Digital Entrepreneurship & ICT Innovation Vouchers

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Digital Entrepreneurship & ICT Innovation Vouchers"

Angela Mills
8 years ago
Views:

1 Digital Entrepreneurship & ICT Innovation Vouchers SMEs Going Digital Helen Köpman European Commission DG Connect - Innovation

2 Why ICT matters ICT is key enabler of competitiveness and innovation By 2016, the Digital Economy will reach 3.2 trillion Euros in the G-20 economies More than 75% of the value added created by the internet is in traditional industries, in higher productivity SMEs grow 2-3 x faster when they embrace the digital economy ICT creates jobs: for every job destroyed by the emergence of the internet, 2.6 new jobs were created in the EU

2 trillion Euros in the G-20 economies More than 75% of the value added created by the internet is in

3 SMEs are the lifeblood of EU 98,8 % of all companies 2/3 of all jobs 1/2 of Gross Value Added

4 Positive outlook for SMEs following period of economic instability Source: Vodaphone, Pan-Europan Research, April-May 2013 'The connected future for SMEs' Beth Pearson, 28/1/14

5 Technology is definitely on the SME agenda Source: Vodaphone, Pan-Europan Research, April-May 2013 'The connected future for SMEs' Beth Pearson, 28/1/14

6 SMEs on the adoption curve Clear distinction between 'emerging' and 'mature' technologies Source: Vodaphone, Pan-Europan Research, April-May 2013 'The connected future for SMEs' Beth Pearson, 28/1/14

7 Five key areas for technology investment Source: Vodaphone, Pan-Europan Research, April-May 2013 'The connected future for SMEs' Beth Pearson, 28/1/14

8 What would drive SMEs to invest more in technology? Source: Vodaphone, Pan-Europan Research, April-May 2013 'The connected future for SMEs' Beth Pearson, 28/1/14

9 What are Financial incentive for EU micro-enterprises and SMEs What for To innovate by investing in digital technologies What impact Investment should help them increase their competitiveness and enhance their growth prospects What value Typically low value voucher, up to 10,000

Investment should help them increase their competitiveness and

10 For who? Established companies or entrepreneurs Located in regions where the vouchers scheme is deployed Micro-enterprises & SMEs Demand Company or public body registered in the EU Able to deliver quality services required at market price ICT knowledge/ service provider Supply

vouchers scheme is deployed Micro-enterprises & SMEs Demand Company

11 What for? Basic level SMEs seeking presence on the web or with low ICT knowledge Medium level SMEs using web + other ICT tools to expand production/sales processes Expert level SMEs pushing ICT innovation to its limits

12 Examples of services ICT design and development e-commerce e-skills Business solutions services Evaluation of processes or product design Product testing Validating, certifying services Prototyping and R&D demonstration New ICT-based business models

or product design Product testing Validating, certifying

13 How does it work for a Region? Definition of the scheme Identify the implementing body Tailor the scheme Managing authority Operational Programme Regional development agencies, Innovation agencies, Chambers of commerce, Universities, Cluster organisations Regional innovation targets Needs of the SMEs Keep it "fast & light". Monitoring performance and impact

authority Operational Programme Regional development agencies, Innovation agencies,

14 How does it work for an SME? Request for the voucher Allocation of the voucher Use and redemption of the voucher SME applies Concrete plan to use ICT services in their business Estimated cost of services List of ICT service providers Implementing body evaluates Defined selection criteria Provides voucher to SME In a few working days! SME buys ICT services from accredited ICT knowledge/service providers in exchange for the voucher + own investment Reimbursement of the voucher from the implementing body

services in their business Estimated cost of services List of ICT service providers Implementing body evaluates Defined

Best practices of innovation vouchers Innovation vouchers have successfully been implemented in European regions since more than 10 years Pilot ICT

15 Best practices of innovation vouchers Innovation vouchers have successfully been implemented in European regions since more than 10 years Pilot ICT innovation voucher schemes are being run for SMEs in both Spanish regions of Extremadura and Region of Murcia funded through the EU Structural Funds

years Pilot ICT innovation voucher schemes are being run for SMEs in both

16 What are you waiting for? For further information:

STRATEGIC POLICY FORUM ON DIGITAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP. Fuelling Digital Entrepreneurship in Europe. Background paper

EUROPEAN COMMISSION ENTERPRISE AND INDUSTRY DIRECTORATE-GENERAL Service Industries Key Enabling Technologies and Digital Economy Introduction STRATEGIC POLICY FORUM ON DIGITAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP Fuelling