View this email in your browser (https://mailchi.mp/42bd79fb77bb/insme_newsletter_issue189_2020-1287699?e=2d8...) ** ------------------------------------------------------------ ** Issue n. 189 ------------------------------------------------------------ News from INSME The 2020 INSME Annual Meeting goes digital (http://www.insme.org/?p=8386&preview=true) 2020 is being an extremely challenging year. The health emergency is influencing several activities and in a spirit of prudence, INSME took the decision to hold its annual meeting digitally. On the 20th of October the INSME community will virtually gather to attend the XVI INSME General Assembly. A new member on board: welcome to H&D Partners (http://www.insme.org/?p=8389&preview=true) INSME has recently welcomed a new member on board: H&D Partners. As a first step of this collaboration, H&D Partners and INSME together with the University of Shenyang, organized an online on “Sustainable business models for incubators and accelerators in China”. Insights from the first edition of the INSME Innovation Management Programme (http://www.insme.org/?p=8392&preview=true) Within the framework of the INSME Innovation Management Programme, IMP^3rove (INSME Member) experts, Martin Ruppert and Hannah Leighton, held an interesting session on “How SMEs can leverage sustainability to drive innovation”. INSME looks for a Project Officer (http://www.insme.org/insme-hires-a-new-project-officer/) INSME is looking for a project officer to join the Secretariat based in Rome, Italy. The ideal candidate has a strong interest in SMEs, innovation and technology transfer issues, experience in EU project management and proficiency in English. Updates and contributions from INSME Members Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development and Amazon launch the e-EMPOWER initiative (http://www.insme.org/?p=8395&preview=true) Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development (holding INSME vice presidency) and Amazon.ae joined forces to launch e-EMPOWER, a free online education programme for Abu Dhabi-based enterprises that are willing to start a new online business or to grow an existing one. Qatar Development Bank’s Revive Programme to support SMEs recovery (http://www.insme.org/?p=8398&preview=true) In this challenging time, many organisations are implementing measures and initiatives that can offer support to small and medium enterprises. One of these is the “Revive Programme” promoted by Qatar Development Bank (INSME Board Member). WIPO Global Innovation Index 2020 (http://www.insme.org/?p=8402&preview=true) The World Intellectual Property Organization – WIPO (INSME Member) has recently released the 13th edition of the Global Innovation Index (GII). The report ranks the innovation performance of 129 economies around the world based on 80 different indicators. What's new The AfrIPI project promotes IP in Africa (http://www.insme.org/?p=8405&preview=true) AfrIPI is an international cooperation project funded by the European Union and co-funded by the European Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) whose aim is to support African authorities to approximate the European IP standards and integrate in the global economy. Calls and opportunities The Future and Emerging Technologies (FET) Innovation LaunchPad call A new call within the frame of the FET Innovation LaunchPad (which is part of the European Innovation Council) has been recently launched. It supports activities focused on commercialisation processes, market and competitiveness analysis, technology assessment, verification of innovation potential, consolidation of intellectual property rights, business case development. Successful initiatives are required to the following: * Added innovation potential with respect to the FET project from which this innovation originates. * Extent of economic and/or societal benefits resulting from this innovation as identified in the proposal. * Suitability of measures for taking the innovation beyond the research world, including through engagement with prospective exploitation partners, other stakeholders, users or society. A lump sum up to € 100,000 per project is available and the application process will close on the 14th of October 2020. More information is available at this page (https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/horizon2020/en/news/fet-innovation-launchpad...) . IP Booster: Smart, expert IP advice for public research organisations European Universities and Public Research Organisations (PROs) which are generating high-quality research and are eager to improve its impact on the market, are trying to better address IP issues associated with commercialisation, are searching for experts who can help to develop a successful intellectual property strategy can access “IP Booster”, a free service funded by the European Commission and implemented by META Group (http://www.meta-group.com/Pages/default.aspx) (holding INSME vice-presidency) and ClearViewIP (https://www.clearviewip.com/) . In particular, the “IP Booster” will help research institutions to: * determine the type and amount of IP protection needed for the proposed project’s intangible assets; * identify the best commercialisation pathways; * conduct a thorough due diligence assessing the quantity and quality of IP assets generated by the project and estimate their future value; * prepare the project’s patent, design and trademark applications; * provide advice and support in negotiating technology transfer agreements. The next cut-off date is the 30th of October 2020. Please visit this page (https://ipbooster.meta-group.com/) to find out more information or in case of any question contact ipbooster@meta-group.com (mailto:ipbooster@meta-group.com) . Pan-European advanced manufacturing assistance and training for SMEs The European Commission opens a call under the Horizon 2020 Programme to support manufacturing SMEs by providing them access to advanced manufacturing expertise as well as access to relevant training programmes in order to increase their competitiveness. According to the call requirements, two main elements have to be provided: * Advice and support: to guide SMEs towards a modern and sustainable production. * Training: the roll-out of an advanced manufacturing training programme that will include training services and the development of framework(s) for training programmes ready to be scaled-up under the European Social Fund. The total available budget is €5.7 million. The deadline is the 1st of December 2020. Detailed information is available here (https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opport...) . GenerationS is looking for innovations in biodegradable coatings GenerationS (https://en.generation-startup.ru/) (INSME Member) is looking for cutting-edge solutions in the field of biodegradable coatings for controlled release fertilizers. Check here (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XCVG0v5EPChB-UfEjpCUiv8hFn7ovPN0/view) all the requirements needed to take part in this initiative promoted by GenerationS in participation with one of the biggest world fertilizer producer. The selected technology will receive investments and develop significant collaborations with startups active in biodegradable controlled-release fertilizers coating. To apply, please contact the INSME Secretariat or get in touch directly with Dr. Ani Oganesyan at this email address. (mailto:secretariat@insme.org) ============================================================ Contents of the month ** Up- and re- skilling in micro and small enterprises (http://www.insme.org/?p=8408&preview=true) The Directorate-General for Employment Social Affairs and Inclusion of the European Commission has recently published “Up- and re- skilling in micro and small enterprises”, a study elaborated with the collaboration of a group of researchers led by the Centre for European Policy Studies. ** (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLN5ZGI10Qc&list=PLqCtRiBGyIkjsus05iJ9MetAju3kJi7aa&index=8) ** Does This Change Everything? Small business gets sick – Listen to the EIB’s podcast (http://www.insme.org/?p=8413&preview=true) The European Investment Bank is exploring the effects of the Covid-19 in “Does This Change Everything?” a series of podcasts with experts. One of the talks was dedicated to the challenges small businesses are facing. Upcoming events Given the current situation, events' dates may be subject to changes therefore, in case of interest, we invite you to check the dedicated websites. 6 – 8 of October | Online event ** OECD Forum on Green Finance and Investment (https://www.oecd.org/cgfi/) 14 of October | Kazan, Russia ** 23rd TCI Global Conference, Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia (https://www.tci-network.org/events/kazan-to-host-the-23rd-tci-global-confere...) 20 of October | Online event ** XVI INSME General Assembly (http://www.insme.org/the-2020-insme-annual-meeting-goes-digital/) 26 – 28 of October | Online event ** Global SME Finance Forum 2020 (https://www.smefinanceforum.org/post/global-sme-finance-forum-2020) 28 – 29 of October | Online event ** European Angel Investment Summit (http://europeanangelsummit.com/) 3 - 4 of November | Online event ** EBN innovation Network Congress 2020 "Regional Ecosystems Shaping European Innovation" (http://www.ebncongress.eu/) 11 November | Online event ** AGORADA+2020 (http://www.eurada.org/upcoming-events/agorada2020/) 16 - 20 of November | Online Event ** 2020 Annual Meeting & Leadership Meeting of the International Trademark Association (https://www.inta.org/2020Annual/Pages/Home.aspx) 24 – 26 of November | Online Event ** 2020 International Triple Helix Summit (https://triplehelixsummit2020.triplehelixassociation.org/) 1 – 3 of December | Online Event ** IASP's 37th World Conference "The human factor: People, communities and their innovation ecosystems" (https://www.iasp.ws/activities/events/events-overview---old/37th-iasp-world-...) ** Website (http://www.insme.org) ** Twitter (https://twitter.com/INSME_) ** Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/INSME-The-International-Network-for-Small-and-Mediu...) ** LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/insme---the-international-network-for-small...) 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