INNOWWIDE Call 2 for applications for Viability Assessment Projects (VAPs) in international markets

Submitted by Alina Danieles… on 19 January 2020

Deadline for application: 31 March, 2020

The Horizon 2020 (H2020) funded INNOWWIDE pilot Coordination and Support Action (CSA) aims to bring innovative European SMEs to the forefront of international markets by funding Viability Assessment Projects (VAPs) in cooperation with local stakeholders around the world, creating the conditions to increase the uptake of European innovative solutions in markets outside Europe. Developing a new product-market combination with a strategic international partner outside the EU or its Associated Countries can be very challenging for SMEs in terms of technological & financial risks and market barriers. Before starting it is essential to assess first the technical feasibility as well as a deep understanding of the financial, legal, market and cultural aspects in the target foreign markets.

Viability Assessment Projects (VAPs) are a comprehensive, balanced and coherent set of preliminary technical, market, legal and socioeconomic assessments intended to validate the viability of international, innovative businesses solutions along emerging global value chains.

INNOWWIDE is launching the 2nd call for proposals focusing on supporting innovative European SMEs and start-ups in targeting markets of developing countries, large emerging economies (Brazil, Russia, India, China, Mexico etc.) and developed countries. The budget available for the 2nd Call is €4.2M (to be divided approximately one third per target country group).

The Viability Assessment Projects (VAPs) have a maximum duration of 6 months. The INNOWWIDE financial support rate is fixed at 70% of eligible costs with a fixed grant of €60,000 Euros for each assessment project. 

The funded VAPs must involve combinations of the following activities:

1. Co-creation and technology uptake preparatory work (innovation and technology transfer services)

a. Definition of a future International Cooperation RTDI Project for co-creation or technology adaptation (including where appropriate frugal Innovation) with the local strategic subcontractor/s (compulsory) b. Analysis of the IP environment c. Technology scouting and novelty verification d. Technology valuation e. Technology legal situation analysis f. Technology protection & valorisation strategy design g. Certification and homologation compliance verification. Compulsory regulatory technical certification, testing and benchmarking activities h. Technology partnership matchmaking i. Small scale proof of concept awareness (trial and assimilation, further RTDI preparatory work)

2. Market prospection and business model development

2.1 Market research (desk & field studies):

a) Business opportunities early survey detection (pre-conceptualisation) b) Qualitative analysis (consumer analysis: segments, preferences, patterns, motivations, opinions, attitudes, values, culture, …) c) Product commercial research (local customer experience oriented: concept, design, supply, use…) d) Market quantitative analysis (real, potential, tendencies) e) Competition analysis (market share, positioning, value propositions, value chains…) f) Analysis of potential partners for distribution and marketing g) Analysis of potential suppliers h) PESTLE and market barriers analysis (social, economic, environmental, technological and legal issues)

2.2. Compliance verification:

a) Administrative & legal Freedom To Operate (FTO)/ due diligence verification b) Business related Social and cultural best practices identification and implementation planning

2.3. Business prospection trips (limited and duly justified):

a) Trade fairs/ conferences/ info days/ networking and matchmaking events b) Joint workshops/ meetings with potential partners c) Workshops with partners to prepare joint RTDI proposals/ projects

2.4. Specific promotional technical material preparation (technology valorization oriented)

See the INNOWWIDE Call 2 guidelines for full details of the possible activities.

Detailed information on the call is avaiable here.  Registration link can be accessed here.

The call was published on innowwide.eu website here. © 2019 INNOWWIDE.EU

Third Country
Mexico Brazil China India Black Sea
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