Transcript ICT Innovation Vouchers

Digital Entrepreneurship &
ICT Innovation Vouchers
SMEs Going Digital
Helen Köpman
European Commission
DG Connect - Innovation
Why ICT matters
 ICT is key enabler of competitiveness and innovation
 By 2016, the Digital Economy will reach 3.2 trillion Euros in
the G-20 economies
 More than 75% of the value added created by the internet is
in traditional industries, in higher productivity
 SMEs grow 2-3 x faster when they embrace the digital
economy
 ICT creates jobs: for every job destroyed by the emergence of
the internet, 2.6 new jobs were created in the EU
SMEs are the lifeblood of EU
 98,8 % of all companies
 2/3 of all jobs
 1/2 of Gross Value Added
Digital Entrepreneurship on the EU
policy agenda
Entrepreneurship
2020 Action plan
Digital Agenda
for Europe
Small Business
Act for Europe
An Industrial
Policy for the
Globalisation Era
Digital Entrepreneurship
Digital Entrepreneurship Strategy
DIGITAL
SINGLE
MARKET
ECOSYSTEM
SKILLS
FINANCE
Digital Entrepreneurship Strategy
- Digital Single market
• Accelerate the development
of on-line services
• Broadband deployment
• Connected continent
• European patent
DIGITAL
SINGLE
MARKET
ECOSYSTEM
SKILLS
FINANCE
Digital Entrepreneurship Strategy
- Access to Finance
• Support to Business Angels
and Venture Capital
• Loan guarantees for
innovative SMEs
• SME grants for innovation
DIGITAL
SINGLE
MARKET
ECOSYSTEM
SKILLS
FINANCE
Digital Entrepreneurship Strategy
- Eco-System
• Entrepreneurship culture
and investment readiness –
Startup Europe
• Cooperation between ICT
accelerators and incubators
• Coaching and mentoring Enterprise Europe Network
DIGITAL
SINGLE
MARKET
ECOSYSTEM
SKILLS
FINANCE
Digital Entrepreneurship Strategy
- Skills
• Grand coalition for skills
and jobs
DIGITAL
SINGLE
MARKET
ECOSYSTEM
SKILLS
FINANCE
Positive outlook for SMEs following
period of economic instability
Source: Vodaphone, Pan-Europan Research , April-May 2013
'The connected future for SMEs' Beth Pearson, 28/1/14
Technology is definitely on the SME
agenda
Source: Vodaphone, Pan-Europan Research , April-May 2013
'The connected future for SMEs' Beth Pearson, 28/1/14
SMEs on the adoption curve
Clear distinction between 'emerging' and 'mature'
technologies…
Source: Vodaphone, Pan-Europan Research , April-May 2013
'The connected future for SMEs' Beth Pearson, 28/1/14
Five key areas for technology
investment
Source: Vodaphone, Pan-Europan Research , April-May 2013
'The connected future for SMEs' Beth Pearson, 28/1/14
What would drive SMEs to invest more
in technology?
Source: Vodaphone, Pan-Europan Research , April-May 2013
'The connected future for SMEs' Beth Pearson, 28/1/14
What are
What for
What
impact
What
value
Financial incentive for EU micro-enterprises and
SMEs
To innovate by investing in digital technologies
Investment should help them increase their
competitiveness and enhance their growth prospects
Typically valued up to €10,000
For who?
• Established
companies or
entrepreneurs
• Located in regions
where the vouchers
scheme is deployed
• Company or public
body registered in
the EU
• Able to deliver
quality services
required at market
price
Micro-enterprises
& SMEs
ICT knowledge/
service provider
Demand
Supply
What for?
SMEs seeking
presence on the web
or with low ICT
knowledge
Basic
level
Medium
level
Expert
level
SMEs using web + other
ICT tools to expand
production/sales
processes
SMEs pushing
ICT innovation to
its limits
Examples of services
ICT design and
development
e-Commerce
e-Skills
Business solutions
services
Evaluation of processes
or product design
Product testing
Validating,
certifying services
Prototyping and R&D
demonstration
New ICT-based business
models
How does it work for a Region?
Definition of
the scheme
Managing authority
Operational
Programme
Identify the
implementing
body
Tailor
the
scheme
Regional development
agencies,
Innovation agencies,
Chambers of commerce,
Universities,
Cluster organisations…
• Regional innovation
targets
• Needs of the SMEs
• Keep it "fast & light".
• Monitoring performance
and impact
How does it work for an SME?
Request for the
voucher
Allocation of the
voucher
Use and
redemption
of the
voucher
• SME applies
• Concrete plan to use ICT
services in their business
• Estimated cost of services
• List of ICT service
providers
• Implementing body
evaluates
• Defined selection criteria
• Provides voucher to SME
• In a few working days!
SME buys ICT services
from accredited ICT
knowledge/service
providers in exchange
for the voucher + own
investment
Reimbursement of the
voucher from the
implementing body
Best practices of innovation
vouchers
Innovation vouchers have
successfully been implemented in
European regions since more than 10
years
Pilot ICT innovation voucher schemes
are being run for SMEs in both
Spanish regions of Extremadura and
Region of Murcia funded through the
EU Structural Funds
What are you waiting for?
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For further information:
http://bit.ly/ICTvouchers
[email protected]