- Assotec s.c.a.r.l. via Pantano Milano Tel Fax Matching SMEs Technological Needs Casimir Workshop Strengthening the Academia – Industry Ties Silvana Rimoldi

- Assotec s.c.a.r.l. via Pantano Milano Tel Fax Established in 1998 by three institutional partners who joined to meet the SMEs demand for innovation. Assotec provides scientific information and on-the-field technical advice, analysing and matching SMEs technological needs with scientific suppliers and research funds.

- Assotec s.c.a.r.l. via Pantano Milano Tel Fax More than 95% of firms are SMEs (85% with less than 50 employees) More than 95% of firms are SMEs (85% with less than 50 employees) Overwhelming majority of than are in traditional low- tech sectors, suffering from globalization and developing countries competitors Overwhelming majority of than are in traditional low- tech sectors, suffering from globalization and developing countries competitors Technology is the key to compete and win on international market Technology is the key to compete and win on international market INDUSTRY IN ITALY

- Assotec s.c.a.r.l. via Pantano Milano Tel Fax To solve very specific and strictly applied technical problems To solve very specific and strictly applied technical problems Ex: how to realize a rubber belt with a surface able to change its tack in short time and in a short range of temperature SMEs TECHNOLOGICAL NEEDS

- Assotec s.c.a.r.l. via Pantano Milano Tel Fax To increase technological culture of employees, through continuous and stronger exchange (persons, ideas) with research labs To increase technological culture of employees, through continuous and stronger exchange (persons, ideas) with research labs SMEs TECHNOLOGICAL NEEDS

- Assotec s.c.a.r.l. via Pantano Milano Tel Fax To acquire a new approach to innovation, no more following day–by–day costumer demands, but being proactive by the means of structured research activities based on To acquire a new approach to innovation, no more following day–by–day costumer demands, but being proactive by the means of structured research activities based on State-of-the-art State-of-the-art Close collaboration with the Academia Close collaboration with the Academia SMEs TECHNOLOGICAL NEEDS

- Assotec s.c.a.r.l. via Pantano Milano Tel Fax State-of-the-art and technological benchmarking On-demand provision of technical and scientific information Analysis of technical literature and patentsAnalysis of technical literature and patents Involvement of industrial and scientific experts to set up an operative plan for innovationInvolvement of industrial and scientific experts to set up an operative plan for innovation Stressing the concept that this is the right way to verify novelty of ideas and appropriately drive R&D activityStressing the concept that this is the right way to verify novelty of ideas and appropriately drive R&D activity HOW ASSOTEC ANSWERS TO SMEs NEEDS

- Assotec s.c.a.r.l. via Pantano Milano Tel Fax Facts and FiguresFacts and Figures –~ 50 “State-of-the-art” in the last 3 years. –Main sectors: Mechanics, Textile, Chemistry, Electronics.Mechanics, Textile, Chemistry, Electronics. –But also: Food, Logistics, Environment,...Food, Logistics, Environment,... Customer Satisfaction:Customer Satisfaction: –65 % of the SMEs have launched a related R&D project (or will, within one year). –27 % of the SMEs retained interest about the information released and are waiting for better market conditions to implement Assotec proposals. HOW ASSOTEC ANSWERS TO SMEs NEEDS

- Assotec s.c.a.r.l. via Pantano Milano Tel Fax Selected experts present new technologies to an audience of SMEs, paying strong attention to possible application on industrial production and business areas.Selected experts present new technologies to an audience of SMEs, paying strong attention to possible application on industrial production and business areas. –32 events –more than participants One-day technical meeting and technological training courses HOW ASSOTEC ANSWERS TO SMEs NEEDS

- Assotec s.c.a.r.l. via Pantano Milano Tel Fax Spreading innovation towards emerging technologies: monographs on Industrial Research and Innovation Prepared for Assotec by industrial and scientific experts.Prepared for Assotec by industrial and scientific experts. –Focused on industrial applications of new technologies, specifically addressed to R&D operators. Some titles:Some titles: –Introduction to nano-technologies. –Plasma treatment of textiles. –Polymers for electro-optical applications. –Industrial applications of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance analysis of solid materials. HOW ASSOTEC ANSWERS TO SMEs NEEDS

- Assotec s.c.a.r.l. via Pantano Milano Tel Fax With a strong networking with universities, public and private research labs, national and local authorities.With a strong networking with universities, public and private research labs, national and local authorities. It’s a way to sum up strengths, avoiding to waste economical and human resources. HOW ASSOTEC ANSWERS TO SMEs NEEDS

- Assotec s.c.a.r.l. via Pantano Milano Tel Fax A WAY TO INNOVATION FOR SMEs Main results mid 2003:Main results mid 2003: –460 consulting activities. –376 financing applications. –2148 companies as customers. –326 technological audit. –800 contacts to our web site monthly. Financing (1998 – mid 2003):Financing (1998 – mid 2003): –122 million Euros total innovation investment of the projects fostered by Assotec. –44 million Euros public financing request. –100% successful applications.

- Assotec s.c.a.r.l. via Pantano Milano Tel Fax Promoting its ability to respond quickly and appropriately to these needs, perhaps trough services specifically committed to this end.Promoting its ability to respond quickly and appropriately to these needs, perhaps trough services specifically committed to this end. Attention to cost, schedule, only “one director for the orchestra” HOW CAN ACADEMIA BE MORE CLOSE TO SMEs NEEDS

- Assotec s.c.a.r.l. via Pantano Milano Tel Fax Increasing patents exploitation and the economical benchmarking of research resultsIncreasing patents exploitation and the economical benchmarking of research results Establishing clear procedures for coordination of scientists and for critical massEstablishing clear procedures for coordination of scientists and for critical mass HOW CAN ACADEMIA BE MORE CLOSE TO SMEs NEEDS

- Assotec s.c.a.r.l. via Pantano Milano Tel Fax Focusing applied research on technical sectors where Italian SMEs have a significant role on international marketsFocusing applied research on technical sectors where Italian SMEs have a significant role on international markets HOW CAN ACADEMIA BE MORE CLOSE TO SMEs NEEDS