Horizon 2020 SME Instrument Is it for you? Target, offer, results, hints & tips

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1 Horizon 2020 SME Instrument Is it for you? Target, offer, results, hints & tips

2 Why this presentation? The SME instrument attracted many SME But 88% of proposals are below threshold We want to clarify the rules of the game

3 Menu for today Who shall apply? What does the programme offer? Why would you participate? How are proposals evaluated? What were the results so far? Lessons, hints and tips

4 SME Instrument Target SMEs Single company ok Established in EU or associated countries Innovative idea disruptive - demonstration stage Clear ambition to grow at EU/global level Knowledge of the market and of competitors Convincing commercialisation plan Reapply if your proposal was very close to the threshold and you have managed to improve it.

5 SME Instrument phases

6 Business innovation coaching offer A total of 15 days To empower SMEs in their efforts toward successful commercialisation of their innovation Using professional methods and technics to help strengthening the company s capability to deal with the challenges of each stage of its life cycle Sensing and solving approach Cover aspects such as strategy, organisation, management, financing, resource development Higher efficiency and effectiveness Quicker to the market

7 Themes for 2014 & 2015 High risk ICT innovation Nanotech, or other advanced tech for manufacturing and materials Space research and development Diagnostics devices and biomarkers Sustainable food production and processing Blue growth Low carbon energy systems Greener and more integrated transport Eco-innovation and sustainable supply of raw material Urban critical infrastructure Biotechnology-based industrial processes Mobile e-government applications (2015 only) SME business model innovation (2015 only)

8 Number of projects Varies according to the theme, E.g. : ICT innovation, 90 phase 1 and 26 phase 2 Biotech, 8 phase 1 and 2 phase 2 Check EASME website for number per theme before selecting your team

9 Why participate? Get visibility at European and global level Benefit from business innovation coaching Enlarge your network Reduce your risk and facilitate access to finance

10 Evaluation process Remote evaluation At least 4 evaluator per proposal Balancing knowledge of industry/technology,market, finance) Not more than one evaluator of the country of the applicant No consensus meeting Short standardised feedback No negociation (only duration and starting date)

11 Evaluators 34% women, 12% academic/research, 88% private sector Background Number Share Business general 49 9,4% Business development ,6% Business incubation 20 3,8% Commercial / marketing 15 2,9% Entrepreneurship / start-up 92 17,7% Finance 25 4,8% Gender issues 1 0,2% Innovation management % Legal expert IPR 15 2,9% Risk finance 31 6% Other 9 1,7% TOTAL %

12 Evaluation criteria 3 criteria: o Possible economic impact o Excellence in innovation o Implementation SME potential achieving the envisaged results Median rating

13 Evaluation: IMPACT Convince evaluators that your project will make money and create jobs Market (will to pay) - targeted users Market conditions competition Market share Commercialisation plan EU/global dimension Knowledge protection Jobs created in Europe

14 Evaluation: EXCELLENCE Convince evaluators that your innovation is excellent Innovative product/process/service Viable & Disruptive technology Added value Better than existing solutions Commercial potential Understanding of risks and opportunities

15 Evaluation: IMPLEMENTATION Convince evaluators that you will make it Credibility of the work plan Right Resources internally Right Partners and stakeholders Team organisation Realistic time frame

16 Thresholds Phase 1 4 out of 5 for each individual criteria 13 out of 15 overall Phase 2 3 out of 5 for individual criteria Excepted 'Impact': 4 out of 5 12 out of 15 overall For both criteria 'Impact' is given a weight of 1,5 to establish the ranking

17 Results Cut-off date 18/09/ /09/ /10/2014 Phase N of proposals received From single companies 97% 91% 78% Success rate 6% 9% 12% Abobe threshold 317 Estimates Funded For the first cut-off phase 1, every second good proposal is funded

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19 The 5 highest "country success rates" are: Ireland: 20% Austria: 15% United Kingdom: 11% Israel: 10% Spain: 9%

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21 SME size for the first cut-off

22 SME age for the first cut-off

23 First lessons learnt Unsuccessful proposals were: Too much focused on the project, not on the opportunity Without convicing description of the company Without enough information on competing solutions Not innovative enough Without commercialisation concept (TRL too low) Just trying ones' luck

24 Hints and tips Before taking a strategic decision to apply Look carefully at the programme target Assess if your project is mature in all aspects of evaluation criteria Take advise on other funding programmes from NCP, EEN or others, notably incubators if you are a starter company Try a 5 minute pitch If you work with a consultant choose a success fee rather than a fixed price

25 Hints and tips When applying: Make sure your proposal is balanced and covers all aspects of each evaluation criteria Write to convince evaluators to invest Put concrete realistic figures Show market size, market share, sales price, Show 3 years projections of sales volumes, turnover, jobs created Invest in a caching title and a good abstract Use the full 10 pages delete the hints in the template Form matters, test your proposal, review the language, Do not wait the cut-off date

26 QUESTIONS? For more information