The 9th Week of Innovative Regions in Europe (WIRE) 2018 conference will be organised by Standortagentur Tirol in Innsbruck, Austria from 4th to 6th July 2018. The WIRE IX conference will provide a platform for stakeholders to have an in-depth discussion on the opportunities presented for research and innovation. A particular focus will lie on excellence driven programmes and extraordinary examples of interregional and cross-border open innovation practices throughout the EU (eg Smart City Project SINFONIA with Innsbruck (AT) and Bolzano (IT)). In order to increase awareness about the importance of regional innovation ecosystems, the need for action to develop further, the WIRE IX conference will be titled: The Power of Connectivity, Entrepreneurship and Basic Research. Smart Choices for innovative regional ecosystems WIRE 2018 will provide an opportunity for regional authorities, funding agencies, political and social institutions, regional networks, companies and EC DGs to participate and to ensure synergies with multi-level policies, exchange experiences and build new networks. WIRE 2018 will cover two cross-cutting themes woven into all parts of the programme: Digitisation (impacts on research and innovation, economy, society…) and Alpine Challenges (transcending into a larger European context: urbanisation vs. remoteness, innovation in rural areas, smart villages…) Three thematic tracks towards successful innovation ecosystems have been chosen to focus discussion and participation: 1) Basic Research, 2) Entrepreneurship, 3) Connectivity. The conference programme of WIRE IX is composed of the following building blocks 1) Plenary Sessions with Keynote Speakers, 2) Parallel Sessions, 3) “Hosted by” Sessions, 4) Face-to-Face Meetings, 5) Exhibition Area, 6) Professional Site Visits for Delegates WIRE IX will consist of an on-site event programme (Site Visits on 4th July) and a 2-day conference programme (5th to 6th July).

The Horizon 2020 work programme names the lack of innovation management capacity as “…an important barrier to creating economic impact…” and accordingly as a significant challenge for innovative SMEs. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that consulting services to address these gaps are either not sufficiently available in certain regions, not affordable or not sufficiently tailored to the specific needs of SMEs. In the course of this action, the Austrian consortium will support SMEs in addressing these factors hindering successful innovation cycles. Activities will be targeted at enhancing the innovation management capacity (EIMC) of SMEs and at providing substantial consulting and support services in the form of key account management (KAM) to beneficiaries of the Horizon 2020 SME instrument. The support will be delivered by experts well experienced in innovation related issues, working for the major innovation and research promotion agencies in Austria. Services will be provided in close cooperation and coordination with the National Contact Points and major regional and national stakeholders, guaranteeing a holistic approach and a high quality of services promoting the successful introduction of Austrian innovations to the European and international market.

A lack of innovation management capacity represents an important barrier to creating economic impact from innovation activities in SMEs. The H2020 Work Programme “Innovation in SMEs” foresees support services via the Enterprise Europe Network dealing with this issue. The Austrian consortium will support SMEs in addressing factors hindering successful innovation cycles. Activities will aim at (1) providing substantial consulting and support services in the form of Key Account Management (KAM) to beneficiaries of the SME instrument, Fast Track to Innovation and FET Open and at (2) enhancing the innovation management capacity (EIMC) of SMEs. Services will be provided in close cooperation and coordination with the National Contact Points and regional and national stakeholders. KAM and EIMC services will be carried out by experienced innovation experts that are all also involved in/closely connected to the provision of EEN services. This guarantees a seamless support via the services provided under H2020 and COSME, using synergies but avoiding the duplication of services. (1) Within the frame of the Key Account Management, partners will conduct company assessments, identify weaknesses in the SMEs’ innovation strategies and subsequently help SMEs to assign professional coaches. Coaches and SMEs will then develop a coaching plan and address these weaknesses. The process will be facilitated and accompanied by the EEN expert. Further support (e.g. the link to additional financial resources) will be provided and so the SME receives a vital service throughout the project. (2) EEN experts will also directly support a selected number of SMEs in improving their innovation management. This will be achieved through targeted innovation management consulting. SMEs in need of this specific type of consulting will be reached which show a high potential for successful market introduction of innovations and international growth.

A lack of innovation management capacity represents an important barrier to creating economic impact from innovation activities in SMEs. The H2020 Work Programme “Innovation in SMEs” foresees support services via the Enterprise Europe Network dealing with this issue. The Austrian consortium will support SMEs in addressing factors hindering successful innovation cycles. Activities will aim at (1) providing substantial consulting and support services in the form of Key Account Management (KAM) to beneficiaries of the H2020 SME instrument and at (2) enhancing the innovation management capacity (EIMC) of SMEs. Services will be provided in close cooperation and coordination with the National Contact Points and regional and national stakeholders. KAM and EIMC services will be carried out by experienced innovation experts that are all also involved in the provision of EEN services. This guarantees a seamless support via the services provided under H2020 and COSME, using synergies but avoiding the duplication of services. (1) Within the frame of the SME instrument partners will conduct company assessments, identify weaknesses in the SMEs’ innovation strategies and subsequently help SMEs to assign professional coaches. Coaches and SMEs will then develop a coaching plan and address these weaknesses. The process will be facilitated and accompanied by the EEN expert. Further support (e.g. the link to additional financial resources) will be provided and so the SME receives a vital service throughout the SME instrument project. (2) EEN experts will also directly support a selected number of high-potential SMEs in improving their innovation management. This will be achieved through targeted innovation management consulting. SMEs in need of this specific type of consulting will be reached, which may not benefit from the H2020 SME instrument while showing a high potential for successful market introduction of innovations and international growth.