Promoting Innovation in SMEs
Innovation is the key for productivity and long-term growth. Supporting innovation in SMEs can foster inclusive growth. SMEs are on average less innovative than large enterprises, but some of them can be or become highly innovative and can reach productivity levels above those of large companies. Companies which develop and use their internal strategic resources effectively (e.g. managerial and workforce skills, ICT, R&D, etc.), and collaborate with external partners in the innovation system, have better innovation performance.
SMEs however often face larger barriers on capital and labour markets than larger established businesses. It is for that reason that multiple policy measures have been adopted to target those firms and their opportunities to engage in innovation. Authorities can support innovation in SMEs by fostering a sound business environment, helping them to fund and develop and use their internal strategic resources effectively, and building an innovation system including supporting services and that is effective in the commercialisation of research and inclusive of a large range of SMEs.
News
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InvestEU: Commission picks members of investment committee
The European Commission has appointed 12 external experts as members of the investment committee of the InvestEU Fund for a term of four years.
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Strengthened EIT Regional Innovation Scheme Implementation Framework Adopted
The EIT recently announced the adoption of its Regional Innovation Scheme (RIS) Implementation Framework for 2022 - 2027.
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The EBRD’s Star Venture programme identifies high potential, innovative start-ups. The services provided include business advice and access to finance to strengthen their performance and accelerate...
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Events
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Mysteries unveiled: Innovation Procurement in practice
September 30th, from 10.00 to 11.30, the European Commission’s Directorate General GROW will continue its webinar series on innovation procurement with a session dedicated to « Preliminary market...
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European Cases of Innovation Procurement – examples of the different procurement steps
On 16 September, four European innovation experts will present their public procurement on Innovation projects, focusing on different aspects of innovation procurement.
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Untold Stories Budapest is an annual event with a mission to create a learning and networking opportunity for startups. With a special focus on the CEE region, it connects founders from all over the world...
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Organisations
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Women in Tech® is an international organization with a double mission: to close the gender gap and to help women embrace technology. The organization focuses on 4 primary areas that are a call for...
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TAFTIE (The European Network of Innovation Agencies)
This is a group of 29 organisations from 28 European countries has established an intense collaboration in the field of the implementation of national technology Programmes. This is to the benefit of ...
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Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Tirana
CCIT employes 43 employees. It is one of few organizations in Albania having a special department – the Centre for Business Research and Training (ACBRT), dedicated to the development projects and trainings...
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Calls
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Job opening: Officer in Sustainable and Innovation Procurement
The Sustainable Economy and Procurement team at ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability is looking to fill the position of a Sustainable and Innovation Procurement Officer at its European Secretariat...
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This call aims at extending the Enterprise Europe Network to other global growth markets. Leading service-oriented business support organisations are invited to join the Enterprise Europe Network...
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Call for Albania-Montenegro cross-border projects
The IPA Albania-Montenegro Cross-border Cooperation Programme has launched its third call for proposals. Through projects implemented under this call, the programme aims to strengthen good neighbourly...
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Documents
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An Overview of the EU Funding and Support Instruments for Innovation in the Western Balkans
EU Funding is available for all types of companies of any size and sector including entrepreneurs, start-ups, micro companies, small and medium-sized enterprises, and larger businesses. A wide range...
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Startup cities in the entrepreneurial age
Global venture capital is crushing records in 2021. Over €264bn has been invested in the first six months of the year, two unicorns have been created every day in 2021, 170 cities around the world now...
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Competitiveness in South East Europe 2021
Competitiveness in South East Europe 2021 A Policy Outlook The future sustainable economic development and well-being of citizens in South East Europe depend on greater economic competitiveness...
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Links
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Fund for Innovation and Technology Development of North Macedonia
The Fund supporst activities such as knowledge transfer, research on development and innovations for micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises to help achieve accelerated technological development. More...
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Investment and Development Fund of Montenegro
The Fund supports small and medium companies (credit and guarantee support is provided). Click here
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An engaging environment and services for development and commercialization of viable business ideas, as well as visibility in the market. For both new and existing companies of Kosovo*. Click here to ...
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Projects
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The EU4Tech PoC WB project offers support to 40+ promising technology based projects from the Western Balkans at the ‘Proof of Concept Stage’. We offer hands on assistance from experts and mentors to ...
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European countries face the formidable challenge of providing adequate, affordable and sustainable support to their ageing populations. Socially innovative approaches are required in order to manage the...
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For the European deep-tech start-up scene to grow sustainably and achieve its potential impact, access to real market problems and test beds is required. It is our vision to build smart spaces ecosystem...
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