Enterprise Europe Network - Hellas The largest network of integrated business support in Greece Member of the Enterprise Europe Network

Why do SMEs need a new network?  23 million SMEs in Europe = 99% of businesses  58% contribution to EU GP  75 million jobs created by SMEs Small and medium enterprises  great importance  Need for active and full scale support through regional business gateway  Need for exploring new business and technological opportunities  Need for contribution to the formation & improvement of EU SME-policies Small and medium enterprises  need for substantial support  Development of a network - mechanism to achieve Lisbon’s goals of strengthening entrepreneurship and helping SMEs to find the most effective solutions for their problems

 550 local contact points in 44 countries (EU 27, candidate countries, European Economic Area countries, other third countries), experienced staff  18 teams of experts in different industry sectors from intelligent energy to nanotechnology  Duration : 1/1/ /12/2013  320 million € community contribution, more than 700 million € total budget  technology and business cooperation agreements are expected to be carried out between Enterprise Europe Network : Europe’s commitment to SMEs

 Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Program: CIP  Contribution to Lisbon ’ s Strategy for Growth and Jobs  By supporting the improvement of the business environment  By enhancing competitiveness of European SMEs Modus Operandi

The Power of Experience The largest network of integrated business support based on the experience of the former Euro Info Centers (EICs) and Innovation Relay Centers (IRCs) Improved access and proximity for the SMEs: “one stop shop - no wrong door ” principles New organizations

Qualitative goals  Promotion of the innovation and entrepreneurship to European SMEs  Support for international business and export activity  Support for international development of technology and knowledge  Encouragement of SMEs to participate in the 7 th Framework Program  Establishment of the network on a local, national and international level  Promotion of SMEs access to the formation of European policies 3 Policy Priorities: The Small Business Act (SBA) for Europe The Broad-based innovation strategy for the EU The sustainable industry policy

Enterprise Europe Network - Hellas

Profile  Enterprise Europe Network – Hellas  Enterprise Europe Network – Hellas is the largest network of integrated business support in Greece since it comprises 16 industrial associations, research and technology organisations, chambers of commerce and industry, governmental SME Agencies and established Innovation players with long experience of cooperation at national level and distinguished performance in both the Innovation Relay Centre (IRC) and the Euro Info Centre (EIC) networks, at European level.  Enterprise Europe Network - Hellas  Enterprise Europe Network - Hellas provides international business cooperation services, information on European policies, innovation and technology transfer services as well as services for encouraging SMEs’ participation to the European programs for Research and Technology.

Mission Boost competitiveness in Greek enterprises (especially SMEs) Support the development of the less-favored regions of the country Promote and facilitate innovation in enterprises as well as entrepreneurship in RTOs Strengthen the links between research, business, finance Foster economic and environmentally sustainable growth and employment Enhance European interaction in business, technological, economic & political terms.

Partners of the Enterprise Europe Network - Hellas  National Documentation Centre  Association of Industries in Thessaly and in Central Greece  Athens Chamber of Small and Medium Sized Industries  Ceramics and Refractories Technological Development Company S.A.  Chamber of Arcadia  Chamber of Ioannina  Chamber of Kavala  Clothing Textile & Fibre Technology Development Company S.A.  SEV Hellenic Federation of Enterprises  Federation of Industries of Northern Greece  Food Industrial Research and Technological Development Company S.A.  PRAXI/HELP-FORWARD Network, Foundation for Research & Technology – Hellas  Hellenic Organisation of Small & Medium Sized Enterprises and Handicraft  Heraklion Chamber of Commerce and Industry  Metallurgical Industrial Research and Technology Development Centre S.A.  Regional Development Agency of West Macedonia S.A.

Partners of the Enterprise Europe Network - Hellas CHAMBER OF IOANNINA

Wide range of expertise  5 chambers of commerce and industry  4 research and technological growth companies  3 industrial/ business associations  2 research and technology organizations  1 development company  1 governmental SME Agency

Highly trained & experienced staff

Services 1.Information, feedback and international business cooperation services 2.Innovation, Technology and knowledge transfer services 3.Encouraging SME participation to the FP RTD programme

1. Information, feedback & international business cooperation services Awareness and Information services to local business on EU affairs as well as proactive promotion of EU Programmes, Initiatives and financial instruments International business cooperation services to clients (matchmaking) Services to the Commission for legislation and policy testing through SME feedback, impact studies and interaction with local business

2. Innovation & Technology Transfer Awareness and information on innovation and transnational technology transfer legislation and programmes Dissemination and exploitation of research results Technology Transfer Brokerage services Innovation stimulation to SMEs Linkage to other Innovation services (finance, IPR, innovation management)

3. Encouraging SME participation to the 7 th Framework Program FP RTD programmes information and awareness services Assistance in RTD proposal preparation and coordination Detection of needs and goals of SMEs in RTD issues and search for companies for participation in research proposals

An ideal example of integrated support Information Consultation Preparation of enterprises to adapt: equipment, procedures, customers, suppliers, Research and Development Investment, business cooperation, patents, internationalization Technology audit, market research. Search for available technology. Partner search, funding programs Support in signing agreement. Aid with funding programs, partner search. Linking with other services. New EU legislation on environmental protection

Tools - Activities  European electronic databases  EU Legislation monitoring  Publication of studies and reports  Organization of groups to test new legislation  Information campaigns, meetings, electronic and printed newsletters  Company visits  Technological knowledge  Organization of and participation in seminars  Organization of and participation in international events  Personalised service benefits, helpdesk  Organization of incoming and outgoing business missions  Support of clusters

Good practice: Continuous information for the news categories: User – based information: the user can define his profile and the categories, which he wants to receive information about Automated alert to the members, as soon as an announcement is launched on the web site User support system. Question – Answer mechanism through the web site (mail function) Information through RSS Feed Search through pre-defined key words Simple structure – Easy to find the information over the Home Page User – based information: the user can define his profile and the categories, which he wants to receive information about Automated alert to the members, as soon as an announcement is launched on the web site User support system. Question – Answer mechanism through the web site (mail function) Information through RSS Feed Search through pre-defined key words Simple structure – Easy to find the information over the Home Page Aim to provide valid and immediate information to online visitors & users

 A Swedish company searches for low cost cameras for an underwater robot  The Greek IRC promotes the underwater camera of a Greek SME, a company that designs and builds underwater systems  The Swedish company visits Greece  The Greek company tailors the camera to the needs of the Swedish company  A technical cooperation agreement is signed  As a result, the Swedish robot functions with built-in Greek technology Success story: Greek eyes on Swedish robot system

Success story: Greek nanotechnology at the service of Swedish industry  HTC Sweden AB specializes in the production of industrialized grinding machines and needs to improve the wear resistance, heat dissipation and mechanical performance of the resin based products used in their grinding & polishing tools.  HTC Sweden AB addresses ACREO, partner of the Enterprise Europe Network of Sweden, for assistance.  PRAXI / HELP-FORWARD Network, member of the Enterprise Europe Network – Hellas, is aware that the Greek company Nanothinx SA, specializes in the production, research and applications of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), which are characterized by exceptional mechanical & thermal properties. Nanothinx can produce high purity CNTs at lower cost and they can also provide services for the incorporation of the produced CNTs into the required media.  With the mediation of the Enterprise Europe Network partners the two companies meet in a Technology Brokerage event in Frankfurt during the “Nanosolutions Exhibition”. Soon after, a first technical co-operation is achieved with a special funding from ACREO.  A second phase of technical collaboration is launched under EUROSTARS as a funding scheme.

Business support at your doorstep

One team of experts all over Greece provides access to: Prompt and accurate information Great number of potential business partners All European funding opportunities Innovative technologies