Support action for innovation mainstreaming within the Enlarged Europe Strand III projects INNOVATION COACH First visit to the Region. December 2005

Strand III Objectives To enhance the implementation of the RIS-NAC action plans and to help the regions to convert them into sustainable regional policies. To create a mechanism which gives the regions smooth access to good practice in the field of innovation policies, support schemes and strategies. To allow the mobilisation of the best European expertise for the design of selected innovation support measures in the RIS-NAC regions.

Our mission Work side-by-side with RIS Regions to optimize the implementation (acceleration and higher performances) of their innovation action plans by exploiting EU added value (mutual learning and cooperation in innovation policy)

Innovation Coach: Who we are? EXPERTISE SCOPE AND MISSION ROLE META Group KNOWLEDGE BASED EXPERIENCE OF THE INNOVATION PROCESS FROM POLICIES TO ACTION AND A SPECIAL FOCUS ON INNOVATION FINANCE ADVISING AND COUNSELLING FOR INNOVATION AND ENTREPENEURSHIP PROMOTION TO PUBLIC BODIES, UNIVERSITIES, SMES Coordinator TII EU ASSOCIATION WITH WIDE EXPERTISE IN THE FIELD OF TT AND RESEARCH/MARKET RELATIONSHIP NETWORKING AND CAPACITY BUILDING DEALING WITH INNOVATION SUPPORT, TT, RESEARCH-MARKET RELATIONSHIPS Contractor EURADA EU ASSOCIATION OF RDAS WITH WIDE EXPERTISE ON LINKING INNOVATION TO REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND STRUCTURAL FUNDS NETWORKING AND CAPACITY BUILDING FOR REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (CLUSTERING, INWARD INVESTMENT, DEDICATED FINANCE, ETC)

Innovation Coach Counselling schemes ONE-TO-ONE SUPPORT PACKAGES BASED ON THE FOLLOWING MIX: International expert specialist advice High profiled advisors working with the regions to design and deliver high-performing innovation mechanisms/tools Capacity building schemes Training local teams thus ensuring the skills needed to run the support mechanisms/tools created. Mentoring regional actors for policy design and delivery Absorption enhancement sessions Awareness raising and consensus building activities to enhance the “readiness of the region” towards the new mechanisms created

Experts’ selection & Contract signing Counselling schemes Experts’ selection & Contract signing CONTACT / VISIT NEEDS / FEEDBACK Regions MoU Org. 1 Org. 2 Org. n MoU’s Pool of Experts Selection & Contracts Strand III projects

Focus area: INNOVATION FINANCE Examples of funding mechanisms/schemes to be worked out with Innovation Coach support: Investors networks (Business Angels, Venture Capitalists) Pre-seed facilities (voucher/grant) Seed Funds (equity and quasi-equity) Start up Funds Guarantee funds Micro-finance Convertible loans Scholarship and Grants

Feasibility for a Seed Fund INNOVATION FINANCE Case Study: Feasibility for a Seed Fund Main Actions to be performed by the international consultant Pre-feasibility activities: support in fund raising Analysis of the technological and innovation context Identification of the most promising sectors (in terms of spin-off and spin-out creation) Identification of potential fields of intervention for innovative financial tools Setting up of a business plans evaluation system for assessing investment risks Benchmarking exercise with existing good practises

Feasibility for a Seed Fund INNOVATION FINANCE Case Study: Feasibility for a Seed Fund Outputs Identification of potential private and public investors Identification of formal requirements to involve investors Definition of Communication Strategy for the launch of the initiative Road show support Tutoring and mentoring activities Implementation Road map

Thanks for your attention Andrea Di Anselmo www.innovationcoach.net