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Issue N
37
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October 2006
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Dear INSMEnews Readers,
We do our best at the INSME Secretariat to provide you each month with a selection of the latest, most relevant events, projects and actions related to SME innovation and technology transfer, taking place worldwide, so that you are kept up to date and can benefit from the right information at the right time.
This month we would like to bring your attention to some important initiatives supported by the European Commission that can bring opportunities to many of you, in different geographical areas.
First of all, two new European funding programmes are about to start allocating resources for the period 2007-2013: With respect to these programmes and to the new priorities on innovation set by the European Commission, we would like to pinpoint the main issues of major relevance to INSME's Members and Partners and their activities: INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION Cooperation between EU Member States and Third Countries in innovation projects will be promoted and reinvigorated under FP7.
ACCESS TO FINANCE FOR SMEs Creating and expanding providers of risk capital for start-ups and innovative enterprises will be a priority in the new programmes (see also European Investment Fund's JEREMIE initiative). IPRs PROTECTION IPR is recognised to be more than a legal matter, it is a crucial element in the exploitation of research results. What about INSME's role in this on-going process? As part of its mission, the INSME Association will act as an observatory on EU initiatives in these 3 areas and will keep INSME Members and stakeholders informed about future developments and concrete actions. In this regard, we suggest you not to miss the discussion on the innovation 2007-2013 policy agenda for Europe which will take place late next month on the occasion of the Europe INNOVA Conference on "Re-innovating Europe. Challenges for industrial clusters and innovative businesses" (Valencia, Spain, 26-28 November).
Last, but not least, the INSME Community now includes more organisations: UNICORN from Poland and Global Service from Italy, that take us to 82 Members, from 34 countries. A big welcome to these new Members!
Stay tuned to INSMEnews for coverage. Knowledge is power!
Ms. Simona Marzetti INSME Secretary General |
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top of the page
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INSME Activities |
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INSME-UNIDO Training Programme: FREE for all participants! |
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The INSME Secretariat is pleased to announce that attendance in the upcoming INSME-UNIDO Training Programme is FREE OF CHARGE FOR ANY PARTICIPANT (whether INSME Member or not). List of the trainers: � http://www.insme.org/
Information on the training venue, how to get there and where to stay: � http://www.insme.org/
Contact the INSME Secretariat for inquiries: secretariat@insme.it |
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INSME Bilateral Meetings |
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As part of its commitment to fulfill the Association's mission to promote transnational cooperation on innovation issues, the INSME Secretariat hosts in its headquarters in Rome bilateral meetings with organisations from all geographic regions interested in INSME's activities.
Here are the latest meetings:
- 22 September 2006
Meeting with a Chinese Delegation from the Shanghai Huangpu District
- 20 September 2006
Meeting with the Chamber of Commerce of Uruguay (CIU)
- 4 September 2006
Meeting with a Chinese Delegation from the China Center for Business Cooperation and Coordination (CCBCC)
Reports of these meetings are available at: http://www.insme.org/
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News from the INSME Members |
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IPI: Fashion to Future new website |
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http://www.fashiontofuture.eu
A new information and networking tool now available to support SMEs of the Euro-Mediterranean fashion system in getting ready to participate in future European Research and Technology Development programmes (especially FP7, the European Commission's 7th Framework Programme).
For further information on the F2F project (2006-2008), please contact IPI (Project Coordinator): Dr. Silvia Grandi or Ms. Francesca Giannotti f2f@ipi.it info@fashiontofuture.eu
Read more about F2F: http://www.insme.org/documents/F2F_Summary_Fiche.pdf
Subscribe to F2F free quarterly newsletter: info@fashiontofuture.eu
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Ai Group: Australian Manufacturing in China |
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Australian Manufacturing in China - Deepening Engagement
The Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) has recently published a report examining the impact China is having on Australian manufacturing activity and competitiveness.
For some companies (over 700 surveyed) gains are being made in terms of additional exports, growth opportunities in China and cost savings from using Chinese supply chains. For others, particularly small firms, these gains are more than offset by financial losses and deterioration of profitability. Innovation, research and protection of intellectual property rights are considered by most companies the best strategies to enhance their competitiveness with regards to China.
You can download the report at: http://gfdb1.aigroup.asn.au/pdf/publications/reports/ general_reports/Australian_Mfg_and_China_Aug06.pdf
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SASME: IV International SME Congress |
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02 December 2006 IV International SME Congress - "Support to EU Integration"
Belgrade, Serbia
Organised by the SME UNION of the European People's Party, the Serbian SME UNION and the Serbian SME Association (SASME, INSME Full Member). The INSME Association is among the supporting organisations.
For further information, please contact SASME: office@srb-smeasoc.org
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INSME's Interviews |
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Mrs. Ridout (Australian Industry Group) |
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Mrs. Heather Ridout is Chief Executive of the Australian Industry Group (Ai Group), Australia's largest, multi sector employer association with over 10,000 member companies of all sizes throughout the country.
The Ai Group (INSME Full Member) is engaged in developing and advocating public policies, at both the National and State Government level, in support of the national innovation system. It is also involved in building connections between industry and public research institutions.
Read how the Ai Group pursues its commitment to foster innovation among Australian businesses in this interview with Mrs. Ridout: http://www.insme.org/
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Projects and Initiatives |
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STREN: collaboration opportunities with Tunisian intermediaries |
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In order to foster collaboration in the framework of the EU co-financed STREN project (Scientific and Technological Results Exchange Network, 2006-2007), the Italian Institute for Industrial Promotion - IPI (STREN Consortium Partner) is developing a database of European scientific, technological and innovation organisations interested in collaborating with Tunisian counterparts on research and technological development projects. This database will be made accessible through the STREN website (currently under construction) in the next months.
If you want to take advantage of this match-making tool and have your organisation included in the database, please contact: Mr. Enrico Callegati, IPI callegati@ipi.it Phone: +39.06.80972.477 Fax: +39.06.80972.443
About the STREN project: Brochure - French version [2.341 Kb] Project Presentation
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MOVE: new CV for international TT |
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new curriculuM for internatiOnal transfer of technologies for entrepreneurial deVElopment
The MOVE project (2005-2006) aims at training managers, professionals and consultants from European and Asian countries on issues related to selection, management and transfer of technology.
Among key activities, the implementation and testing of a distance learning platform, whose prototype can be accessed at: http://151.8.193.227/move-project/Default.aspx?tabid=88
The MOVE project is co-financed by the Asia-Link European Programme, an initiative by the European Commission to promote regional and multilateral networking between higher education institutions in Europe and developing countries in Asia.
For further information:
- read a focus on this project on the INSME portal:
http://www.insme.org
- contact the project leader at University of Sannio in Italy:
Prof. Eugenio Corti corti@unisannio.it Phone: +39 0824 305752 Fax: +39 0824 305753
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Tenders & Calls |
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EMAEE 2007 Conference on Innovation |
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� Call for papers
Title: 5th International EMAEE Conference on Innovation (European Meeting on Applied Evolutionary Economics): "Globalisation, Services and Innovation: The Changing Dynamics of the Knowledge Economy" (Manchester, UK - 17-19 May 2007)
Issuer: Manchester Metropolitan University Business School
Deadline: 1 December 2006
http://www.emaee.net
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Assessing the impact of EU Framework Programme on RTD Network Formation |
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� Call for tenders
Title: Structuring Effects of Community Research - The impact of the Framework Programme on Research and Technological Development Network Formation Object: The study sets out to map networks of collaboration in selected areas of RTD, to determine and assess the contribution and the impact of EU research policy directed towards initiating and facilitating networking activities, to determine and assess the extent of the embeddedness of the major actors of the Member States in European networks, [more...].
Issuer: European Commission, Directorate-General for Research
Deadline: 13 November 2006
http://ted.europa.eu/
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IST Africa 2007 |
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� Call for papers Title: Regional Impact of Information Society Technologies in Africa: IST Africa 2007 Conference & Exhibition (Maputo, Mozambique, 9 - 11 May 2007). Thematic areas: eHealth, Technology Enhanced Learning and ICT Skills, Open Source Software, ICT for eInclusion and eAccessibility, eInfrastructures, ICT for Environmental Risk Management, ICT for Networked Enterprise, eGovernment and eDemocracy.
Deadline: 30 November 2006. http://www.ist-africa.org/Conference2007/default.asp The full list of calls selected by the INSME Secretariat is available on the INSME portal at: http://www.insme.org/ |
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Upcoming call for tenders: IRC and EIC networks contract renewal (2007-2013) |
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By the end of the year, following the approval of the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (CIP), the European Commission will launch a call for tenders to continue and improve services in support of business, innovation and technology transfer, currently provided by the Euro Info Centres (EIC) and the Innovation Relay Centres (IRC) Networks. The EU Commission is oriented towards the establishment of a single network offering integrated business support services. Improved access to information and services for SMEs will be an important pillar, inspired by the no wrong door concept. Stay tuned with the Community Research & Development Information Service (CORDIS) for future developments: http://cordis.europa.eu/en/home.html http://cordis.europa.eu/innovation/en/policy/cip.htm |
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Publications |
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Informal Venture Capital Players. European Good Practices (EBAN) |
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Edited by the European Business Angels Network, this guide includes information for public decision-makers, entrepreneurs and angel investors on the role of business angels and their networks, also showing best practices promoting the development of the informal venture capital industry in different European countries.
http://www.insme.org/documents/EBAN_BA_Aug2006_EN.pdf
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A Global Analysis of University Biotechnology Transfer and Commercialization (Milken Institute) |
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In this study, Milken Institute's researchers examine the biotechnology transfer process taking place at universities, from knowledge creation to technology transfer and early-stage commercialisation. A key focus of the investigation is the crucial role played by technology transfer professionals in the successful conversion of knowledge to the private sector.
Read INSME's review of this study at:
http://www.insme.org/
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Innovative Strategies and Actions: Results from 15 Years of Experimentation (EU Commission) |
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This guide by the European Commission's Regional Policy Directorate General is meant to help regional and national decision makers to develop and improve their approach to innovation. Examples of good practice drawn from 15 years of experience with innovative regional strategies and actions are aimed at inspiring new ideas and improve the quality of public intervention.
Download the guide from: http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/funds/2007/index_en.htm
Additional guidebooks on practical strategies to help increasing know how on innovation policies are available on the INSME portal at: http://www.insme.org/
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Cluster Mapping in EU-10 Countries (Europe INNOVA) |
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"Clusters in the EU-10 New Member Countries" http://www.insme.org/documents/eucluster.pdf
The first systematic mapping and analysis of regional clusters across the 10 new Member States, prepared by Europe INNOVA, an initiative funded under the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6). One of the main conclusions of this report is that the lack of regional specialisation might be an important factor explaining the European competitiveness gap with leading global peers.
To complete the mapping of regional clusters across the EU-25, a similar study of the EU-15 regional clusters will be conducted in the next year. View the mapping and analysis plan: http://www.insme.org/documents/in9str4.pdf
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Events |
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EPO Conference conclusions |
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04-05 October 2006 EPO Online Services Conference Lisbon, Portugal
Organised by the European Patent Office. This event showed how the EPO's Online Services are setting new technical standards worldwide in order to make the patent procedure more efficient and cost effective. Opening Address [89 kb] Conclusions [53 kb] |
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VI Euromed Ministerial Conference on Industry |
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21-22 September 2006 6th Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Conference on Industry - "EU and Mediterranean Enterprises Facing the Challenge of Globalisation" Rhodes, Greece
The conclusions adopted concern the implementation of the Euro-Mediterranean Charter on businesses, the promotion of investments, the facilitation of trade of industrial products, innovation and the future of textile and clothing industries.
On this latter issue, the Conference welcomed the recent launch of the EURO-MED Innovation and Technology programme, underlining the importance that this programme may have in stimulating exchanges in the field of innovation across the Mediterranean region and with the EU.
Download the full text of the conclusions: English version [103 kb] French version [98 Kb]
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Highlighted Events |
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Future meetings, workshops, seminars |
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November 2006
3-11 November 2006 "Come to Qingdao" - First Italian-Chinese Meeting on Innovative Technologies for SMEs INSME supports this event organised by AISCRIS (Association of Italian Consulting Firms on Research, Innovation and Development) and AISM (Italian Marketing Association) in the framework of the Year of Italy in China. Qingdao, China
5-10 November 2006 Second Global Forum on Business Incubation: "Empowering Economies through ICT, Innovation and Entrepreneurship" Organised by InfoDev (Information for Development Program), the Department of Science and Technology of the Government of India and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry. Hyderabad, India
6-8 November 2006 BIO-Europe 2006 International Partnering Conference BIO-Europe brings together international decision-makers from the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and financial sectors, offering networking opportunities, workshop participation, and private, pre-scheduled one-to-one meetings. Dusseldorf, Germany
6-8 November 2006 Patent Information Conference 2006 Organised by the European Patent Office (EPO), in co-operation with the Intellectual Property Section of the Register of Companies and Official Receiver (Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism of the Republic of Cyprus). Paphos, Cyprus
8-9 November 2006 Training Programme on "Knowing and Managing Scientific and Technological Cooperation between Tunisia and the European Union" - First Module Organised in the framework of the STREN Project (Scientific and Technological Results Exchange) funded under the EU's Sixth Framework Programme. Tunis, Tunisia
9 November 2006 "Sharing Knowledge for Stronger Business Cooperation - The Case of Central and Eastern Europe" Organised by the Cross Border Connect Project (CBC), the European Business and Innovation Centre Network (EBN) with the support of INNOSTART (Budapest Business & Innovation Centre). Budapest, Hungary
11-15 November 2006 Training Programme on Entrepreneurship and Corporate Innovation Organised by the Gulf Organization for Industrial Consulting in cooperation with Carnegie Mellon University. Main theme: starting and building new businesses and ventures in new fields such as Bio Technology, Electronics and Information Technology. Doha, Qatar
15-17 November 2006 RICUBO 2006 - "Looking for Innovation Investors and New Enterprises" Organised by ASTER (Science Technology Enterprise), INSME Full Member. Bologna, Italy
21-23 November 2006 IST 2006 - "Strategies for Leadership" Organised by the European Commission DG Information Society & Media. Information Society Technologies 2006 (IST 2006) includes a high-level conference, an exhibition of cutting edge research results and a programme of networking sessions and workshops. Helsinki, Finland
23 November 2006 Fifth EBAN Winter University Organised by EBAN (European Business Angel Network). Themes: early stage informal venture capital, European policies in favour of business angels and their networks, innovative initiatives at European level. Brussels, Belgium
23-24 November 2006 2nd European Conference on "Financing Innovation and Creation of New Technology Based Firms" Jointly organised by the Andalusian Institute of Technology (IAT) and the Agency for Innovation and Development of Andalusia (Agencia IDEA), in collaboration with the Network of Technological Areas of Andalusia (RETA). Seville, Spain
26-28 November 2006 Europe INNOVA Conference 2006 - "Re-innovating Europe" Organised by the European Commission (DG Enterprise and Industry) with the support of the Region of Valencia. Valencia, Spain
27-28 November 2006 "The European Legal Framework for e-Business and Innovation" Conference organised by the Enterprise and Industry Directorate-General of the European Commission. Brussels, Belgium
28-29 November 2006 3rd Conference on Financing Regional Development in Acceding Countries, Candidate Countries and Potential Candidate Countries Organised by the European Finance Convention (INSME Full Member). Bucharest, Romania
29 November-1 December 2006 World SME Expo Organised by the Trade Development Council - TDC (Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region). Hong Kong, China
December 2006
4-8 December 2006 UNIDO PHAROS Training Workshop on "Measuring, Benchmarking and Managing of Industrial Enterprise with UNIDO Pharos Software Suite" Organised by United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) in collaboration with GOLEM IMS GMBH (INSME Full Member), Austria. Vienna, Austria
7-8 December 2006 Science Alliance's Fifth Annual Conference: "Best Practices in Science Based Incubators Organised by Science Alliance in close cooperation with Symbion Science Park, Gate2Growth Incubator Forum, the City of Copenhagen and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation of Denmark. Copenhagen, Denmark
14-15 December 2006 BELIEF's eInfrastructures Conference - "Bringing Europe's eLectronic Infrastructures to Expanding Frontiers" A special session is dedicated to eInfrastructures for enabling business, particularly with regards to SMEs. New Delhi, India
January 2007
9-12 January 2007 ISPIM-Asia 2007 Conference - "Innovation and Knowledge Management of Social and Economic Issues: International Perspective" Organised by ISPIM (International Society for Professional Innovation Management, INSME Member) in collaboration with Singapore Management University and Jawaharlal Nehru University, Ministry of Information Technology, Government of India. New Delhi, India
29-30 January 2007 BIO-Asia 2007 The 4th Annual BIO-Asia Partnering Conference is a customised partnering forum between U.S. and European business associations for drug development and Asian biotech and pharmaceutical companies organised by the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO). Tokyo, Japan
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