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SME instrument: new opportunities for highly innovative SMEs

Carles Gimeno

WHAT IS THE INITIATIVE SME INSTRUMENT (SMEi) UNDER H2020?

With a budget of €500 million for 2014 and 2015 and about 1,315 projects funded, the SME instrument, recently launched by the European Commission, aims to transform disruptive ideas into concrete and innovative solutions with a European and global impact. The main targets of the SMEi are high growth and highly innovative EU SMEs which will be supported during three phases:

  • Phase 1. Concept & Feasibility Assessment: feasibility study of the proposed disruptive innovation or concept; business plan I + Coaching (Enterprise Europe Network). Grant: 50,000€ (lump-sum)
  • Phase 2. Demonstration, Market Replication, R&D: innovation activities, such as demonstration, testing, piloting, scaling up, and miniaturization; business plan II + Coaching (EEN). Grant: €0,5-2,5 million
  • Phase 3. Commercialisation: extensive support, training, mentorship and facilitating access to risk finance as the project is further polished into a marketable product.

WHO CAN APPLY?

Only a single EU highly innovative SME or a consortium of EU for-profit SMEs can apply.

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WHEN?

Phase 1:   18/06/2014   –   24/09/2014   –   17/12/2014

                   18/03/2015   –   17/06/2015   –   17/09/2015

Phase 2:   09/10/2014   –   17/12/2014

                   18/03/2015   –   17/06/2015   –   17/09/2015

 

TOPICS

In 2014 and 2015, the SME Instrument will support SMEs operating within 13 topics:

  • High risk ICT innovation (ICT-37)
  • Nanotech, or other advanced tech for manufacturing and materials (NMP-25)
  • Space research and development (SME-SPACE)
  • Clinical research for the validation of diagnostics devices and biomarkers (PHC-12)
  • Sustainable food production and processing (SFS-8)
  • Blue growth (BG-12)
  • Low carbon energy systems (SIE-1)
  • Greener and more integrated transport (IT-1)
  • Eco-innovation and sustainable raw material supply (SC5-20)
  • Urban critical infrastructure (DRS-17)
  • Biotechnology-based industrial processes (BIOTEC-5)
  • Mobile e-government applications (2015 only) (INSO-9)
  • SME business model innovation (2015 only) (INSO-10)

 

MORE INFORMATION

Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (EASME)

SME Techweb

Participant portal (H2020)