General scope:

The main objective of this project is to “help Atlantic Area SMEs develop their innovative and cooperative potential to meet their needs, prospects and possibilities, taking into account their initial level of innovation”. To reach this goal once the participating institutions supply methodology that can be adapted to each type of company and region will be closely advised in an individual way.

In addition to having a clear orientation towards innovation (tailor-made in each case for new products-services-processes, business models, human resource management, business co-operation, etc.), INNO-COOP will actively foster a twofold continuous transfer of knowledge among the participating companies and institutions and among different innovation level regions.

Another important point to be addressed will be co-operation: by setting up a network and then developing new projects that can lead to joint collaborative actions among within the companies and institutions, and also by carrying out an specific task to contact other ongoing projects and set up agreements for action coordination.

Results to be attained.

1.                 A joint methodology is developed that encompasses the past experience regarding innovation of each of the participants in the project and adapting it to the different regional and company characteristics.

2.                 Diagnosis of approximately 10/15 SMEs per region is carried out to assess their innovative and co-operative potential and, more significant, their prospects are identified in order to better focus the initiative.

3.                 Innovative projects (technological, commercial, organizational, …) will be launched with the coaching of the project partner (or partners) needed to fulfill their corporate prospects.

4.                Knowledge transfer process from partners to SMEs and among Atlantic Regions by means of transfer workshops.

5.                  Three kinds of Co-operation Networks: (1) among regional SMEs participating in the project (2) trans-Atlantic networks of partners and (3) transversal Interreg (or other) EU projects co-operation networks.

6.                A guidebook compiling the methodology will be published both on-line and in black-and-white.

7.                Formats for company innovation capability diagnosis, innovation management processes and training material will be available on-line by means of the project web site to reach the widest possible impact.

8.                A stable co-operation  network to exchange new ideas and participation in new proposals.

9.                 A final report to evaluate the results obtained and make recommendations for the future policies of each of the participating regions.

10.             Actual meeting with regional innovation policy makers authorities, taking into account that the partners themselves are strong regional influence considered bodies.

 Need-problem to be solved.

When implementing innovation development methodologies within groups of SMEs, it is essential to consider the different initial levels of innovation in the different companies. Unfortunately it is often overlooked the real prospects of the participating companies, that is, how far do they want to go and what efforts, commitment and time resources are they willing to devote into the project.

In some other programs, the stages are “force-fed” instead of advancing in a progressive way that enables the participants to “climb the ladder” of innovation and co-operation.

In such a context, it is very difficult for companies to form effective networks, unless they operate in an environment that fosters the exchange of ideas: common prospects, needs, and concerns.

Particularly INNO-COOP takes into account these important factors by opting for a rigorous and well-proven Methodology that, at the same time, is flexible and readily adaptable to the specific requirements of the sector, or Atlantic geographical region. 

Innovation aspects of INNO-COOP:

The Methodology employed in Inno-COOP is highly innovative in that it caters to the participation of all types of SMEs, regardless of their size, initial level of innovation and prospects (ambition) or geographical location..

In addition, the praxis of this Methodology involves a deep contact among companies with similar concerns or prospects and this is what is needed to set up networks in a natural way that insures that the links will be sustained in the long run.

The methodology to be applied is based on the idea that the industrial system should climb up the innovation and co-operation ladder having 5 steps:

›                 Level 1: To carry out an individual (non co-operative) R&D product project.

›                 Level 2: To extend innovation to services and/or companies processes.

›                 Level 3: To participate in a c-operative project.

›                 Level 4: To spread out innovation in all company areas (to become and innovative company).

›                 Level 5: Intra-preneurship (intra-learning; spin-offs, etc….).

Methodology / process of the Project.

1.                 Sharing of knowledge, methodological know-how, tools and experience related to innovation in all 5 levels.

2.                 Development of a joint methodology than can be adapted to different companies and regions.

3.                 Selection of target companies/sectors in each region.

4.                 Assessment of innovative capacity in the companies by means of an innovation/co-operation capabilities diagnosis (company portrait).

5.                 Innovation project development in each participating SME and continuous coaching by partners.

6.                 Transfer of knowledge by means of exchanges/workshops among companies/institutions in various regions. Active search for future agreements and alliances. Contacts with other EU projects that might be complementary/synergic.

7.                 Fine-tuning of Methodologies.

P                  A Guide (“how to grow with innovation”) and other support material.

8.                 Project communication tools:

P                  Diffusion: before, during and after the project.

P                  Supporting information and communication tools â Project web.

9.                 Final Report, evaluation of results and future recommendations for regional policy.

10.             Open perpetuation: 2 ways:

P                  Through physical presence: workshops, meetings within partners as well as with other stakeholders.

P                  Through non-presential activities: by using ICT technologies (web 2.0).