RTD in SME:s
The program RTD in SMEs promotes the capacity to develop services, products and processes by using RTD, so that new knowledge can be developed and implemented. The objective is to strengthen SMEs competitiveness on regional, national and in global markets, improving knowledge transfer between companies, academia and research institutions and creating new jobs. The programme is owned and run by Region Västra Götaland and contains two types of grants:
- RTD vouchers up to a maximum of SEK 35 000 to be used to clarify companies´ needs for RTD investments.
- Regional RTD support up to a maximum of SEK 500 000, which is intended to contribute to specific research projects that add new knowledge and expertise to the development of products and processes.
Västra Götaland is one of the top regions in Europe in terms of RTD investments in the business community. The investments are, however, dominated by a number of very large companies, while investments in smaller businesses are marginal. Dependence on the research of large companies makes Västra Götaland vulnerable to structural changes. Small and medium-sized companies thus have a decisive role to play in future competitiveness and employment.
InMotion - Mobilising for a Sustainable Industrial Transformation
InMotion is a program promoting sustainable transformation and development for Sustainable Transportation Solutions and Energy Systems. It focussing on the development of electrification and decreasing the dependence on fossil fuel sources. The activities funded are mainly; centres of RTD, demonstration & testing, Strategic Development Projects, Pre-commercial procurement of innovation & RTD and International Collaborations. Initiatives supported by InMotion should be based on cross-sector, interdisciplinary, Triple Helix consortia. The program aims at creating smart funding synergies with other programs on national and European level, such as: FP7, EIT, RTD PPP Economic Recovery Plan, EURF. The program budget is 15 M €, with the potential of leveraging national funding of another 15 M €, industry investments by 30 M €, reaching a total amount of funding 50 M € .
A Regional Network of Interactive Innovation Platforms
The RTD and Innovation strategy is mainly implemented through a regional network of platforms for interactive RTD and Open Innovation. These are creative environments where efficient co-production of innovation, new technologies and business development take place between SMEs, large companies, universities, research institutes and other public actors.
This model has been proved efficient in terms of unlocking the innovation capacity of SMEs. It facilitates their access to RTD and their participation, in development projects regionally, nationally and internationally, interacting closely with large companies. It speeds up product development processes and ultimately strengthens their position on global markets. The platforms develop internationalisation strategies which support international RTD and innovation collaborations. They develop linkages with equivalents all over the world in order to create critical mass for innovation accessible to SMEs. The Regions investments in the so-called entrepreneurial chain are as well connected to the platforms; the process covering change of mind-sets and attitudes, the support of new ideas and the creation of new businesses. Spin-outs are often a result of the joint open innovation projects taking place on the platforms. Those are supported to grow through the platforms’ incubation processes.
The OECD Territorial Review of Sweden has acknowledged the model of Interactive Open Innovation Platforms in their Territorial Review of Sweden:
“These platforms place Västra Götaland on the European research map as a region that is innovative, entrepreneurial and – ‘thinks outside the box’.”
Related links:
Innovatum Technology Park (www.innovatum.se/ptc)