Issue N 22 - May 2005
In this Issue:
INSME Activities
Call for co-organising the INSME 2006 Annual Meeting
INSME Handbook on Innovative Thinking
INSME Training Programmes
Join the INSME-CFI Training Course on Innovation Management
New: INSME-API Training Course on Innovative Enterprises
INSME's Interviews
Interview with an innovation champion: Mr. Moretti Polegato, the inventor of the shoe that breathes (Geox)
Tenders & Calls
Call for Proposals to participate in the CIR-CE funding programme (Cooperation in Innovation and Research with Central and Eastern Europe), Austria
Call for Papers - InnovAsia 2005: Conference on Innovation Management
Partnerships
EFC Foundation
Publications
Panoramica Latinoamericana (PanAL)
Recommended Websites
Scienceineurope.NET
Events
Upcoming workshops, seminars, meetings
 
INSMEnews!
Contact the editorial staff
 
 



Dear INSMEnews Readers,

this edition marks the second anniversary of our INSME monthly online newsletter and it is encouraging for us to receive signs of appreciation from you all, who, we are very proud to say, are approaching the threshold of 10,000 subscribers.

I would like to share with you some thoughts on how INSMEnews has changed since its launch. In response to the large number of users of the Events section of the portal, we have subsequently enriched and expanded this section of the newsletter. We have added information regarding the INSME Association's activities and about INSME Members and Partners, following the consolidation and enlargement of the Network. We have featured more highlights on innovation and technology transfer at international level in an attempt to achieve a better distributed geographical balance in the coverage of SME and innovation related issues globally.

We have also tried to bring you original contents and perspectives by hosting the challenging views of personalities and experts in the field. In line with this goal, INSME's Interviews section was launched exactly a year ago and this issue features an interview with a real innovator and inventor, Mr. Moretti Polegato, that we warmly invite you to read, as his story is a paradigmatic example of how to achieve business success through innovation and Intellectual Property management.

In spite of its growing readership and positive feedback we believe that INSMEnews can become better still. We appeal to you, dear INSMEnews Readers, to let us know what your likes and dislikes are, and provide us with your ideas for further improvement. Which sections do you consider most interesting? Which, if any, are redundant? We will appreciate your frankness. What additional content would you like to see included so as to improve our relevance to you?

We are open to any suggestion, proposal or idea you may have to improve this free service. Please do not hesitate to contact us at secretariat@insme.it.

Looking forward to hearing from you soon, 

Ms. Simona Marzetti
INSME Association Secretary General

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INSME Activities
   Call for co-organising the INSME 2006 Annual Meeting


Whether you are an INSME Member or not, the INSME Annual Meeting can be a valuable opportunity to increase your organisation's visibility among renowned international, national and local public and private players operating in the field of SMEs, innovation and technology transfer all over the world. It also offer the chance to strengthen your networking capacity and reputation in this field at international level.


Read about this opportunity and submit your candidature to host and co-organise the INSME Association 2006 Annual Meeting!

This will be a 3-day event to be held indicatively in early 2006, before May 31, to be structured as follows:

  • Day 1: meeting of the INSME General Assembly and INSME Board;
  • Day 2: International Conference on a theme related to SME innovation;
  • Day 3: Visit to innovation centres in the region; social program (optional).

A call for candidatures is open in this regard, specifying the guidelines to follow to submit your application properly:
  Call for co-hosting and co-organising the INSME Association 2006 Annual Meeting - Guidelines

For further information and any clarification or to submit your proposal, please contact the INSME Secretariat:
Ms. Simona Marzetti
secretariat@insme.it
Phone: +39 06 80972.448
Fax: +39 06 80972.443

 

   INSME Handbook on Innovative Thinking

A Collection of Methodologies and Technological Intelligence Tools
to Improve Innovation through Creativity

How can we improve our innate capacity to find innovative solutions to problems, and develop new products, processes and services?

Several methodologies and techniques have been developed in the last few years to address these needs. Creative thinking methodologies, as well as knowledge management tools, have proved to be useful instruments to foster innovation among enterprises and organisations in general: the former by stimulating the creativity which is part of people's personality, the latter by supporting the information management within the wide range of data currently available.

The INSME Handbook on Innovative Thinking provides an overview of several creative thinking methodologies and technological intelligence tools, developed, collected and applied by well known and successful professionals. Each methodology merges different creative techniques in a functional way. Case studies describe successful practices, showing how these methodologies can be applied in the perspective of generating innovative solutions and products.

The Handbook therefore represents a useful tool for all those organisations committed to stimulating innovation and technology transfer to enterprises.

Available on paper by end of June (English version only), upon request with contribution for postage (free postage for INSME Association Members). For further information and to receive it, please refer to the INSME Secretariat:

Dr. Silvia Grandi
 grandi@ipi.it
phone: +39 06 80972.215
fax: +39 06 80972.443
 Mr. Enrico Callegati
 callegati@ipi.it
phone: +39 06 80972.477
fax: +39 06 80972.443

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INSME Training Programmes
   Join the INSME-CFI Training Course on Innovation Management

Don't miss this opportunity for professional growth and international networking!

After the success of the first INSME training programme held in India in late 2004, we are pleased to present you this second revised edition:

INSME-CFI International Training Course on Management of Innovation and Technology Transfer
Date: 5 - 8 July, 2005
Place: CFI headquarters, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Tuition Fees: 500 euro (300 euro for INSME Association Members and participants from non-OECD countries)
Language: Spanish with English interpretation
Federal Investment Council-CFI

The training programme is open to public and private economic players from all geographical areas and will combine theory and practical experience, including topics such as Assessing Technology and Innovation Needs, Commercialisation of Innovation and Technology Search, Legal Aspects of Technology Transfer, Finance for Innovation and others. A site visit to the University of Quilmes will be also organised in the framework of the session focused on Academic Research and Industry Linkages.

Download the provisional agenda:
English version Spanish version
You will also find the a Spanish version of the training programme agenda on CFI webstite:
 http://www.cfired.org.ar/esp2/eventos/insme/insme.htm
Register to attend the INSME-CFI Training Programme (deadline: June 5, 2005):
Registration Form (EN) Formulario de Inscripción (ES)

Among the trainers, representatives of the following organisations: CFI (Federal Investment Council), OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development), INNOVA, INTI (National Institute of Industrial Technology), WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization), CONICET (National Council of Scientific and Technical Research), INVAP Ingener�a, UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development), IADB (Inter-American Development Bank), BNDES (Brazilian Development Bank), BICE (Credit Risk Investment and Foreign Trade Bank), Meta Group and INSME.

Find out more about the organisers and trainers:
http://www.insme.org/
 http://www.insme.org/

For further information and any clarification, please contact the INSME Secretariat:
Mr. Mariano G. Cordone
 secretariat@insme.it
phone: +39 06 80972.472
fax: +39 06 80972.443

 
   New: INSME-API Training Course on Innovative Enterprises

It is our pleasure to announce that the registration phase for the INSME-API Training Programme on Supporting the Creation and Development of Innovative Enterprises is now open. Here is the form with all the relevant information on how to apply:
 Formulaire d'inscription (FR)

INSME-API Training Programme on Supporting the Creation and Development of Innovative Enterprises
Date: 13 - 15 December, 2005
Place: API headquarters, Tunis Belvéd�re, Tunisia
Tuition Fees: 400 euro (250 euro for INSME Association Members and participants from non-OECD countries)
Language: French only

Download the provisional programme:
 French Version

Stay updated on the agenda visiting our website:
 http://www.insme.org/

This training course is in partnership with UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization), UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development) and WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization).

For further information and any clarification, please contact the INSME Secretariat:
Mr. Mariano G. Cordone
secretariat@insme.it
phone: +39 06 80972.472
fax: +39 06 80972.443

 

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INSME's Interviews
   Interview with an innovation champion: Mr. Moretti Polegato, the inventor of the shoe that breathes (Geox)

With nine million shoes sold in 2004, Geox has become in less than a decade the number one footwear company in Italy and the fourth on a global level in the casual-comfort sector. This success originated from the innovative solution found by Geox's President, Mr. Mario Moretti Polegato, to the problem of overheated feet and perspiration when wearing rubber sole shoes.

This innovative solution is the membrane, derived from the development of materials used in space research. Transferring this technology into the footwear industry, Mr. Polegato has revolutionised this traditional sector.

Learn how Mr. Polegato's clever business idea has provided a solid base for Geox's success by leveraging innovation, research and technology transfer:
 http://www.insme.org/

 

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Tenders & Calls
   Call for Proposals to participate in the CIR-CE funding programme (Cooperation in Innovation and Research with Central and Eastern Europe), Austria

The Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Labour (BMWA) launches a call for proposals for the financing of projects aimed at extending and establishing transnational innovation networks particularly of SMEs between Austria and Central and Eastern Europe in order to implement innovation initiative and strengthen technology transfer.

More specifically, proposals must concern the following categories of projects:
 
� Network Projects: they must be focused on the establishment or expansion of transnational networks organised by intermediary organisations (Competence Centres, Technology centres, clusters);
 
� Innovation Projects: they must be transnational projects focused on commercialisation/technology transfer or research projects with an ambitious element of applicability.

Funding is up to 75% for a maximun of 150,000 euro for Network projects and up to 45%, for a maximum of 400,000 euro for Innovation Projects, with duration ranging from 1.5 to 3 years.

Guidelines, programme principles, application forms and all other essential documents are provided at:
 http://www.cir-ce.at

Deadline: September 12, 2005.

 

   Call for Papers - InnovAsia 2005: Conference on Innovation Management

The National Innovation Agency (NIA) of Thailand invites institutions and individuals to submit papers for its Conference on Innovation Management, InnovAsia 2005, to take place in Bangkok, Thailand, on September 21-23, 2005.

Papers are solicited on, but not limited to, the following topics:

  • Innovation management in the Asia-Pacific region;
  • Innovation and entrepreneurship- from invention to the marketplace;
  • Innovation and organizational cultures;
  • The role of education in innovation management;
  • Capacity-building for innovation management;
  • Intellectual property protection;
  • Innovation and risk assessment/risk management.

Abstracts must be submitted by June 30, 2005.

Details on how to apply can be found on the NIA website:
 http://www.nia.or.th/innovasia

 

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Partnerships
   EFC Foundation

European Finance Convention (EFC) Foundation
"Where the Leaders of the European Financial Community are meeting"

The INSME Association has just developped a partnership with the European Finance Convention Foundation, a non profit organisation that has been collaborating over the years with the European Commission and most of the international Financial Institutions for the organisation of events focused on some of the major matters related to the EU economical and financial integration.

The INSME Secretariat will promote those EFC events relevant to the INSME community and will diffuse information regarding them through the Event section of the INSME portal and the INSME newsletter. INSME Association Members will in turn benefit from reductions to the attendance fees for these events.

The first of them will take place in Vienna (Austria), on June 16-17, 2005 on "Access to Finance for SMEs in the New Member States, Accession Countries, Russia and the CIS". A 15% discount of the registration fee is available for INSME Members wishing to attend.

For further information on this event, please visit:
 http://www.commsstrategy.com/Vienna4/start.htm
The registration form can be downloaded at:
 http://www.commsstrategy.com/Vienna4/Viennabooking.pdf

Are you interested in becoming a Partner of the INSME Association?
Please contact the INSME Secretariat:
 secretariat@insme.it

 

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Publications
   Panoramica Latinoamericana (PanAL)

Published by CEFIAL (Centre for Education and Information on Latin America), this is a new bimonthly magazine focusing on Latin America's relationships with the European Union and the EU Member Countries and also covering socio-political and economic context evolution of the Latin American area.

In the first issue, Panoramica Latinoamericana (PanAL) features a number of highlights of interest to entrepreneurs or policy makers at national or local level who already have connections in Latin America or envisage the establishment of economic and political relationships in this area.

Articles include:

  • Current issues regarding Ecuador, Colombia and Chile
  • An abstract from a recent survey on SMEs and Entrepreneurial Networks in 14 countries of the regions
  • A special on the Andean Community and its economy (the Andean Community is a subregional organization based in Lima, Peru, endowed with an international legal status, which is made up of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela)
  • A focus on the IIRSA Initiative (Initiative for the Integration of Regional Infrastructure in South America)

PanAL is available upon subscription (bilingual version Italian/Spanish only). For further information contact CEFIAL Editorial Staff at:
 info@cefial-rivista.org

 

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Recommended Websites
   Scienceineurope.NET

 Scienceineurope.NET is an Internet search engine on Science, Technology and Innovation in the EU. Containing more than 125,000 links to science-related web sites across Europe, it is intended to become the main source in Europe. Teachers and operators in this field can easily find contacts and information, can develop links with other European sites, can contact the coordinators and get their web site added to the list (informacao@cienciapt.net).

It is, doubtlessly, a great gold mine of all links to the main institutions, organisations and agencies involved in Science, Technology and Innovation throughout the 25 EU Member States.

Visit Scienceineurope.NET website:
 http://www.scienceineurope.net

 

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Events
   Upcoming workshops, seminars, meetings

Here is our selection of interesting events due to take place in June 2005. Please, note that the INSME Secretariat has negotiated reductions for the participation of INSME Members in some of these events. These opportunities are marked with a *.

If you are an INSME Member, log into the Association Members Area within the INSME portal for further information about opportunities deriving from membership in the INSME Association:
 http://www.insme.org/
or contact the INSME Secretariat:
 secretariat@insme.it

3-5 June 2005
European Research and Innovation Exhibition
Organised by Fondamental Expo. Key themes: Creation and development of innovative enterprises; Challenges of innovation; Technopoles and local communities; Maximising the value of research and innovation.
Paris, France

9-11 June 2005
EUMED Business Centres Conference and Exhibition
Hosted jointly by the ABIGEM - EU Turkey Business Centres (INSME Member) in collaboration with the Turkish Union of Chambers of Industry (TOBB). To be attended by the INSME Secretariat.
Istanbul, Turkey

15-16 June 2005
Conference on the European Charter for Small Enterprises
Organised by the Luxemburg Presidency and the DG Entreprise & Industry of the European Commission.
Luxemburg

15-18 June 2005
"Golden Opportunities for Entrepreneurship"
50th World Conference of ICSB (International Council for Small Business).
Washington DC, USA

16-17 June 2005
* Access to Finance for SMEs in the New Member States, Accession Countries, Russia and the CIS
A "European Finance Convention " event hosted by the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKO). A 15 % discount on the participation fee is available for INSME Association Members to attend this conference.
Vienna, Austria

16-19 June 2005
13th European BIC Network Congress: "Industry Leaders and Small Businesses: Leading the Way Together"
"New Models of Partnership between industry leaders and clusters of innovative start-ups and SMEs - A mission for BICs and R&D oriented incubation programmes".
M�laga, Spain

19-22 June 2005
* The Role of Knowledge in Innovation Management
The XVI ISPIM (The International Society for Professional Innovation Management) Annual Conference. A 10% discount on the regular participation fee is available for INSME Association Members.
Porto, Portugal

21-23 June 2005
* European Venture Market 2005
Event dedicated to match entrepreneurs and investors on a European scale. Reduction on the basic fee and on the company presentation available for INSME Association Members.
Berlin, Germany

23-24 June 2005
OECD Conference on Fostering Entrepreneurship: The Role of Higher Education
Organised by the OECD Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs and Local Development (CFE).
Trento, Italy

27-29 June 2005
IRC Network Annual Meeting
This meeting marks the 10th anniversary of the Innovation Relay Centres Network, the largest technology transfer network in the world, supported by the European Commission.
Brussels, Belgium

27-29 June 2005
Worldwide Symposium on Geographical Indications
Jointly organised by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the Italian Ministry of Productive Activities, Parma Municipality, Parma Chamber of Commerce, IPI (INSME Member).
Parma, Italy

28-30 June 2005 
IASP Latin America Conference on Science and Technology Parks
Organised by the P.T.C. (Constituyentes TechnoPole) the event encompasses all aspects related to incubators creation and management.
Buenos Aires, Argentina

30 June 2005
Economic Potentials of Serbia - Local and Regional Development of Serbia and the Countries of Southeast Europe
Symposium organised by Multi Media International and SASME (Serbian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises), this latter INSME Member, and promoted by INSME.
Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro

30 June - 1 July 2005
Cluster Conference 2005 - Beyond Clusters: Current Practices & Future Strategies
The conference is hosted by the Centre for Regional Innovation & Competitiveness (CRIC) at the University of Ballarat.
Ballarat, Australia

30 June - 1 July 2005
La Baule 2005 World Investment Conference Making Europe more Attractive and Competitive
"From Knowledge to Value"
La Baule, France 

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INSME Secretariat
c/o IPI – Institute for Industrial Promotion
Viale M. Pilsudski, 124
00197 Rome
Italy
Tel. +39-06-80972466
      +39-06-80972484
Fax +39-06-80972443
E-mail: secretariat@insme.it

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Via Bernardino Zenale, 11
20123 Milan - Italy
Tel.: +39 02 43440201
Fax +39 02 43440222
E-mail: webmaster@insme.it

Web sites: www.insme.org | www.ipi.it | www.riditt.it
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