1. Peter Harmsma
TNO

2. ACTPHAST
Access CenTer for PHotonics innovAtion Solutions and Technology Support
FP7 framework (Grant Agreement No , FP7-ICT ).
1/11/ years + 6 months extension
Total budget EUR 10M
EU contribution EUR 8M

3. Photonics
“PHOTONICS” is the science and technology that innovates with the unique properties of light

4. PHOTONICS Optical Datacom Photovoltaics LED Lighting
Lasers in Manufacturing
Machine Vision
Medical Optics
Optical Components
Displays
PHOTONICS

6. Promise: Innovation Investments New technologies,
Competitive advantage
New companies
Economic growth
Create jobs

7. Photonics innovation show-stoppers for companies
Human resources and expertise
in-house photonics experts and expertise
are missing
supporting
in-house photonics R&I
is too expensive
identifying external experts
is time-consuming
and inefficient
Technology
in-house cutting-edge
photonics technology
is missing
multiple-stop technology
shopping fails
partial solutions
are often incompatible
investment risk
is too high or
financially irresponsible

8. especially adapted to the needs of SMEs
One-Stop-Shop
for
Supporting European Companies
driven by
their Photonics Innovation Needs
especially adapted to the needs of SMEs
ACTPHAST is an Integrated Project funded by the European Commission
under FP7 Grant Agreement N° FP

9. ACTPHAST Provides a complete solution Expertise in photonics
Feasibility studies
Prototyping
Test and measurement
It is not a money provider
Not to support companies that have the expertise to solve it themselves

10. 23 partners across EU, > 200 experts

11. 7 Technology Platforms VUB VUB KIT free-space optics specialty fibers
polymer-based optics 7
Technology
Platforms
CNRS
LioniX
MOEMS
SiN-SiO PICs
IMEC
TU/e
Si -PICs
InP -PICs

12. Flow (0): outreach team Website, promotion video
Mailings, webinars, company visits, events, …ANYTHING!

13. 200 experts Flow (1): experts team
Each participant must have followed ACTPHAST training session
200 experts

14. Flow (2) SME contacts Central Contact Point (CCP)
CCP applies first filter
Company credibility, expertise
Does it fit the scope of ACTPHAST
Is there a potential business case
EU identity
Potential conflicts of interest …

15. Flow (3)
CCP appoints responsible from Technical Coordination Team (TCT)

16. Flow (4) TCT responsible appoints scout
Not necessarily from his/her own organization
TCT members can also act as scout
Scout visits company / vice versa
Gain in-depth understanding of the request
Technology
Business
Scout and TCT responsible select the best approach, the relevant ACTPHAST partners
A project leader is appointed by the TCT responsible

17. Flow (5) PL writes proposal, jointly with SME
Proposal is reviewed by TCT (meetings 2-monthly)
Accept: start the project
Minor modifications: small and specific adjustments requested, review by CCP only (TCT can object)
Major modifications: resubmit new proposal (only once)
Evaluation criteria
Innovative character
Plan, technical approach, timing, budget
Business case
Company credibility & commitment
Project agreement is signed (formalities, confidentiality, …)

18. Flow (6) Progress reports are submitted every 2 months
After completion of the project
Consensus report: deviations from the plan
Customer satisfaction report: evaluation
CCP periodically contacts the company if the business aspects are according to plan

19. Financially 75% by ACTPHAST (80 kEUR per project max.)
25% by participating ACTPHAST partners
SME: in-kind, no cash
The in-kind contribution must be reasonable given the activities in the project
Medium sized companies receive 50% funding, and must contribute in cash
Up to two projects per SME during ACTPHAST
Budgets for scouts and PLs

20. IP, confidentiallity TCT and CCP members are subject to proxy-NDA
The company can sign this before in-depth discussion
The other ACTPHAST partners are NOT formally under NDA
Taken care of in project agreement
Scouting is usually under bi-lateral NDA
Bi-lateral NDAs during project plan drafting can be in place if needed
In case of conflict of interest, specific TCT members can be excluded from reviewing. IT infrastructure is in place for this.
Upon request of company, also on request of TCT members
Project results not shared, only over-all satisfaction. CCP/TCT have no access to confidential results.

21. 94 projects granted

22. First timers

23. Technologies

24. Location

25. List of supported companies (94)

26. Example of public information per project

27. Follow-up Follow-up project has been submitted
Even more focus on business case, business coaching
Approval very likely