In September 2023, we launched the I3-INSHAPE project, a 21-partner international collaboration under the European Union's relatively new I3 programme. I3 stands for: Interregional, Innovation and Investments that expresses the aim of the programme to foster interregional cooperation between SMEs across Europe.
One of the main objectives of the I3-INSHAPE project is to link innovations of SMEs in the sport and vitality sector to create a European Hub by scaling up their services to the EU market, and to shift healthcare towards care for health. The funding will enable the development of collaborations that would not have happened without the project. SMEs from the partners’ regions will be able to connect to other European networks/companies to realize their innovations in an interregional cooperation following a unique path. An important criterion is that the innovation has to be in the pre-market development phase (TRL 5 or 6) and the product or service will be on the market by the end of the project at the latest.
Within the project, one of the first steps in creating these interregional European cooperations was to develop the innovation idea of each Flagship company into a concrete project plan containing elements like data-driven technology development, user-led innovation, scale-up and commercialisation and financing actions. The Lahti region development company, LADEC was responsible for the practical implementation of this task, as they have huge experience in developing the conditions for business growth and competitiveness in the Lahti Region together with the municipalities. Under their coordination, the first steps were implemented by the MSE Hungarian Sports and Lifestyle Development Cluster with the help of the Dutch Sports & Technology Cluster, who leads the project, and with the involvement of the other partners.
Through the needs assessment it became clear that most of the Flagship companies need help in IT development, customer engagement, marketing, testing facilities and market information about different European markets.
Next the partner regions will offer collaborating partners to the current Flagship companies - Vinotion (NL), Blautic (SP), Onalabs (SP), CSE Entertainment (FI), Comeback Centre (FI), Tojsentekijat (FI). Those collaborating partners will later participate as business partners of the Flagship companies in their development plans. As a first step, each region has appointed one or more persons who are experts in business development and innovation process (IBS Managers – Innovation and Business Support Managers). They become the primary contact for the companies in their region and also get to know better the needs, motivations and development plans of the Flagship companies in other regions.
This was most effectively done through online presentations, while companies also put their needs and business plans on paper. Next, according to the needs, the regions recommend possible partner companies (co-developer SME), from which Flagship companies select the partner with whom they wish to establish a business relationship. Once selected, the co-developer companies become part of the project and can enjoy the same benefits as the other SME consortium partners.
The I3 programme and the financial support that it provides is an extraordinary occasion for the companies that join the project, not only because of the business opportunity, but also because of the wider network and the increased visibility the project gives them.
A further +35 companies will have the chance to take part in this journey later in the implementation phase.
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Project contact info:
- René Wijlens – Cluster Sports & Technology
rene.wijlens@sportsandtechnology.com
- Marc van der Zande – Cluster Sports & Technology
marc.vanderzande@sportsandtechnology.com
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA). Neither the European Union nor EISMEA can be held responsible for them.
