1. RIS NÖ Philipp Nussböck Zilina, 24.01.2006

2. Niederösterreich – some geographical & structural data Largest province of Austria 1.55 mill. Inhabitants Area of 19.174 square km Approx. 4,5% unemployment rate Very heterogeneous economic structure

3. Starting point and objectives of the Regional Innovation Project  The ministry of economics of Lower Austria initiated the Project RIS NÖ – Regional Innovation Strategy Lower Austria  By submitting a proposal to the European Commission in December 1995  With the following project objectives:  Better coordination of the existing innovation supporting activities  Better collaboration of the regional actors  Stronger need orientation of the public services But only a vague idea of how to start and run such a project....

4. How to build a regional consensus on regional innovation policy ? Do the actors talk to each other ? Do the actors know each other ? ? Do the actors coordinate their activities ?....when there is no appropriate platform?

5. Involve the relevant actors in the steering committee from beginning

6. RIS NÖ – a step by step approach stage 1 regular meetings of the steering committee stage 0 stage 2 Need analysis Offer analysis Network analysis SWOT and Synthesis Coordination Detailed elabora- tion of the work program Definition of measures and prior pilot actions Implemen- tation of prior pilot actions by regional actors Presentation & discussion of analyses results; consensus building RIS NÖ – Regional Innovation Strategy Lower Austria 03/9705/9703/9802/99

7. SME´s need bundles for innovation support

8. Reinforce the innovation awareness: convince with facts ! SMEs Need for Innovation Support and Use of Support Gaps between need and offer

9. RIS NÖ pilot actions: selection and impact on the strategy Definition of measures on basis of the findings of the analysis stage Proposal of pilot actions by members of the Steering Committee and discussion of single pilot actions for identified measures Definition of pilot projects and the teams Project lead is actor and also member of Steering Committee Project partners are actors and members of the Steering committee Accompanied by Project team Implementation of pilot actions As part of the RIS NÖ project Presentation of project status at the meetings of the Steering Committee Total duration: approx. 4 to 6 months Validation of the pilot actions Amendment of the former identified measures Elaboration of the Regional Innovation Strategy

10. Involvement of regional companies  Don’t bother the regional SMEs with political discussions and consensus building -Reduce efforts for SMEs during analyses to a minimum -Give involved SMEs a quick feedback (even during analysis phase) and explain possible benefits for the companies -Strong involvement during implementation of pilot actions  Find „process promoters“ – companies that -develop own initiatives or -want to be involved in the pilot actions

11. The REGIONAL INNOVATION SYSTEM consists of several modules aiming to foster the economic success of the regional firms and thus to increase the quantity and quality of work Governments Business Organisations Sources of Capital Intermediaries Educational Organisations Science and Technology Infrastructure Labour Organisations Business Enterprises and Groups The REGIONAL INNOVATION PROFILE is the „face“ of the Regional Innovation System From the Regional Innovation Strategy to the Regional Innovation System ?

12. The process from the strategy towards the Regional Innovation System NÖ For more information see www.ris-noe.at

13. The process from the strategy towards the Regional Innovation System NÖ 1997 2004 1999 Development of the RIS NÖ Strategy Implementation of the RIS NÖ Strategy Development of the holistic Regional Innovation System 2006 Vision: Establishment of NÖ as „Top 10“ innovation region in Europe Innovation Technology cooperation Internationalisation Mobilise Start up´s RIS NÖ – Regional Innovation Strategy Lower Austria Objective 2-Programme Innovative Actions NÖ as Top 10 Innovation- System RIS+ PEP Trans-Regional Innovation Project IRE Thematic Networks STRINNOP, CROBOBUCO ++ NÖ Foresight NÖ Innovation Profile 2001 Vienna Region Funding scheme “Opening up new markets” INTERREG

14. The Regional Innovation Strategy of Niederösterreich with 5 corner pillars Internationalisation Positioning NÖ as the turntable and central platform for Central Europe Innovation Establishment of a regional innovation supporting network Technology Development of a technology image for NÖ Cooperation Creation of a cooperation culture Start up´s mobilisation of new business

15. Implementation of the RIS Strategy: Innovation Internationalisation Positioning NÖ as the turntable and central platform for Central Europe Innovation Establishment of a regional innovation supporting network Technology Development of a technology image for NÖ Cooperation Creation of a cooperation culture Start up´s mobilisation of new business

16. Implementation of the RIS Strategy: Innovation Innovation Establishment of a regional innovation supporting network Further development of the TIP (Technology and Innovations Partners) approach INFINOE www.INFINOE.atwww.INFINOE.at Innovation-Check NÖ Innovation Agency: patenting support activities like Technology screening, information days on patenting/licensing Innovation Circles Innovation assistant Experts Dialogue

17. 0,0% 10,0% 20,0% 30,0% 40,0% 50,0% 60,0% 70,0% 80,0% Weniger als 2% 2-10%Mehr als 10% Weniger als 2% 2-10%Mehr als 10% Weniger als 2% 2-10%Mehr als 10% InnovativMittelNicht innovativ RIS++ survey: Growth rate 2000 – 2002 - innovativ

18. Ex-post evaluation: job creation Sample of 70 cases

19. Ex-post evaluation: impacts Sample of 70 cases

20. Implementation of the RIS Strategy: Cooperation Internationalisation Positioning NÖ as the turntable and central platform for Central Europe Innovation Establishment of a regional innovation supporting network Technology Development of a technology image for NÖ Start up´s mobilisation of new business Cooperation Creation of a cooperation culture

21. Implementation of the RIS Strategy: Cooperation cooperation platform “Kooperationsplattform” (www.kooperationen.net) 5 Cluster initiatives: Wood Cluster Niederösterreich, Automotive Cluster Vienna Region, Wellbeing Cluster Niederösterreich, Green Building Cluster Niederösterreich, Plastics-Cluster Niederösterreich IT Pilot-Projects for B-to-B Solutions Strategic User Value Orientation Cooperation Creation of a cooperation culture

22. Implementation of the RIS Strategy: Technology Internationalisation Positioning NÖ as the turntable and central platform for Central Europe Innovation Establishment of a regional innovation supporting network Start up´s mobilisation of new business Cooperation Creation of a cooperation culture Technology Development of a technology image for NÖ

23. Implementation of the RIS Strategy: Technology 3 Technopoles at the locations of Krems, Tulln and Wiener Neustadt in the future-oriented technology areas bio technology (red, green and grey), nano and surface technology as well as medical technology 2 Competence centres K+ ECHEM and K+ WOOD Competence network Knet Biomasse (biomass) Patent exploitation Technology Development of a technology image for NÖ

24. Implementation of the RIS Strategy: Start-up’s Internationalisation Positioning NÖ as the turntable and central platform for Central Europe Innovation Establishment of a regional innovation supporting network Technology Development of a technology image for NÖ Cooperation Creation of a cooperation culture Start up´s mobilisation of new business

25. Implementation of the RIS Strategy: Start up’s Genius initiative with GENIUS idea competition, GENIUS Technology Scout and internet portal www.GENIUS.or.at Pre-Seed Acceleration for Technology Based Firms Seed funds A+B Centre “Akzent” Start up´s mobilisation of new business Vienna Region

26. Implementation of the RIS Strategy: Internationalisation Innovation Establishment of a regional innovation supporting network Technology Development of a technology image for NÖ Start up´s mobilisation of new business Cooperation Creation of a cooperation culture Internationalisation Positioning NÖ as the turntable and central platform for Central Europe

27. Implementation of the RIS Strategy: Internationalisation Funding program „Markterschließung“ (opening up new markets) Launch of the brand „Vienna Region“ Innovation Assistant Internationalisation Internationalisation Positioning NÖ as the turntable and central platform for Central Europe

28. Innovation – the key to internationalisation? Export rate The more innovative companies in Lower Austria, the higher the export rate of Lower Austria % of companies

29. Sources for implementation  Regional programmes (largest part)  National programmes (smallest amount)  ERDF  Objective2 2000 to 2006  Objective2new 2007 to 2013

30. Monitoring and evaluation of the continuous improvement process of Regional Innovation System Lower Austria RIS NÖ questionnaire 1997 RIS++ NÖ questionnaire 2002/2003 as follow-up Increased transparency of offered innovation supporting services Increased awareness for importance of external support Increased use of offered services Increased satisfaction with services Increased importance of Next questionnaire planned for 2007 within IMPACTSCAN / ARISE RIS NÖ Steering committee

31. RIS NÖ Process monitoring 1997  2002 (1): Increased transparency of innovation supporting services

32. RIS NÖ Process monitoring 1997  2002 (2): Increased use of offered services

33. Thank you for your attention! Ms Irma Priedl Amt der Niederösterreichischen Landesregierung Haus 14, Landhausplatz 1 / Haus 14 3109 St. Pölten Austria Tel.: +43(2742)9005-16123 Fax: +43(2742)9005-16240 irma.priedl@noel.gv.at