Support network for the business ecosystem celebrates the 15th anniversary

The main goal of the Enterprise Europe Network is to help companies improve in the international market, in an innovative and competitive way; this year, the Network celebrates its 15^th anniversary. INESC TEC is a member of the EEN-PORTUGAL consortium and one of the more than 450 entities that are part of this Network, which is currently present in 40 countries and provides several support services to small and medium-sized enterprises – focusing on activities to support the transition to more sustainable and digital business models.

INESC TEC has been part of the Enterprise Europe Network since 2015, helping companies to establish international partnerships and collaboration endeavours, as well as strategy and innovation management activities. “Through the Enterprise Europe Network, we support companies in identifying international business, technology, or research and development partners, improving their innovation processes and defining the most relevant sources of funding at European level”, explained Cristina Barbosa.

According to the INESC TEC researcher, the advisory services – supported by a global network of business development experts – focus on international expansion and better business opportunities for SMEs in different domains: innovation, sustainability, digitalisation, internationalisation, access to funding mechanisms and European funding programmes, the European Single Market, commercial, technological and R&D partnerships, etc.

“The support to the design of business profiles, the contact with the Enterprise Europe Network international partners to identify potential commercial, production, transfer technology and other partnerships (boosting cooperation and worldwide business activity), and the participation in international B2B events promoted by the network’s partners are some of the examples of advisory services we provide. Concerning innovation, we carry out the diagnosis of the current setting and design an action plan to improve the strategy, activities, and internal processes of the organisations”, she mentioned.

The Network also relies on the involvement of Daniel Vasconcelos, head of INESC TEC Technology Licensing Office, as an ambassador for a first-line support in Intellectual Property issues (IP Helpdesk Ambassador).

“The management of Intellectual Property, as an innovation and internationalisation mechanism, is particularly crucial, because it allows to identify opportunities and exploit the generated value. INESC TEC has sought to share the institution’s experience in the management of said intangible assets, which are later transferred through the business sector – namely as spin-offs”, explained Daniel.

Regarding Intellectual Property, the Enterprise Europe Network highlights the European financing mechanism, available throughout the year (until all funds are allocated) to support companies in the processes related to property registration.

The Enterprise Europe Network is the largest support network for small and medium-sized enterprises in the world, bringing together more than 450 partners, namely chambers of commerce and industry entities, regional development organisations, universities, research centres and innovation agencies, with a presence in 40 countries.