1. 1 25 January 2007 Ms. Simona Marzetti “The Role of Networks to Promote Innovation and Technology Transfer to SMEs” Direction for Innovation and Technology Transfer IPI – Institute for Industrial Promotion

2. 2 Innovation Centres Science Parks BICs Dedicated service centres Agencies by CNR, ENEA, etc. Enterprises Entrepreneurial associations Enterpises supporting bodies Chambers of commerce Research system Universities Public research centres Private research centres Policy Makers European Commission Ministry of Prod. Activities Ministry of Research Techn. Innovation Dept. Regions Other local authorities Funding system Banks Venture Capitalists Business Angels The Italian innovation system Overview

3. 3 The Italian innovation system Innovation demand small enterprises The Italian productive system is characterised mainly by small enterprises with a strong specialisation in low and medium technology sectors, such as: agrofood, textile and clothing, footwear, furniture, mechanics and capital goods. incremental innovation The innovation model followed by the Italian SMEs is mainly based on incremental innovation, such as the acquisition of machines with embedded technology, the style and the use of new materials.

4. 4 The Italian innovation system Supply of services – Innovation Centres The supply of services is often strongly locally characterised, which, while having its advantages, also produces a certain fragmentation of the innovation opportunities. service centres for innovation and technology transfer Alongside the national research and university system, RIDITT has identified 300 service centres for innovation and technology transfer, sponsored by entrepreneurial associations, chambers of commerce and local public authorities. Distribution of Italian innovation centres. Source IPI, 2005.

5. 5 The Italian innovation system Supply of services – Innovation Centres Source IPI, 2005. breakdown of innovation centres by clusters An analysis carried out by IPI on Italian innovation centres shows the considerable diffusion of strucutures such as thematic service centres, science and technology parks, as well as local development agencies and special agencies of the Chambers of commerce. The following table shows the breakdown of innovation centres by clusters.

6. 6 RIDITT - The Italian Network for Innovation and Technology Transfer to Enterprises improving the competitiveness of the Italian productive system RIDITT, the Italian Network for Innovation and Technology Transfer to Enterprises, is an initiative aimed at improving the competitiveness of the Italian productive system by strengthening and integrating the supply of services for innovation. Ministry of Economic Development Launched in 2003, the initiative is promoted by the Italian Ministry of Economic Development and is managed by its Agency, the Institute for Industrial Promotion (IPI).

7. 7 knowledge sharing Promoting knowledge sharing on methods, good practices and resources on innovation and technology transfer marketing of services for innovation Encouraging the marketing of services for innovation and technology transfer to enterprises innovation networks Strengthening the existing innovation networks and encouraging the creation of new ones on an interregional, sectoral and technological basis access to financial resources Facilitating access to financial resources for the creation, extension and development of innovation networks internationalisation Supporting the internationalisation of innovation centres and their associate companies, also through the INSME Association RIDITT Objectives

8. 8 RIDITT Analysis and monitoring analysis and monitoring RIDITT carries out an ongoing analysis and monitoring on: innovation programmes and policies: innovation programmes and policies: a monitoring system has been set up on innovation programmes and calls at local, national and international level innovation and technology transfer centres: innovation and technology transfer centres: RIDITT has identified 300 structures in Italy and performed an in- depth analysis on more than 100 of them key technologies for the competitiveness of the Italian industry: key technologies for the competitiveness of the Italian industry: a study has led to the identification of 126 technologies and 1,400 industrial applications which can play a pivotal role for the development of the Italian productive system

9. 9 The RIDITT information services can be accessed through the internet portal www.riditt.it services and tools available for technology innovation The portal provides innovation centres and SMEs a clear and up to date framework on the offer of services and tools available for technology innovation. The portal is also the gate for foreign players to access the Italian innovation system. Services offered include: - Catalogue of competences - Technologies - Financial resources - News & events Monthly visitors: over 4,500 Monthly page views: 20,000 Monthly newsletter: over 6,000 RIDITT Information services

10. 10 RIDITT Training 300 professionals RIDITT carries out training courses in order to improve the skills of innovation centres. During 2004 – 2005 the courses were attended by 300 professionals in representation of about 150 research and innovation centers, entrepreneurial associations and enterprises. The themes addressed are: Marketing of innovation and technology transfer services to SMEs Marketing of innovation and technology transfer services to SMEs Funding of innovation projects (public grants, venture capital, etc.) Funding of innovation projects (public grants, venture capital, etc.) Commercialisation of research results (patents, licensing and spin-off) Commercialisation of research results (patents, licensing and spin-off) Setting up of technology transfer projects Setting up of technology transfer projects.

11. 11 RIDITT Management of technology transfer programmes pilot programmes IPI manages pilot programmes, promoted by the Ministry of Productive Activities, with the aims to foster technology transfer from research centres to SMEs (R3TI), as well as to set up high tech incubators (Incubator programme). diffusion of key technologies The R3TI programme supports four projects for the promotion and diffusion of key technologies in four major areas: industrial automation and sensors; biotechnologies; advanced materials; separation technologies. incubator The Incubator programme, carried out in 2004 and 2005, has led to the setting up of an incubator specialised in the biotech sector. The incubator has been inaugurated in Pula (Sardinia) on June 2005.

12. 12 Industrial Automation and Sensors “Automation technologies for food production quality and safety” University of Naples “Federico II” University of Sannio; University of Salerno; Confapi Campania; Consorzio Technapoli, Science and Technology Park of Salerno, Istituto Tagliacarne Biotechnologies “AGRIBIT - Transfer of biotechnological innovations to the Apulian agri-food system” CNR – ISPA, Bari University of Bari CNA Puglia Advanced Materials “S.I.S.T.E.M.A. – Innovation and development of advance material technologies for the instrumental goods and aerospace sectors.” University of Rome “Tor Vergata” University of Rome “La Sapienza”; ISRIM; Confindustria Lazio; AIAD; TecnoPolo Separation Technologies “Membrane separation techniques for the production of tomato and fruit derivates” SSICA Angri – Industrial Experimental Station for Food Preservation Italian National Association for Food Preservation Chambers of Commerce of Salerno RIDITT – R3TI The 4 technology transfer projects

13. 13 ITALIAN NETWORK FOR INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER TO SMES Tel. 06.80972.290 / 454 fax 06.80972.578 e-mail: info@riditt.it – marzetti@ipi.it www.riditt.it - www.ipi.it IPI – Institute for Industrial Promotion

14. 14 International Network for SMEs

15. 15 An indipendent legal entity since early 2004: A non for profit Association according to Italian Law to be regarded as a NGO at international level INSME is a: -CATALYSER of multiple actions -FACILITATOR for multilateral dialogue and cross-border cooperation -“TRAIT D’UNION” among different stakeholders -PARTNER/LEADER for joint international projects -MULTIPLIER of opportunities -BROKER for Members to foster public-private innovation partnerships INSME strategy for making innovation happen in SMEs based on: -Mutual learning approach -Knowledge/problems sharing -International networking and partnering -Benchmarking INSME in short

16. 16  An international Forum for an open, regular political dialogue on SME innovation related issues involving major national and international players: - GOVERNMENTS - INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS - INTERNATIONAL FINANCING INSTITUTIONS  A new actor and incubator for operational activities to be carried out with INSME Members and in cooperation with Partners at local and international level according to sectors and geographic areas of interest INSME’s 2 Dimensions

17. 17  An initiative financed/promoted by the European Commission and solely centered on Europe Its only a Sustaining Member is the Italian Government through IPI  A financing institution to provide support for poverty alleviation and cooperation for development worldwide  A one-stop-shop for directly providing individual SMEs with free services and information in all regions and all sectors  Targeting all topics related to SMEs It is focussed on: innovation and technology transfer Its only Sustaining Member is the Italian Government through IPI It is focussed on: - innovation and technology transfer issues - the role of intermediary organisations and their networks INSME is NOT:

18. 18 As of January 2007 Geographical representation of INSME Members INSME has 82 Members from 34 countries of 5 continents

19. 19 Both Policy Makers and Innovation players are involved INSME Public & Private representation As of January 2007 2004 2007

20. 20 INFORMATION TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TRAINING MATCHMAKING PROMOTION AND MARKETING RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS TUTORING INSME Activities

21. 21 8 International Organisations are Members of the INSME Association: - African Development Bank Group - CEI - COMSATS - OSCE - RITLA - UNCTAD - UNESCO - WIPO The INSME Association was also granted the OECD’s moral sponsorship and consultative status by UNIDO’s Industrial Development Board. INSME Members - International Organisations

22. 22 2006 INSME Training Programmes 2 nd WIPO-INSME International Training on “The Role of Intellectual Property in Raising Financing Opportunities for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises” WIPO, Geneva, Switzerland, 11 – 12 July, 2006 (Participation for free) INSME - UNIDO International Training on “Business Start-up and Access to Finance for SMEs and new Technology-Based Firms” IPI, Rome, Italy, 30 November – 1 December, 2006 ( Participation for free )

23. 23 “Making Innovation Happen” INSME Secretariat Tel: +39 06 80972448 Fax: +39 06 80972443 secretariat@insme.itsecretariat@insme.it www.insme.orgwww.insme.org