SME Instrument: Red-white-red record result - 11 Austrian companies successful
Egerth and Pseiner: Austrian SMEs play in the Champions League - "Innovative Enterprise" in Vienna on 21/22 November 2018 focuses on financing opportunities for SMEs
In the latest round of the SME instrument (Phase 1) within the EU Research and Innovation programme "Horizon 2020", a total of 246 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from 24 countries were selected for funding, as announced by the European Commission. Among them are eleven companies from Austria. "This is a record result for Austrian SMEs and a proof that Austrian companies are playing in the Champions League", said the two FFG Managing Directors Henrietta Egerth and Klaus Pseiner. The SME Instrument is aimed at SMEs with radical new ideas that are specifically supported in bringing new products and services with disruptive potential onto the market. In Austria, SMEs are supported by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency FFG, which acts as the National Contact Point. "With our consulting and information services, we are making an important contribution to the successful participation of Austrian companies in this highly competitive programme", said Egerth and Pseiner. FFG offers proposal checks, interview trainings and webinars and also supports companies after successful submission, e.g. in the search for suitable business coaches and in project management.
The SME instrument is part of the pilot project of the European Innovation Council (EIC). In Phase 1 of the SME instrument, the companies are each supported with 50,000 euros for the preparation of a business plan. Furthermore, free coaching is available to the companies. Most of the companies selected for funding in this round are from the sectors information and communication technology (ICT) and health. The next application deadline for the SME instrument Phase 1 is 13 February 2019.
Financing opportunities for SMEs will also be the focus of the "Innovative Enterprise" co-organised by FFG within the framework of the Austrian Presidency of the Council of the EU. The conference with top-class speakers like Wilhelm Molterer (European Fund for Strategic Investment, EFSI) and Hermann Hauser (High Level Group EIC) will take place on 21/22 November 2018 at the Austria Center Vienna. Information and registration >> https://innoenterprisevienna2018.eu/