EICpilot - Support to Swedish SMEs

Purpose and goal

Purpose: to create value to Swedish life science by stimulating increased participation in H2020. Short-term goal: to lower the threshold for SMEs to apply for funds through H2020 EIC Pilot. By offering planning grants to SMEs developing new innovations/technologies, the project facilitated companies to seek and obtain EU funding. Purpose and goals were met; SMEs receiving planning grants have all applied for EU funding. One of these has been granted EU funding (SEK 24 million in SME Instr 2). Several SMEs that were not approved for EU funding have stated their intention to reapply.

Expected results and effects

One anticipated result of the project was that more Swedish SMEs active in life science would seek Horizon 2020 EIC funding. Positive results, measured in the project have already generated an increase in project funding from H2020 to Sweden. In addition, several SMEs that received planning grants but subsequently had their H2020 applications rejected, state that they are now further developing their applications based on evaluators feedback, and intend to re-apply for EU funding. It is therefore feasible that the project will continue to generate results after the end of the project.

Planned approach and implementation

The approach; calls that were synchronized with EU deadlines, worked well. Information sharing (IRL and in electronic form) about the possibility to seek planning grants, was mainly through broad networks within Swelife and Medtech4Health, including innovation offices, incubators, EUSME Support Office, SwedenBio and Swedish Medtech. This worked well and contributed to achieving project goals. Vinnova´s assessment of feasibility and impact of the project based on the project description and a short business plan (max 3 pages) provided by the applicant, worked well.