Issue N 84 - January 2011
In this Issue:
Life of the Network
7th INSME Annual Meeting Agenda
News from the INSME Members
WIPO and Mohammed Bin Rashid Est. for SME Development: First Training of Trainers (TOT) programme in Dubai (UAE)
EBN: 25th Anniversary Celebration
OSEO: TACTICS INNO-NET priorities for 2011
Focus on...INSME Members
APEC SMEIC
Partnerships
INSME and the Pro Bono Initiative
INSME's Picks in the News
EU economic governance: Commission sets the yearly priorities for EU growth
Tenders & Calls
SWITCH ASIA programme: Promoting Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP)
DRUID Society Conference 2011 on Innovation, Strategy, and Structure
Eurostars: 6th cut off
Interesting Initiatives
The European technology transfer market
Publications
OECD: Science, Technology and Industry Outlook 2010
UNCTAD: Information Economy Report 2010
ICAEW: Global Enterprise Survey Report 2010
EIF: European Private Equity Market Outlook
Recommended Websites
Your Europe portal
Recommended Newsletter
Innovation Daily
Events
Highlighted Events
Future International meetings, workshops, seminars selected by INSME
 
INSMEnews!
Contact the editorial staff
 
 

Keep up to date on innovation matters with the INSME Association!


INSMEnews is the free monthly newsletter edited by the INSME Association Secretariat to stay updated about the activities of the International Network for SMEs, its Members and Partners worldwide. INSME aims to promote transnational cooperation among private and public stakeholders to make innovation happen in SMEs.

INSMEnews is available in English, Spanish and Russian. Sponsors and Promoters to translate this newsletter into other languages are welcome among INSME Members, Partners and Third Parties.
We welcome contributions, comments and suggestions that can enrich this newsletter and improve our ongoing work, with the aim to support innovation intermediaries and their internationalisation.

In this issue, find out more about the 4-day agenda of the 7th INSME Annual Meeting in Helsinki, Finland.

We look forward to enlarging our network in 2011.

Enjoy the reading!

INSME Association Secretariat

 

 

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Life of the Network
   7th INSME Annual Meeting Agenda


"Competitiveness, Culture and Cross-Border Co-operation: 
Assisting SMEs to Grow, Innovate and
Reach International Markets"

23rd - 26th May, 2011
Helsinki, Finland


Download the provisional Agenda of the 7th INSME Annual Meeting 2011 which includes six dedicated thematic panels on:

- Nourishing an Innovative and Competitive Environment for SMEs
- Culture and social capital - key components in SME competitiveness in the knowledge based economy 
- Ravishing regions supporting SMEs through clusters
- Inspiring mind - source of design and technology
- Innovation and Technology Transfer in the intangible service business
- Revising Funding Markets for SMEs


This year institutional roundtables on specific topics will also take place on May 23rd (morning) with the involvement of EPROCA and Finnish stakeholders. So start booking your agenda to join in!

Registration is mandatory to confirm any participant.

 Please complete the electronic online registration at the Conference website.

For participation and further details, please visit the website at:  www.annualmeeting2011.insme.org

or contact the INSME Secretariat at:
 insme2011@insme.it

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News from the INSME Members
   WIPO and Mohammed Bin Rashid Est. for SME Development: First Training of Trainers (TOT) programme in Dubai (UAE)


From 19th to 23rd December 2010 the first-ever Training of Trainers (TOT) programme in the Arab world on"Effective Intellectual Property Asset Management by small and
medium enterprises (SMEs)"
was held in Dubai.
The TOT, organized by the SMEs Division of the World Intellectual Property Organisation � WIPO and the  gathered 25 participants from the UAE. The aim is to create a critical mass of trainers with the basic knowledge and skills to provide preliminary IP assistance to entrepreneurs and students as well as MSMEs on effective IP asset management, with a view to provide a networking platform for trainers. The training focused on the presentation of the IP Panorama tool developed by WIPO.
 For further details, please, read the press release and visit the WIPO website at: http://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/details.jsp?meeting_id=22222

   EBN: 25th Anniversary Celebration

On the occasion of the celebration of its 25th Anniversary, EBN � the European Business and Innovation Centre Network, organised an Annual Reception dedicated to "Applied Innovation - The Smart Entrepreneurs' Perspective" on 24th- 25th January in Brussels, Belgium. The event saw the participation of the  EU Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science, Mrs M�ire Geoghegan-Quinn, who introduced the Innovation Union Flagship Initiative.
Furthermore, the EBN Annual Reception included the two following seminars:
- 24th January 2011 : Knowledge Intensive Services for KIS ventures - KIS4SAT facts, figures & upcoming opportunities
- 25th January 2011 : Supporting SMEs in Digital & Creative Industries (INSME Association is one of the knowledge partners)

 To find out more, please, visit the following website at: http://www.ebn.eu/EventDetail.aspx?id=132

   OSEO: TACTICS INNO-NET priorities for 2011
The TACTICS project, coordinated by OSEO , is an INNO-Net project in the area of cluster policy launched on September 2009. It aims at supporting and further expanding the European Cluster Alliance - ECA, and contributing to the development of better cluster policies and practical tools in Europe.
During 2011, cluster policy actors will have further opportunities to work together through the ECA workshop programme and will also be able to participate in policy development initiatives and in the pilot mechanisms that are being launched by the TACTICS INNO-Net: notably the Innovation Express call, which seeks to encourage international collaboration between clusters and SMEs. 
 
 Details can be found at: http://www.proinno-europe.eu/page/project-overview-4

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Focus on...INSME Members
   APEC SMEIC

The APEC SME Innovation Center is an International Organisation, established in 2006, in accordance with the Daegu Initiative, as a vehicle to drive the co-prosperity and economic growth of APEC member economies, reinforcing the capacity of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and serving as a platform for the expansion of regional networks. To reach its goals, the Center conducts research of policies and practices on SME innovation and identifies the best practices. At the same time, it builds networks among stakeholders and holds training programs and conferences.

The APEC SMEIC is managed by the Small and Medium Business Corporation (SBC) non-profit, government-funded organization established to implement government policies and programs for the sound growth and development of Korean SMEs.

The APEC SME Innovation Center is a Full Member of INSME Association from 2007.

 Read more about the APEC SME Innovation Center.

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Partnerships
   INSME and the Pro Bono Initiative

With a view to strengthen its international linkages and to share mutual benefits by developing synergies, exchanging know how and cooperating on a regular and voluntary basis to better support SMEs, the INSME Association has just established a new partnership with the LexEcon Consulting Group, a legal consulting company based in Wellington, New Zealand. LexEcon Consulting Group provided legal support to Government institutions, Development Agencies and international SMEs.

LexEcon Pro Bono Initiative is the charitable legal services division of LexEcon Consulting Group. This initiative aims to help SMEs to adopt e-business solutions by providing them with free legal support; to promote the use of electronic transactions among SMEs as an ICT tools to help achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015.

 Read more about the LexEcon Consulting Group and the LexEcon Pro Bono Initiative.

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INSME's Picks in the News
   EU economic governance: Commission sets the yearly priorities for EU growth
On 12 January 2011 the European Commission presented the Annual Growth Survey with the aim to focus its efforts in a coordinated manner, and with an eye on priorities, in order to respond to the crisis and to speed up Europe's economic growth.
The Annual Growth Survey charts a clear direction on where Europe should be heading in the next year, with ten pressing actions focused on macro-economic stability and fiscal consolidation, structural reforms and growth-enhancing measures.
 
 For further information, please, read the press release and/or download the Communication on "Annual Growth Survey: advancing the EU's comprehensive response to the crisis"

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Tenders & Calls
   SWITCH ASIA programme: Promoting Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP)

Call for Proposals

Call identifier: EuropeAid/130830/C/ACT/CAI

Aim: To contribute, through promoting sustainable growth, to the economic prosperity and poverty reduction in Asia and to the mitigation of climate change. The specific objective is to promote sustainable production and sustainable consumption (SCP) patterns and behaviour in Asia, through an improved understanding and strengthened cooperation between Europe and Asia and within Asia, notably by mobilizing the private sector, i.e. SMEs, retailers, intermediary producer and consumer organisations, financial sector along with relevant public sector authorities.

Eligibility criteria: At least one organisation from a EU Member State (EU Member States + Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) and at least one organisation from an eligible Asian country (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China (excluding Hong Kong, Macau, and Chinese Taipei), India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, DPR Korea, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam).

Overall budget: �24 650 000

Deadline for submission: 14 March 2011

Read more at:
 http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/where/asia/regional-cooperation/environment/switch_en.htm

   DRUID Society Conference 2011 on Innovation, Strategy, and Structure

Call for Papers

The Danish Research Unit for Industrial Dynamics � (DRUID) has launched a second Call for Papers for the DRUID Society Conference 2011 on Innovation, Strategy, and Structure to be held in Copenhagen, Denmark, from June 15 to June 17, 2011.
DRUID 2011 intends to stimulate a lively debate about how technologies, economic systems and organizations evolve and co-evolve. DRUID 2011 will bring together researchers from around the world to exchange research results and to address open issues. The conference will focus on Entrepreneurship, Strategy, Organization, Intellectual Property Rights, Economic Development, Growth and Innovation issues.

Deadline for full paper submission: February 28, 2011.

Submission Guidelines, DRUID Awards, and Registration can be found at the conference website:
 http://www2.druid.dk/conferences/index.php?cf=48

   Eurostars: 6th cut off

EUREKA's Eurostars Programme is the first European funding and support programme dedicated to R&D performing SMEs. According to the EUREKA criteria, a Eurostars project includes any technological area finalised to the development of a new product, process or service. The Eurostars project involves at least two participants (legal entities) from two different Eurostars member countries. The main participant must be an R&D-performing SME from a Eurostars member Country.

Deadline: 24th March 2011

For further information please contact the EUREKA NCPs (EUREKA National Contact Points) in the 33 Countries involved.

 Read more about the Eurostars Programme.

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Interesting Initiatives
   The European technology transfer market
Technology-Market.eu is a European initiative which provides business opportunities in the Region through the free access to an EU database of 17813 technology profiles ( divided into 13539 Technology offers and 4274 Technology requests), continuously updated and directly listed on the website in above 350 technology-sectors.

This initiative is based on the results of an EU co-financed Project within the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6) and is connected to the Enterprise Europe Network.

 For further details please visit the project website at: http://www.technology-market.eu/wp/

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Publications
   OECD: Science, Technology and Industry Outlook 2010

The STI Outlook, issued by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development �OECD, reviews key trends in science, technology and innovation in OECD countries and a number of major emerging economies including Brazil, China, India, Russia and South Africa.

 Download the Science, Technology and Industry Outlook 2010

   UNCTAD: Information Economy Report 2010

The Information Economy Report 2010: ICT, Enterprises and Poverty Alleviation is the fifth in the flagship series published by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development - UNCTAD (INSME Member). In the 2010 edition, special attention is given to the potential impact of ICTs in enterprises for reducing poverty and improving livelihoods. The evidence presented in this Report suggests that more attention should be given by policymakers and other stakeholders to opportunities in this area.

 Download the report

   ICAEW: Global Enterprise Survey Report 2010

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales - ICAEW�s third annual Global Enterprise Survey shows that growth expectations are significantly higher in most regions than they were a year ago. Businesses are also positive about the effects of increasing globalisation. Since the 2009 survey, this issue expanded in the Asia-Pacific region to include 11 countries and this year, for the first time, the survey also covers Africa.

 Download the Global Enterprise Survey Report 2010

   EIF: European Private Equity Market Outlook

The report, issued by EIF �European Investment Bank (INSME Member) in collaboration with EVCA - European Private Equity and Venture Capital Association, provides a general overview of the European private equity (PE) market as of June 2010 based on industry data published by the EVCA, the EIF�s proprietary data and other third-party sources.

 Download the European Private Equity Market Outlook

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Recommended Websites
   Your Europe portal

Your Europe is a web portal, set up by the European Commission and EU Member States National authorities, structured in two sections: one dedicated to  the Citizens and one dedicated to  Business .
In particular, the Business section which provides multilingual practical information and online government services for companies looking for business in another EU country, has been recently renewed  with new content and a new more user friendly structure.

 Find out more at: http://ec.europa.eu/youreurope/

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Recommended Newsletter
   Innovation Daily
InnovationDAILY (ID), issued by Innovation America (IA), is a free daily electronic newsletter, reporting on the Daily Pulse of Global Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Angel/Seed and Venture Capital and Innovation Based Economic Development (IBED).

 To subscribe for free, please, visit the website at: http://www.innovationamerica.us/daily

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Events
   Highlighted Events

27th -28th January 2011
KIS-IP partnering event New ways to promote services innovation in Europe: the role of the structural funds"
Warsaw, Poland

The Forum, organised by the KIS Innovation Platform, a European initiative funded under Europe INNOVA, brings together some 150 participants from relevant national, regional and local authorities and public agencies. The KIS Partnering Forum discusses novel and groundbreaking approaches to supporting service innovation, which is of particular interest for stimulating regional development through new economic activities

 Download the Agenda

22nd March 2011
Symposium on Transatlantic EU-U.S. Cooperation on Innovation and Technology Transfer
Vienna, Austria
 
The EU-U.S. Symposium on Innovation and Technology Transfer, organised by the BILAT-USA Project, an initiative co-managed by Intrasoft International (INSME Member), aims to increase mutual understanding and raise awareness on open innovation processes and structure and operations of the technology transfer and innovation systems in Europe and the U.S.
 
Please note that deadline for registration at the event is March 15, 2011.

 

   Future International meetings, workshops, seminars selected by INSME

1st February 2011
Policies in support of high-growth innovative SMEs
Organized by empirica GmbH in the context of PRO INNO Europe
Brussels, Belgium 

2nd- 3rd February 2011
Sixth Global Congress on Combating Counterfeiting and Piracy
Organized by the World Intellectual Property Organization, INTERPOL and the World Customs Organization
Paris, France 

3rd-4th February 2011
4th EU Interregional Cooperation Forum
Held by INTERREG IVC Joint Technical Secretariat
Budapest, Hungary 

3rd February 2011
European Growth Summit 2011 & Europe's 500 Award Ceremony
Under the patronage of the European Parliament and Belgian Ministry of Economy and Reform
Brussels, Belgium 

7th- 11th February 2011
2nd ICT Enterprise Forum "Converging strategies for technological sovereignty"
Organized by AVANTE Business Consultancy
Havana, Cuba 

9th February 2011
The IPeuropAware "Towards Improved IP Support Services for European SMEs"
Organized by IPeuropeAware
Brussels, Belgium 

10th February 2011 
The 9th Annual European Financial Services Conference "Taking Stock of Reform: Fragmentation or Convergence?"
Hosted by Assonime, Kreab Gavin Anderson and Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Brussels, Belgium 

10th February 2011
Techinnov 2011
Organized within the framework of European Enterprise Network
Paris, France

13th - 14th February 2011
International Conference on Harnessing Technology (ICHT): "Challenges & Opportunities in GCC States � Renewable Energy Resources
Under the patronage of H.E Maqbool bin Ali Sultan Minister Commerce and Industry, Oman
Muscat, Sultanate of Oman

15th February 2011
EU-Japan Cooperation Seminar
EU-Japan Clusters Policies toward SMEs� Innovation
Brussels, Belgium 

16th-18th February 2011
13th Annual Corporate Venturing & Innovation Partnering Conference
Organized by IBF-International Business Forum
Newport Beach, CA, United States 

16th-18th February 2011
Second International Conference on Exploring Services Sciences
Organized within the framework of the Lifelong Learning Programme
Geneva, Switzerland

21st-22nd February 2011
2011 EFMD Entrepreneurship Conference "Does Entrepreneurship Matter? A view from Educators, Researchers, Policy makers and Entrepreneurs"
Organized by Tallinn School of Economics and Business Administration (TSEBA)
Tallin, Estonia 

24th February 2011
SciTech 2011 "Innovation UK"
Organized by PS-Public Service Events
The Barbican, London, UK 

2nd- 4th March 2011
FEI 2011 - The Front End of Innovation Europe
Organized by Institute for International Research- IIR USA
Berlin, Germany 

7th- 8th March 2011
The 12th MedTech Investing Europe Conference
Produced in collaboration with Imperial College London and �colePolytechniqueF�d�rale de Lausanne
Lausanne, Switzerland 

10th- 11th March 2011
7th Annual Meeting of the OECD LEED Forum on Partnerships and Local Governance "From Recession to Recovery"
Hosted by Organization for Economic, Co-operation and Development (OECD)
PalaisAuersperg, Vienna, Austria 

10th- 11th March 2011
Successful R&D in Europe: 3rd European Networking Event
Organized by Ministry of Innovation, Science and Research of the German State of North Rhine-Westphalia
D�sseldorf, Germany 

16th- 17th March 2011
Breakthrough Innovation 2011
Hosted by Connecting Group
Barcelona, Spain

20th- 22nd March 2011
Federal Economic Development Forum "Building a Competitive Future Through Innovative Partnerships"
Organized by International Economic Development Council (IEDC)
Washington, United States

21st March 2011
Lille Innovation Conference (LINC)
Organized by JINNOVE
Lille, France

22nd - 23rd March 2011
10th European Forum on Eco-Innovation "Towards a Resource Efficient Economy - From Policy to Action"
Organized by ETAP-Environmental Technologies Action Plan
Birmingham, United Kingdom 

23rd - 24th March 2011
2011 MIT Europe Conference "Innovation in a Networked World: Technology, People, and Places"
Organized by MIT-ILP Industrial Liaison Programme
Vienna, Austria 

25th March 2011
Clusters as Drivers of Competitiveness: Strategies and Policy Issues
Organized by the University of Fribourg
Fribourg, Switzerland 

29th- 31st March 2011
European Innovation Conference 2011
Co-organized by REG X and the Innovation Roundtable
Billund, Denmark 

29th- 30th March 2011
SME Economic Forum 2011
Organized by Asharqia Chamber
Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 

30th- 31st March 2011
TCI Conference "Inspiring Clusters in the Beginning of the New Decade"
Organized by TCI and the Baltic Innovation Agency - BIA
Tallinn, Estonia 

5th- 7th April 2011
4th PRO INNO Europe� Annual Partnering Event Innovating knowledge transfer
Hosted by European Patent Office (EPO) and organized in collaboration with the European Commission�s DG Enterprise and Industry
Munich, Germany 

24th- 26th April 2011
14th Private Sector Meeting for the Promotion of Trade and Joint Venture Investment among Islamic Countries "SMEs in Developing Economies of OIC Countries and the Role of Private Sector"
Organized by the General Secretariat of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI)
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

 

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