing support from scientific partners

- limited bureaucracy, less restrictions

RFO approach can best deliver the aims of the

Regions for Economic Change Initiative

- financial support for prototype development

Thank you for listeningThank you for listening

SMART RFOAufbauwerk Region Leipzig GmbHOtto-Schill-Str. 104109 LeipzigTel.: +49 341 14077940 Fax: +49 341 14077911smart@aufbauwerk-leipzig.comwww.aufbauwerk.euwww.smart-rfo.org