Guide Book. For the development of Innovative Economy

Transcription

1 Guide Book 13 ways to become innovative Establishing a successful business within the Operational Programme Innovative Economy For the development of Innovative Economy

2 Guide Book 13 ways to become innovative Establishing a successful business within the Operational Programme Innovative Economy Publisher: Polish Agency for Enterprise Development Edition I Free of charge publication Copyright by PAED Warsaw, December 2009 Informational brochure co-financed by European Union from the European Regional Development Fund

3 Introduction The Operational Programme Innovative Economy (OP IE) is one of six national programmes under National Strategic Reference Framework of the National Cohesion Strategy, which are co-financed from EU resources. This programme is directed mostly to all entrepreneurs who want to implement innovative projects connected with research and development, modern technologies, investments of high importance for the national economy or implementation and use of information and communication technologies. The Programme aims at supporting innovativeness in its broad sense. This aid comprises both direct support for entrepreneurs, business support institutions and scientific entities providing entrepreneurs with high quality services, and systemic support, ensuring development of institutional environment of innovative enterprises. The Programme is addressed to entrepreneurs, who implement high-innovative projects based on the development of investments, researches and modern technologies of high importance to the economy and the country. The Polish Agency for Enterprise Development (PAED) is widely involved into the implementation of the most crucial programmes within the all National Cohesion Strategy. Apart of the OP IE, the Agency is also responsible for managing of the Operational Programmes: Development of Eastern Poland and Human Capital. Within the OP IE, PAED acts as the Implementing Agency and manages the majority of measures under the Programme, all addressed to the Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises. These measures aim not only to increase the innovativeness of the enterprises as itself, but first of all - to strengthen their position in the face of the sharp competition on the common European market. Under the OP IE , the Agency is responsible for the budget of almost EUR 4 billion. PAED has a deep experience in the co-operation and support of the Polish SME s. In the Agency was responsible for the implementation of the Sector Operational Programme Improvement of the Competitiveness of Enterprises the predecessor of the OP IE. PAED implemented also activities of the Sector Operational Programme Human Resources Development, co-financed from the European Social Fund. The Polish Agency for Enterprise Development does not maintain regional offices. That s why the Agency cooperates with institutions chosen through competitive selection procedures - Regional Financing Institutions (RFIs). RFIs are the regional partner of PAED, cooperating with the implementation of programmes addressed to the micro, small and medium enterprises. The main RFIs activities include: providing information on available co-financing programmes and the conditions of participation; administrative services of implemented programmes; co-operation with PAED within the substantial and financial monitoring of the implemented programmes; preparation of substantial and financial reports; running the data base on the members of the programmes. The complete list of RFIs is available at the PAED web site ( RFIs, together with the Consultation Centres and National Innovation Centres, are gathered in the National SMEs Services Network (KSU). The whole Network represents approx. 200 mutually cooperating non-profit organisations, providing advisory, informational, training and financial services in favor of micro, small and middle enterprises and entities starting their business activity.

4 The Consultation Centres are run by entities registered in the National SMEs Services Network and represent the network of 111 centres, providing free of charge informational services for entrepreneurs and persons, who intend to start their business activity, on the widely-understood entrepreneurship development and available support tools for the entrepreneurs. More information on the National SMEs Services Network is available on the web site The Polish Agency for Enterprise Development subordinates to the Ministry of Regional Development, which is the Managing Authority (MA) for the Programme. Apart from MA, there are also bodies intermediating in the Programme implementation so-called Intermediate Bodies: Ministry of Economy; Ministry of Science and Higher Education; Ministry of Interior and Administration.

5 Description of the Operational Programme Innovative Economy Measures of product, process, marketing and organisational innovation, which will directly or indirectly facilitate the emergence and development of innovative enterprises, will be supported within the Programme. Support is provided regardless of the sector or industry in which the company operates. Therefore, only projects which are innovative on a national or international scale can obtain support through the OP IE. Funding at a level of more than EUR 9.71 billion has been assigned to the Programme for the years Of this amount, EUR 8.25 billion comes from the European Regional Development Fund and EUR 1.46 billion comes from the state budget. The Programme s objective is to support widely-understood innovativeness through direct support of enterprises, business support institutions and scientific units providing services to companies. The Programme also provides system support, the objective of which is to develop the institutional environment for innovative enterprises. This objective will be achieved through the following detailed objectives: 1. The increase in innovativeness of enterprises; 2. The growth in innovativeness of Polish science; 3. An increase in the significance of science in economic development; 4. An increase in the share of innovative products from the Polish economy on the international market; 5. The creation of sustainable and better jobs; 6. An increase in the use of information and communication technologies in the economy. The Polish Agency for Enterprise Development is implementing the following measures: 1.4 Support for goal-oriented projects; 3.1 Initiating of innovative activity; 3.3 Development of system facilitating investing in SME s; 4.1 Support for implementation of results of R&D; 4.2 Stimulation of R&D activity of enterprises and support within the scope of industrial design; 4.4 New investments of high innovative potential; 5.1 Support for the development of supra-regional cooperative relations; 5.2 Supporting business environment institutions providing proinnovative services and its networks of supraregional importance; 5.3 Support for innovation centres; 5.4 Intellectual property management; 6.1 Passport to export; 8.1 Support for economic activity as regards electronic economy; 8.2 Support for implementation of electronic business B2B. These measures are addressed to three main beneficiaries groups: entrepreneurs, scientific and research entities and business support institutions.

6 The structure of the OP IE and the beneficiaries Operational Programme Innovative Economy Entrepreneurs Business support institutions Measure 1.4 Measure 3.1 Measure 3.3, sub-measure Measure 3.3, sub-measure Measure 4.1 Measure 5.1 Measure 4.2 Measure 5.2 Measure 4.4 Measure 5.3 Measure 5.4, sub-measure Measure 5.4, sub-measure Measure 6.1 Measure 8.1 Measure 8.2

7 Measure 1.4 and 4.1 Support for goal-oriented projects and support for implementation of results of R&D Measure 1.4 has the objective of increasing the importance of science in the economy through research and development projects in areas considered key to the country s development. As a result, the innovativeness of enterprises will simultaneously be increased. The beneficiaries of this measure may be micro, small, medium-sized and large companies based in Poland. Co-financing from measure 1.4 may be obtained for R&D projects, the support of projects encompassing technical, technological and organisational projects up to the moment when a prototype is created and tested. Entrepreneurs can handle projects independently or in co-operation with scientific establishments. Measure 4.1 is a compulsory continuation of measure 1.4. Its objective is to co-finance the implementation of the results of R&D. A condition to obtain funding is the successful completion of measure 1.4, which ends in the creation of a prototype that has a chance of being a commercial success. Support for the implementation of the project s results can be obtained through measure 4.1, which is related to measure 1.4. For simplicity, beneficiaries submit only one application form which include research phase (1.4) and its implementation (4.1). Projects that can be implemented under measures 1.4 and 4.1 are those involving industrial research and experimental development. Support will be provided to investment projects (purchase of fixed assets or intangible assets) along with the necessary consulting component (consulting qualifies for co-financing only for SME s). The outcome of these projects must be the implementation of results of R&D achieved at the 1st stage of the project or as part of the Technological Initiative I (programme being implemented by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education). The support can also be granted as the costs refunding of the financial guarantees and keeping a bank account or sub-account dedicated to the payment service of the project. Applications under this measure are collected by the Regional Financing Institutions. Allocation EUR 780 million (60% of funds are directed to the SME sector) Maximum level of co-financing of the project Measure 1.4 Measure 4.1 Micro and small enterprises Medium-sized enterprises Industrial research up to 70% Experimental development up to 45% Industrial research up to 60% Experimental development up to 35% Investments from 50% do 70%, depending on the localization of the project (apart of SME s operating in the road transport sector), advisory 50% Investments from 40% to 60%, depending on the localization of the project (apart of SME s operating in the road transport sector), advisory 50% Large enterprises Costs of establishing and maintaining the agreement insurance and costs of opening and keeping a dedicated bank account or sub-account which are used for advance payments and refunding Maximum amount of the project s support Industrial research up to 50% Experimental development up to 25% up to 100% EUR 7.5 million Investments from 30% to 50%, depending on the localization of the project (apart SME s operating in the road transport sector), advisory 50% PLN 20 million

8 Measure 3.1 Initiating of innovative activity The measure is targeted at newly established enterprises operating on the basis of innovative solutions. Enterprises may obtain support through business environment institutions which can directly apply for funding from this measure. The task of these institutions is to support potential entrepreneurs by helping them establish companies, offering advice, as well as making infrastructure available and providing financing. Measure 3.1 has the objective of selecting institutions through a grant competition which will provide twostage support to entrepreneurs or candidate entrepreneurs. In the first instance, the selected entities will look for and select innovative ideas and help establish companies on their basis. This stage is described by the term pre-incubation. When it transpires that the idea has a chance of commercial success, the enterprise can apply for equity support. The support institution exits from the investment when the enterprise gains a stable position, which enables it to operate independently on the market. Allocation Maximum amount of the project s support EUR 110 million The equivalent of EUR * In the case of entrepreneurs operating in the road transport sector EUR * For the purchase of shares or stocks in the company established as a result of pre-incubation, alongside with the value of the transfered to the company fixed and intanglibe assets. Measure 3.3 Development of system facilitating investing in SME s The main objective of measure 3.3 is to create convenient conditions for starting up a co-operation between entrepreneurs looking for capital to implement innovative projects and investors. This measure helps to activate investors and supports entrepreneurs in their preparations for the receipt of external financing. The beneficiaries of the measure 3.3 may be mainly business support institutions, but also existing and newly established networks of investors, as well as small and medium-sized entrepreneurs. The measure 3.3 has been divided into two submeasures: The support for business environment institutions The projects implemented by business support institutions are of educational / advisory nature, e.g. the organisation of training, seminars and conferences. Their audience is to be small and medium-sized entrepreneurs, who, as a result of these activities, gain knowledge about subjects related to the receipt of funding for the development of their companies through external financing. Under the sub-measure 3.3.1, co-financing can be granted to business environment institutions (BEI), including existing and newly created investor networks. BEIs execute educational and consulting projects, provide micro, small and medium enterprises with tools necessary to obtain external sources of financing by organizing conferences, seminars and training courses. The projects in implementation are also aimed to boost the investors (including business angels) interest in innovative projects, thus increasing the number of investment projects undertaken by them. Support will be granted i.a. to: 1. prepare micro, small and medium enterprises, as well as individuals undertaking economic activity, to obtain external sources of financing; 2. support the creation and growth of private investor networks interested in investment in micro, small and medium enterprises; 3. support and promote co-operation between private investor networks and business support institutions; 4. organize, develop and support platforms intended to match investors with entrepreneurs seeking external sources of financing;

9 5. provide information on and promote services offered by private investor networks; 6. organize training courses on investment in enterprises for private investors and their networks Support for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Sub-measure is addressed directly to micro, small and medium enterprises. Companies can obtain co-financing of consulting services for preparing documentation and analyses necessary to attract an external equity investor. This sub-measure enables small and medium-sized enterprises to obtain financing for advisory services on the preparation of the documentation and analyses required for attracting external investors. Allocation Maximum level of the project s support Business environment institutions Small and Medium-sized Enterprises EUR 50 million 100% of the eligible costs Up to 50% of expenditures actually incurred Measure 4.2 Stimulation of R&D activity of enterprises and support within the scope of industrial design This measure is addressed to micro, small, medium-sized and large enterprises, which want to invest in R&Drelated activities and which are building their position on the basis of increased use of industrial and utility designs. The objective of the measure is to increase competitiveness and the share of innovative Polish products on international markets. There are two types of projects that are supported by measure 4.2. The first type applies to the expansion of R&D activity in Poland, especially concentrating on transformations of enterprises into research and development centres. The co-financing includes the purchase of fixed assets, as well as advisory and training services and intangible assets related to the R&D being conducted. The second type of projects includes the development of a new industrial or utility design and its launch into production. Support may be obtained in these projects for the purchase of training and advisory services related to the preparation of projects concept documentation, design and technical / technological documentation, a proprietary design plan and the preparation of the final plan. Co-financing can also be obtained for the purchase of the fixed assets or intangible assets required for manufacturing a test batch and introducing the design into production. Under measure 4.2, two types of projects may receive support: projects regarding support for companies R&D activity, helping increase the number of companies that run R&D and change the entrepreneurs status to research and development centers (R&DC). The support covers co-financing of investment necessary for R&D operations (e.g. infrastructure, research equipment, legal and training consulting); projects regarding the development of an industrial or utility design and its implementation in production. The support is provided for investment projects related to launching the production according to a newly developed design. Co-financed here are training and consulting operations involved in development of the complete documentation (documentation of the conceptual design, structural documentation and technical and technological documentation), development of a copyrighted design, development of the final project and a purchase of fixed assets or intangible assets necessary to implement the design in a mass production. However, project profitability must be assured to obtain the co-financing. The support can also be granted as the costs refunding of the financial guarantees and running of a bank account or subaccount dedicated to the payment service of the project.

10 The support depends on the size of the enterprise and the location of the project. Micro and small enterprises can obtain support from 50% to 70% of the eligible costs; medium companies from 40% to 60% and the large ones from 30% to 50% depending on the region, in which the investment is implemented. Allocation R+D Maximum amount of the project s support Industrial design Maximum amount of the project s support EUR 186 million Investment part PLN 1.4 million Advisory part PLN Training part PLN Investment part PLN 21 million Advisory part PLN Training part PLN 1 million Measure 4.4 New investments of a high innovative potential The entrepreneurs who wish to introduce new, innovative technologies into their companies in order to start-up production or are planning to provide services leading to the market launch of new or improved products can take advantage of the support offered by measure 4.4. They must offer technologies which have not been used anywhere in the world for longer than three years or the extent of their global diffusion in a given industry is no greater than 15%. However, the projects introducing exceptionally new technologies have the greatest chances. The co-financing can be granted for the purchase of fixed assets and intangible assets which are directly related to the acquisition of these assets. Financing of advisory and training services is also possible if this is required for correct project implementation. The support can also be granted as the costs refunding of the financial guarantees and running of a bank account or subaccount dedicated to the payment service of the project. The support is not granted to projects which only introduce changes of an organisational or marketing nature. The beneficiaries of measure 4.4 may be enterprises, regardless the size, operating in the production and services sphere, which are registered in Poland. One of the conditions of accession to the measure is the presentation of a project which is not related to the agricultural, fishery, iron and steel, coal mining, construction, shipbuilding or synthetic fibres sectors. Applications under this measure are collected by the Regional Financing Institutions. Allocation Minimum amount of eligible expenses Maximum amount of eligible expenses Maximum amount of the project s support EUR 1.42 billion PLN 8 million PLN 160 million Investment part PLN 40 million (level of co-financing from 30% to 70% depending on the project location and the size of the enterprise) Advisory part only available for SMEs PLN 1 million (intensity of the support 50% of the eligible costs of advisory services) Training part PLN 1 million (25% for enterprises other than SMEs, 45% for small enterprises and 35% for medium-sized enterprises)

11 Measure 5.1 Support for the development of supra-regional cooperative relations The objective of measure 5.1 is to strengthen the competitive position of enterprises through the support of development between companies and between enterprises and business support institutions, including scientific establishments. The experience of highly developed countries has shown that such support facilitates the flow of knowledge and experience, helps the transfer of technology and information between enterprises from a group and contributes to the achievement of better results, which are frequently unachievable by individual companies. Apart from stimulating innovative activities, such co-operation also contributes to the reduction of the costs of activities through the use of a common infrastructure and better access to services. Under the measure 5.1 support is to be granted to the joint projects of the groups of participants, aiming at preparation of the common innovative product or service and introducing it on the market. Co-financing is granted to the coordinator of the cooperative connections if this is a non-profit coordinator. The coordinator may be a foundation, registered association, joint-stock company, limited liability company, institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences or a research and development establishment. It is also possible for the coordinator to be an organisation of entrepreneurs, the core activities of which are the implementation of projects for other entrepreneurs and projects supporting co-operation between entrepreneurs and business support institutions, as well as research organisations. It is important that the project needs to assure the participation of at least 10 companies in the cooperative connections, whereby at least half of them must be from the SME sector. Additionally, at least one business support institution and one research and development centre must belong to the connections. A group of connections designed in this way may apply for the support i.a. for: the purchase of fixed assets and intangible assets related to the new investment; advisory services on the preparation of plans for the development and expansion of the connections; participation in national and international meetings for the purpose of exchanging experiences; the purchase of a generally accessible research infrastructure; investments in a broadband network infrastructure; the management of generally accessible technical support for the connections; promotional activities in order to attract new enterprises to participate in the connections; the organisation of training programmes, workshops and conferences; costs refunding of the financial guarantees; run of a bank account or subaccount dedicated to the payment service of the project. Allocation Maximum amount of the project s support EUR million Investment part PLN 20 million Advisory part PLN Market expansion up to PLN Training part PLN 1 million Operating expenses 5% of total expenses which are eligible for support

12 Measure 5.2 Supporting business environment institutions providing proinnovative services and its networks of supra-regional importance The measure 5.2 has the objective of facilitating access to high quality services related to innovative activities. This access is to be assured by business support institutions and their supraregional networks which provide services of, inter alia, technology transfer, conducting corporate activities or use of industrial and utility designs. Projects supported under this measure are those involving: preparation and development of a package of pro-innovation services (to include: consulting, training, information, networking/partner seeking services). These services must be intended to improve the competitiveness of companies operating in Poland; ensuring the entrepreneurs access to pro-innovation services (co-financing the cost of providing selected services to the entrepreneurs and of joint projects by networked institutions); covering the costs involved in coordinating network operation; building and developing the IT system to include innovation information. The support can also be granted as the costs refunding of the financial guarantees and running of a bank account or subaccount dedicated to the payment service of the project. Individual business support institutions operating in networks and the networks of these institutions may apply for co-financing by submitting projects in the competition procedure. The Institute of Industrial Design and Academic Business Incubators which implement individual projects can receive support. Applications may be submitted in measure 5.2 for the support of projects which include the preparation and development of a package of pro-innovative services, the provision of access to pro-innovative services to companies or to cover the costs of network coordination. Projects related to the construction and expansion of an IT system, which contains information on innovations servicing the entity which coordinates the network s activities, can also receive support. Allocation Maximum amount of the project s support EUR 65.7 million Up to 100% of the eligible expenses

13 Measure 5.3 Support for innovation centres The measure 5.3 is targeted at the support of the creation and development of innovation centres located in areas of a high development potential. It is addressed to highly specialised business support institutions which provide services of a high market / technology potential. These are especially institutions managing science and technology parks, technology incubators, advanced technology centres, productivity centres and other centres of specialist services to entrepreneurs, in particular, small and medium-sized enterprises. It is important that only individual projects of strategic importance to the implementation of the whole measure are supported through measure 5.3. The list of these projects is available at the web site of PAED ( index/index/921). The support may be obtained in this measure for projects related to: advisory services on the preparation of the centre s development strategy, taking into account the needs of entrepreneurs; advisory and promotional services arising from the centre s development strategy which is being implemented; investments arising from the implementation of the centre s development strategy in terms of expansion or modernisation of the existing technical infrastructure; the promotion of services in the local, regional and international environments, through the preparation of materials and presentations in the media, as well as the organisation of seminars and conferences. The support can also be granted as the costs refunding of the financial guarantees and running of a bank account or subaccount dedicated to the payment service of the project. Allocation EUR 190 million Minimum project value PLN 40 million Maximum amount of the project s support 85%

14 Measure 5.4 Intellectual property management The measure 5.4 has the objective of encouraging entrepreneurs to legally protect their industrial property. The legally protected property is to increase the value of investment in research and development, because new solutions will be made available, which will bring benefits to their inventors. Two sub-measures have been distinguished in measure 5.4: Support of the receipt / implementation of industrial property protection This sub-measure enables the receipt of co-financing for projects which have the objective of taking advantage of the protection of industrial property items, such as inventions, as well as industrial and utility designs. The support includes the preparation of the notification by a professional proxy and his representation, official fees for the notification and translations. However, support cannot be obtained for the protection of industrial property if the subject of the notification arose from fundamental research, the notification applies to trade marks or a notification to the Patent Office of the Republic of Poland regarding the receipt of protection exclusively on the territory of the Republic of Poland. Another type of projects under measure is the co-financing of the implementation of industrial property protection, namely the coverage of the costs related to the initiation and handling of proceedings to invalidate a patent, protective rights for a utility design or registration rights. Proceedings can also be initiated to establish the expiry of a patent, a protective right on a utility design or a registration right. However, support will not be awarded if the item arose from fundamental research or the subject of the proceedings is a trade mark. Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, which have their registered offices on the territory of Poland and which satisfy the conditions specified in the regulation of the Minister of Regional Development on the award of financial aid by PAED within OP IE, may apply for co-financing for these projects. The sub-measure provides support in seeking / executing protection of industrial property, by covering the costs of filing patent applications for inventions, utility designs and industrial designs to include: patent application being developed by a professional attorney; official fees for filing the application; proceedings before a competent authority to get protection; translation; being represented by a professional attorney in dealings with a given industrial property authority; as well as to cover the costs of starting and conducting proceedings to: void a patent, a protective right for a utility design or a right under registration; declare an expiration of a patent, a protective right for a utility design or a right under registration. The support can also be granted as the costs refunding of the financial guarantees and running of a bank account or subaccount dedicated to the payment service of the project. The support for obtaining the protection of industrial protection my not be granted if: the object of the application was developed as a result of basic research; the application relates to trade marks; filing with the Polish Patent Office is applicable to getting protection only within Poland.

15 5.4.2 Popularisation of knowledge on intellectual property The sub-measure has the purpose of supporting the dissemination of knowledge on the possibilities, benefits and methods of protecting intellectual property among entrepreneurs. Grants may be obtained for promotional and informational projects which increase the awareness of entrepreneurs regarding the protection of the property and the methods and possibilities of protecting their intellectual property. The sub-measure co-finances projects related to spreading the knowledge on intellectual property. The aim, in particular, is for Business Support Institutions to spread and popularize methods, opportunities and benefits involved in intellectual property protection in enterprises. The entities supporting economic development or innovativeness, which satisfy the conditions specified in the regulation of the Minister of Regional Development on the award of financial aid by PAED within OP IE, may apply for support. Allocation EUR 39 million Sub-measure 5.4.1: Reception / implementation of the industrial property protection Level of support From PLN to PLN Reception of the industrial property protection Microenterprises 70% of eligible expenses if the subject of the notification arose from industrial research Small enterprises 60% of eligible expenses if the subject of the notification arose from industrial research Micro and small enterprises 45% of eligible Intensity of support expenses if the subject of the notification arose from development work Medium enterprises 35% of eligible expenses if the subject of the notification arose from development work Implementation of the industrial property protection Intensity of support Microenterprises and small enterprises 45% of eligible expenses if the subject of the notification arose from industrial research Medium enterprises 35% of eligible expenses if the subject of the notification arose from development work Sub-measure 5.4.2: Dissemination of knowledge on industrial property protection Level of the project s support Intensity of the project s support Min. PLN , max. PLN 2 million Up to 100% of the eligible expenses

16 Measure 6.1 Passport to export The measure 6.1 has the objective of increasing the competitiveness of Polish enterprises on the international markets regarding sales of products and services and is addressed to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. The entrepreneurs, who have not been exporting their products and services to date on the international markets, or who have been doing this on a small scale, can take advantage of the package which consists of advisory services and the co-financing of tools which increase attractiveness on foreign markets. The beneficiaries must satisfy specific conditions regarding the share of exports or sales on the internal market of the European Union to total sales. This share in the last financial year before the date of submission of the application cannot be greater than 30%. The projects under the measure 6.1 are to be involved within two stages: Stage I preparation of exports growth plan Stage I of measure 6.1 allows for co-financing projects aimed to prepare an exports growth plan by buying external consulting services. The Plan preparation time under stage I is not to exceed 6 months. The assistance in measure 6.1 also includes obligatory advisory services regarding the assessment of the export potential and in the process of preparing the Export Development Plan. The co-operation with the advisor enables the entrepreneur to receive an indication of the target market for the export or sales activities to the markets of the European Union, the information on the rules and regulations of the target market and the available financial support instruments for the exporter. Stage II implementation of the exports growth plan Stage II of measure 6.1 allows for co-financing projects aimed to implement an exports growth plan using selectable pro-exports activities. The Plan implementation time under stage II is not to exceed 24 months. Under the Stage II the entrepreneur can obtain support for the implementation of the Export Developmen Plan. The support can be granted for the implementation of at least two activities specified in the Plan, including at least one from the activities presented in points c) to f ): a. participation in the foreign trade fairs as an exhibitor; b. organisation and participation in trade missions abroad; c. searching and selecting partners on the target markets; d. obtaining needed documentation, allowing for the intruduction of the products or services on the selected target markets; e. advisory in the strategy of financing of export projects and export activity; f. advisory on the preparation of the image conception of the entrepreneur on the selected target markets. The condition to be met when applying for co-financing the implementation of the exports growth plan under stage II is to have previously completed a project involving preparation of that Plan under stage I. An enterprise may receive support in preparing and implementing the exports growth plan only once in the 6.1 implementation period.

17 The support can also be granted as the costs refunding of the financial guarantees and running of a bank account or subaccount dedicated to the payment service of the project. Applications under this measure are collected by the Regional Financing Institutions. Allocation EUR 122 million Amount of support for the preparation of the Up to PLN Export Development Plan Intensity of support for the preparation of the Export Development Plan Intensity of support for the implementing the Export Development Plan Additional comments Up to 80% of the eligible expenses on the purchase of advisory services related to the preparation of the Export Development Plan Up to 50% of total eligible expenses, but no more than PLN Financial assistance under Measure 6.1 is de minimis* aid and will be granted in the form of a reimbursement of a part of the expenses which are eligible for the support. * Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1998/2006 of 15 December 2006 on the application of Articles 89 and 88 of the Treaty to de minimis aid (Official Journal of the European Union L 379 of 28 December 2006, page 5). Measure 8.1 Support for economic activity as regards electronic economy The main objective of the measure is the development of electronic services. The beneficiaries may be micro and small enterprises registered in Poland and conducting business for no longer than 12 months. Applications may be submitted for projects which provide e-services or create digital tools used for the provision of e-services under this measure. Support cannot be granted to projects which have the purpose of providing services, hosting services, services related to the registration and maintenance of internet domains and projects which have the purpose of commercially trading products. The entrepreneurs may receive co-financing of the expenses required for project implementation. These can include expenses i.a. on: the purchase of IT, technical and advisory services leading to the production of digital products and products related to the preparation, provision and update of e-services; the purchase of new fixed assets (except real property), as well as intangible assets in the form of patents, licences, know-how and unpatented technical knowledge (especially software required for providing e-services); remuneration of the people directly involved in project implementation; the purchase of training services related directly to the start-up and support of the electronic service for the people involved in project implementation; the rent and use of premises; the electronic and traditional promotion of the solutions implemented; costs of the advisory services. Applications under this measure are collected by the Regional Financing Institutions. Allocation EUR million Level of support Up to 85% of the eligible expenses Minimum project value PLN Maximum project value PLN 1 million Maximum support EUR Maximum duration of the project s support 24 months

18 Measure 8.2 Support for implementation of electronic business B2B The measure 8.2 has the purpose of stimulating the emergence of joint business ventures conducted electronically between companies through the implementation of modern information technologies which have the objective of tightening the co-operation between partners. Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises registered in Poland, which can document co-operation through civil law contracts with at least two other companies, can count on support. The cooperating entrepreneurs must plan business co-operation based on electronic solutions through the implementation and integration of new or currently-used IT systems and the automation of the business processes taking place between them. The co-financing may be granted for a period of no longer than 24 months. An entrepreneur may receive support, for example, to: buy intangible assets in the form of patents, licenses, unpatented technical know-how, especially software necessary to implement B2B modern e-business solutions; buy new fixed assets strictly related to the project execution, except for real estates; repay the initial value installments for new fixed assets and intangible assets under financial lease contract except for sell and lease back; buy initial analyzes, expert services, legal and consulting services involved in the project, especially as concerns business process re-engineering, business reorganization, isolating functions, assigning tasks and creating virtual companies; provide compensation for individuals directly involved in the project execution; take information measures regarding the financial share of European Union budgetary funds in the project in execution; buy specialized training for individuals involved in the supported project execution and necessary to implement a B2B e-business solution. The support can be obtained in the measure 8.2 for projects of an IT and organisational nature, which will lead to the implementation of business processes between at least three enterprises. Support is granted, inter alia, for the purchase of fixed assets, intangible assets in the form of patents and licences, software, advisory and legal services and preparatory analyses. Training can also be financed for employees involved in project implementation, as well as gross salaries, together with non-salary costs of work of the people directly involved in project implementation, through measure 8.2. Applications under this measure are collected by the Regional Financing Institutions. Allocation EUR million Level of support: Investments from 40% to 70% of the eligible expenses (depending on size of the enterprise and the location of the project) Training up to 45% for micro and small enterprises, up to 35% for medium enterprises Salaries and promotion up to 85% Advisory up to 50% Minimum support value PLN Maximum value of support PLN 2 million Maximum duration of the project s 24 months support

19 List of institutions Implementing Authority: Polish Agency for Enterprise Development Pańska street 81/83, Warsaw tel. +48 (22) , fax. +48 (22) , , , Lublin Development Fund Rynek street 7 Lublin tel. +48 (81) ; ; fax. +48 (81) lfr@lfr.lublin.pl Podlaska Regional Development Foundation Starobojarska street 15 Białystok tel. +48 (85) fax. +48 (85) pfrr@pfrr.pl Intermediate Bodies: Ministry of Science and Higher Education European Fund Department (DFE) Wspólna street 1/3 (entrance from Hoża street 20) Warsaw tel. +48 (22) fax. +48 (22) Ministry of Economy European Funds Department Plac Trzech Krzyży 3/5, Warsaw tel. +48 (22) fax. +48 (22) Ministry of Interior and Administration Information Society Department Domaniewska street 36/38, Warsaw tel. +48 (22) fax. +48 (22) di@mswia.gov.pl Managing Authority: Ministry of Regional Development Managing Department for Competitiveness and Innovation Programmes Wspólna street 2/4, Warsaw Regional Financing Institutions : Wrocław Regional Development Agency Krupnicza street 13 (IV floor) Wrocław tel. +48 (71) fax. +48 (71) warr@warr.pl Toruń Regional Development Agency Kopernika street 4 Toruń tel. +48 (56) ; ; ; ; fax. +48 (56) sekretariat@tarr.org.pl Regional Development Agency Chopina street 11/13 Zielona Góra tel. +48 (68) fax. +48 (68) agencja@region.zgora.pl Łódź Regional Development Agency Tuwima street 22/26 Łódź tel. +48 (42) fax. +48 (42) larr@lodz.pl Małopolska Agency for Regional Development Kortylewskiego street 11 Kraków tel. +48 (12) ; fax. +48 (12) biuro@marr.pl The Foundation of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SME Foundation) Smocza street 27 Warsaw tel. +48 (22) ; fax. (0-22) biuro@fund.org.pl Foundation of Silesian Development and Supporting of Local Initiatives Słowackiego street 10 Opole tel. +48 (77) fax (77) frssek@fundacja.opole.pl Rzeszów Regional Development Agency Szopena street 51 Rzeszów tel. +48 (17) fax. +48 (17) crp@rarr.rzeszow.pl Pomerania Development Agency Piwna street 36/39 Gdańsk tel. +48 (58) ; fax. +48 (58) sekretariat@arp.gda.pl Upper Silesian Agency for Regional Development Powstańców street 17 Katowice tel. +48 (32) fax. +48 (32) garr@garr.pl Staropolska Chamber of Industry and Commerce Sienkiewicza street 53 Kielce tel. +48 (41) ; fax. +48 (41) sekretariat@siph.com.pl Warmia Mazury Regional Development Agency Plac Gen. Józefa Bema 3 Olsztyn tel. +48 (89) fax. +48 (89) wmarr@wmarr.olsztyn.pl Wielkopolska Agency for Enterprise Development Piekary street 19 Poznań tel. +48 (61) fax. +48 (61) info@warp.org.pl West Pomeranian Agency for Regional Development Stoisława street 2 Szczecin tel. +48 (91) , fax. +48 (91) , zarzad@zarr.com.pl

20 The Polish Agency For Enterprise Development (PAED) is a governmental agency reporting to the Minister of Economy. It was established under the Act of 9 November The aim of operations implemented by the Agency, which in 2010 celebrates its 10th anniversary, is to lead programmes for economic development supporting innovation and research activities amongst small and mediumsized enterprises, regional development, increase in exports, job creation, human resources development and the use of new technologies. In the financial perspective the Agency is responsible for implementing three Operational Programmes: Innovative Economy, Human Capital and Development of Eastern Poland. PAED carries out numerous projects of its own the aim of which is to promote the development of co-operative links, as well as innovative projects and enterprises and also the implementation of modern technologies by small and medium-sized enterprises. With this end in view the PAED is running the internet portal relating to the innovation issues and is organising the Polish Product of the Future competition on an annual basis. SME s representatives can also participate in the periodic meetings in the framework of the Innovative Enterprises Club. The objective of the educational portal PAED Academy ( is to facilitate access to business knowledge in the form of e-learning among the micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises. PAED launched the internet portal which supports e business development. The Agency is also a partner organisation of the Enterprise Europe Network, which offers information about the European law and conducting economic activity in the Single Market to entrepreneurs. PAED is an initiator of the National SMEs Services Network (KSU), National Innovation Centres (KSI) and the Consultation Centres. These institutions offer the advisory, information, training and financial services free of charge or at preferential rates. The PAED s regional partners in the process of implementation of selected activities are Regional Financing Institutions (RFIs). Polish Agency for Enterprise Development Pańska street 81/83, Warsaw Phone: Fax: , PAED information point Phone: info@parp.gov.pl