Evaluation of BSR Stars Innovation Express 2015 – projects implemented in 2016-17 Summary of Key Messages and Case Stories
Overview of Results and Key Messages from the Evaluation Five Key Messages 27 Innovation Express projects 1. Cluster organizations continue to be viewed as an implemented in 2016-17 effective instrument to support SME internationalization – providing support and activities are that are well- aligned with SME needs. Involving 64 clusters and more 2. Several different internationalization models are pursued. than 1100 SMEs from 17 countries Some focus on strengthening export and globalisation, while others focus on developing research collaboration or building transnational platforms between clusters. Implementing various approaches 3. The most successful approaches combine aspects of to internationalisation several models – offering a tailored package of services to a targeted group of SMEs, and planning in time for follow- Resulting in... up and coaching with SMEs. 4. Innovation Express projects deliver useful results for SMEs New knowledge, partners and – providing new knowledge and inspiration and initiating international opportunities for relations with new partners. SMEs view this as a helpful ”first step” that may lead to longer-term commercial or 71% of participating SMEs innovation collaboration. 5. The Innovation Express concept is perceived as a valuable Initiation of longer-term instrument that fills a gap in existing support to innovation collaboration or international collaboration. It is quick, simple and enables commercial contracts for 15% of actual involvement of SMEs in international activities that participating SMEs are tailored to their needs.
Innovation Express – aims and approach • Addressing shared policy objectives for SME internationalisation and transnational innovation collaboration (interregional S3) • Using a common approach encompassing a joint call, matchmaking event and learning activities – coordinated by the Danish AIEG, as part of the BSR Stars flagship • Leveraging cluster/network organisations to mobilise SMEs and tailor project activities to identified needs • Providing ”seed investments” (between 10- 60.000 EUR per project grant/country) for short-term collaborative projects (12-18 mo) • IE call in 2015 resulted in 27 collaborative projects, involving 64 clusters and more than 1100 SMEs from 17 countries – Of the 64 clusters, 40 were funded applicants – 8 BSR countries + AT,BE,FR,GR,ES,PT,UK,US, Singapore
Questions addressed by the Evaluation • What internationalization support activities are most in demand by SMEs? • Are cluster/network organizations helpful in understanding SME needs, identifying opportunities, mobilizing and catalyzing SMEs’ international activities? • What results do SMEs get out of Innovation Express projects? • What are the different approaches used and models for internationalization of SMEs through clusters? Is the ”Innovation Express” approach (i.e. lower financing levels, quicker • time to decision and short time to act) attractive and effective for fostering SMEs’ internationalization? • Does supra-national support (i.e. common brand and coordination, joint matchmaking event, top-up financing for ’joint purposes’, etc.) provide added value?
The evaluation provides evidence of the value-added of Innovation Express projects for SMEs , and highlights the continued support for this approach as an efficient way to facilitate linkages and initiate transnational collaboration – testing relevance for SMEs before investing in more ambitious and longer-term activities with international partners.
Approach to data collection Survey to cluster organisations/project owners (31 respondents) • Survey to participating SMEs (target of 3 per project) (124 respondents) • NOTES: No responses from Lithuania, as the cluster organisation (and project) closed. Responses from SMEs above # of targeted SMEs in DK as received responses from more than 3 SMEs in several projects. • Analysis of documents and limited interviews (8) to develop case stories
SMEs’ view access to new international contacts and new knowledge/inspiration as most helpful Observations (relative to 2014 Eval) : - Networking/access to new international contacts stands out as the most useful service for SMEs (is this always the main focus of SMEs in “The support we're receiving is particularly important for us clusters?) towards the fulfillment of our needs and ambitions of tapping - Slight decrease in ”exposure to into new markets...(it) allows a more robust and structured opportunities in other fields” networking to be achieved.” Essensus, SME within CLEAN, DK (relative to last year)
Internationalization support provided by cluster organisations is well-aligned with SME needs Observation (relative to 2014 Eval) : Not quite as positive as previous years “The cluster has helped analyse the needs and find external expertise for our efforts.” Erkers Möbler, SME within IUC Dalarna, SE “We have achieved some really good contacts in the matchmaking process. The specific profile that LD Cluster made with us helped identify the best possible partners.” Fantini, SME within Lifestyle and Design cluster, DK
Innovation Express projects deliver useful results for SMEs More than 65% of SME respondents viewed knowledge sharing and opportunity identification, and access to new partners as the main results. Even though Innovation Express projects are short and focus on initial mobilisation and exploratory activities, a substantial number of SMEs indicate that projects also result in the initiation of longer-term research and innovation collaboration or commercial contracts .
Project results are similar over time Observations (relative to 2014 Eval) : - Generally the same pattern: a strong focus on exploratory activities in international markets, with 1 out of 6(ish) companies also reporting commercial results - Slight decrease in ”initiation of longer-term research and innovation collaboration” (relative to last year)
SMEs report a range of results “By attending WIN Nordic meetings, we have exposed our company which made us start working with international partners, which in turn can lead to joint applications of EU funds. We have also improved our own knowledge of how the market segment in the water industry looks and what interest exists for the type of products we develop .” 4IT, Swedish SME within Nordic WIN “The meetings in Catalonia and Sweden helped us to access to new networks and strengthened our visibility in these Nordic markets.” AMPHOS21, SME within Catalan Water Partnership “The company has started internationalisation in this project. The project has given us the opportunity to showcase us and our products in an international market. We have been able to make ourselves visible and find new markets. Today, it is too early to say if the efforts will lead to business, but it feels like a stable start.” Ekers Leksandsstolen, SME within Bygg Dialog/IUC Dalarna, SE “The network organisation helped organise a Eurostars application. We will be applying for a Eurostars project - focused on bio-based building materials - in September 2017.” Burnblock, SME within InnoBYG cluster, DK “We created contact to two new Spanish customers, and we are now doing business with them. We also renewed our contact to an existing customer in Iceland, tripling our business with them.” BOCO Seafood, SME in FoodNetwork, DK
Innovation Express is a pragmatic instrument for SME internationalisation Three quarters of participating SMEs reported that they would not have pursued the international activities without the proactive opportunity identification, legitimate frame and stronger international visibility, and financial and other support provided by the projects. “It would have been too expensive to take on as a 1-person company. Also the network with other Danish companies would have been impossible for me to attain on my own.” “We probably wouldn’t have pursued (international activities) in the short term. As a small firm, we need to execute operations in a lean manner. Being part of a group enables us to pursue opportunities beyond our capacity.” Cluster organisations echoed this sentiment – highlighting that IE projects provided the resources to quickly mobilise actors and initiate activities, and offered a ”lower risk test” (lower financing and shorter time periods) of new international collaboration. “IE provides a different value proposition in comparison to other available forms of support such as EEN and Danish trade councils in foreign countries. The main difference regards the possibility of empowering cluster organisations to directly access local cluster organisations in potential export markets and to directly involve Danish SMEs.” (Offshore Energy cluster, DK) “Nordic countries are interesting for the Catalan Water Partnership and its members. However, without the matchmaking event and the BSR financial support, it would have been much more difficult to collaborate with them and to identify synergies and opportunities.” (CWP, ES)
Various approaches and activities for internationalisation can be pursued • SME globalisation via clusters • SME internationalisation along the value chain • Cross-sectorial innovation • System export via complex product solutions • Transnational cluster platforms • Clusters supporting SMEs international research
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