1 Lithuanian Innovation Centre: Providing innovation support services Dr Kastytis Gečas Lithuanian Innovation Centre...innovation does not wait

2 Average country trend by Summary Innovation Index Source: European Innovation Scoreboard’ 2004

3 Obstacles to innovation Source: Statistics Lithuania

4 Partners in innovation Source: Statistics Lithuania

5 Needs for specialised innovation support services, % of companies Source: Survey, Lithuanian Innovation Centre,

6 Lithuanian Innovation Centre Non-profit organisation as from 1996 Shareholders – Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Education and Science, Lithuanian Industrialists’ Confederation United Nations Development Programme (exited in 2003) MISSION – to support innovation in business in Lithuania TYPE OF ACTIVITIES - innovation support services (for companies and R&D laboratories) – Transnational technology transfer – Advisory on innovation projects and facilitating access to public innovation financing (PHARE, Structural Funds) – Innovation capacity building – Information support on EU FP6 programs – Expertise and advisory for public authorities on innovation policy (implementation)

7 Lithuanian Inovation Centre. Highlights MODUS OPERANDI – Long-term operational projects (20 in the past, 15 currently) – Sponsoring programs - FP6, PHARE, INTERREG, national (Ministry of Economy) – Networking – Lithuania Ministry of Economy (delegated functions) and other public administrations Business support infrastructure Business associations, chambers of commerce Universities and R&D institutions – Networking – abroad EU members, neighboring countries - more than 40 partners (so far 300 partners) Organisation – Main office in Vilnius and five representative offices across Lithuania – Staff – 20, – Number of clientele – (companies & R&D labs recorded in CRM system) – Annual turnover – 400,000 EUR – 9th place among consulting companies – 15 projects are implemented + 4 negotiated KEY PROJECTS – Innovation Relay Centre-Lithuania – Innovation Support Network

8 Lithuanian Innovation Centre Innovation advise Kaunas Klaipėda Šiauliai Panevėžys Alytus Advise for companies on innovation (ERDF grant schemes, partners, project design, implementation) Regional innovation support network 650+ registered clients 16 project partners in Lithuania Regional Innovation Policy RIS-Lithuania-Innpulse ARISE Innovation promotion Innovation Networking Services Packages in S&T Parks Innovation Capacity in Business Associations Innovation Monitor Innovation Prize Raising awareness Innovation portal Technology transfer – IRC Lithuania IRC Lithuania Information on FP6 – Getin, IDC, Boosting Baltic Interreg 3B, crossborder International networking and FP registered clients 40 project partners in EU 10 project partners in EU and LT

9 Transnational Technology Transfer. Services Transnational Technology Partnership Building Innovation Relay Centre - Lithuania – Assistance in Outward Technology Transfer - Technology ”Export” – Assistance in Inward Technology Transfer - Technology ”Import” – Technology information, company technology missions, brokerage/technology transfer days,... Focus – High-tech (IT, Biotech, …) and “traditional” (Textile, Machinery, Agro, Wood, …) Supported by the Ministry of Economy

10 Added Value  Companies – access to innovation financing  To provide information and advisory services on Grant Schemes  To stimulate project ideas  To support the transfer of project ideas into projects  To provide training to companies  Infrastructure  To provide know how and to moderate innovative networks  To support the development of strategies for special business fields  To create a constantly working net of institutional innovation support  To promote innovation awareness LIC Innovation Support Team Network Co- ordination + Help Desk Regional Innovation Unit 4 Regional Innovation Unit 5 Regional Innovation Unit 3 Regional Innovation Unit 2 Regional Innovation Unit 1 Lithuania-wide Innovation Support Network

11 Customer Satisfaction Survey (2004)

12...innovation does not wait Unknown on Internet Thank you for your attention Kastytis Gečas, Lithuanian Innovation Centre: Innovation portal: