Topic 1 : Helping creating innovative businesses and fostering innovation in existing companies

14 BICs cases studies, 14 success stories, over 40 tools identified. These are the results of the studied carried out by EBN from November 2008 to February 2009 to identify concrete successful practices in creating new innovative businesses and in helping foster innovation within existing businesses

Topic 2: Building cooperation between SMEs and Research Institutes in FP7

Project: Detect-it 2

Success Story:

• Helping SMEs in the ICT sector get involved in FP7
• Helping SMEs in the Biotech sector get involved in FP7
• Helping SMEs in the Energy sector get involved in FP7

Useful tools:

• “Guidelines and Recommendations for Business Innovation Centres to facilitate the participation of SMEs in European Research Projects led by Universities and Research Institutes”, Giles Capart, ProTon Europe, December 2007

Topic 3: How to do business with GNSS / GMES

Project: INVESaT

Useful tools:

• Golden Rules Business Guide on  "Doing business with the help of GMES" (by Technofi) including the following useful information:
  • Value Proposition
  • Customers
  • Management
  • Networking & Partnerships
  • Financials & Profitability
• Golden Rules Business Guide on  "All you need to know to do business with GNSS" (by Capital High Tech) including the following useful information:
  • Clear Business Focus
  • Clear Positioning in the Competitive GNSS Environment
  • Network-Based Business Model
  • Strong Market Knowledge & Customer Value Management
  • Clear Routes to Market Growth
  • Pricing & Billing the Added Value
  • Building Strong Bargaining Power
  • Adequate Management Team

Topic 4: SMEs & IPR

Project: IP4Inno

Useful tools:

• Report on SME training requirements in the field of IP management