Innovation Agents, an initiative by the ACR to support SMEs

SMEs usually have to face manifold challenges, be it: customer relations, production, marketing, resources etc. No wonder innovation is not amongst the first challenges to be addressed. The Danish Technological Institute (DTI) offers so called innovation checks to companies where fresh minds may be helpful to develop prospects and detect innovation potential. The ACR visited the DTI during a study trip in 2015 and was inspired by this programme.
The two Danish trainers Knud Erik Hilding-Hamann (Director of the programme) and Erik Hallgren (Senior Consultant) held a five day seminar to introduce the concept of “Innovation Agents” to the ACR network. 23 participants of several ACR institutes discussed in the course of the training, what is meant by innovation and how to introduce this concept to the SME landscape in Austria. Thereby an innovation agent is defined as “broker of knowledge and technical expertise to initiate innovation cooperation for SMEs”.
First innovation check-ups have already been organised, companies have been met and various issues have been discussed. With this initiative the ACR institutes are opening another way for SMEs to be one step ahead of their competitors.