View this email in your browser (https://mailchi.mp/2610b05f844c/insme_newsletter_issue186_2020-1287384?e=2d8...) ** ------------------------------------------------------------ ** Issue n. 186 ------------------------------------------------------------ News from INSME The journey through the "why, what and how of innovation management" continues! (http://www.insme.org/?p=7830&preview=true) “Innovation is the central issue in economic prosperity” wrote Micheal Porter. With this in mind and by drawing upon the expertise of innovation experts worldwide, INSME is promoting a new learning programme which is a journey through the why, what and how of innovation management. INSME welcomes SIMEST as new strategic member (http://www.insme.org/?p=7833&preview=true) INSME is glad to welcome a new strategic member on board: SIMEST, the Export and Internationalization Hub (together with SACE) of Cassa Depositi e Prestiti Group. The NEXT SOCIETY: INSME promotes a series of Digital Policy Labs (http://www.insme.org/?p=7836&preview=true) INSME organizes a series of policy labs in the framework of the EU co-funded project "The NEXT SOCIETY". The first one will be focused on the experience of the Tunisian Start-up Act, the first legislation which paved the way for the country to become a start-up nation and a digital hub. Updates and contributions from INSME Members META Group wins the largest contract ever awarded by the European Commission to support impact from research projects! (http://www.insme.org/?p=7839&preview=true) META Group (holding INSME Vice Presidency) is the leading partner of “Impact Booster”, a consortium which won the largest contract on Dissemination and Exploitation ever awarded by the European Commission. Qatar Development Bank launches new FinTech Incubator and Accelerator Programmes (http://www.insme.org/?p=7842&preview=true) Qatar Development Bank (INSME Board Member) has recently announced the launch of a new initiative: the FinTech Incubator and Accelerator Programmes which will focus on key areas such as payment solutions, solutions for SMEs, Islamic FinTech, and regulatory technology. ANIMA Investment Network and FEMISE launch the first Mediterranean Innovation Scoreboard (http://www.insme.org/?p=7846&preview=true) Within the framework of The NEXT SOCIETY Project, FEMISE - in collaboration with ANIMA Investment Network (INSME Member) - has developed a Mediterranean Innovation Scoreboard which includes some of the peculiarities of the Region and shows the progresses (or lacks) achieved so far. Calls and opportunities Bpifrance Challenge for African Startups Looking to Expand to France & Europe Start-ups based or mainly operating in Africa and which are looking to raise funds, between €1 and €3 million, to finance that expansion are invited to take part in the Bpifrance challenge. The winner will have the opportunity to meet French, European and African investors and will be invited to the 2021 edition of Vivatech, one of the biggest start-up and tech event in Europe. The deadline for submissions is the 30th of September 2020. Discover more here (https://portal.africarena.com/challenge/bpifrance_challenge) . The European Patent Office opens the patent research grants call for proposals 2020 Within its Academic Research Programme the European Patent Office (EPO) opened a call for proposals and will offer grants up to € 100,000 to projects addressing a diversity of thematic areas among which the impact of patents on innovation, the role of IP in technology transfer, commercialisation, and/or investment activities, impact of public policy and the regulatory landscape on the use of patents by SMEs and PROs across Europe. The deadline for applications is the 16th of June 2020. Find out more details at this page (https://www.epo.org/news-issues/news/2020/20200421.html) . The European Commission launches the Green Deal call The European Commission is reinforcing the Green Deal with this call under the programme Horizon 2020 to fight climate change, foster a sustainable transition to a cleaner, greener, fairer society, and engage citizens in social innovation. Projects are expected to deliver actual results and concrete solutions based on research and innovation to reach the Green Deal main priorities. The deadline for giving your online feedback for the call is the 3rd of June 2020. Find out more at this page (https://ec.europa.eu/info/research-and-innovation/strategy/european-green-de...) . Apply to the Corporate Startup Stars The Corporate Start-up Stars, the award promoted by the international advisory firm Mind the Bridge, celebrates its 5th edition this year. The aim of the 2020’s edition is to foster the collaboration between corporates and start-ups at a global level in order to enable established companies to innovate and start-ups to scale up. The deadline for Corporate applications is the 7th of July 2020. More information is available here (https://mindthebridge.com/corporate-startup-stars/#awards) . ============================================================ What’s new ** Colombia joins the OECD and becomes its 37th member country (http://www.insme.org/?p=7850&preview=true) On the 28th of April 2020, Colombia officially became the 37th member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the third country from the Latin America and Caribbean region to join this prestigious organisation after Mexico and Chile. Contents of the month ** SME focus - Long-term strategy for the European industrial future (http://www.insme.org/?p=7853&preview=true) The analysis provided by the Policy Department for Economic, Scientific, and Quality of Life Policies at the request of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy of the European Parliament is an overview of the current SME policies and an analysis of the coherence between these policies and Europe’s long-term industrial strategy. ** (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkZcToN0oWY&list=PL7m903CwFUgkrHNNO9KbnWKYrELPIp811&index=7) ** The economic impact of Covid-19 in a podcast from the World Economic Forum (http://www.insme.org/?p=7857&preview=true) The World Economic Forum has launched a series of podcasts, entitled “World vs Virus podcast” to help listeners to understand the impacts of coronavirus on society, business, and economy with the dissemination of the latest news, research, and analysis regarding the virus. 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. 9 of June | Online Event ** Trieste Eastern Europe Investment Forum (https://mcusercontent.com/47a0f24f628e4b7ec96b2f720/files/0200faad-3e41-4196...) 11 of June | Online Event ** EBAN (European Business Angels Netwok) Cork - Changing Worlds Online Webinar (https://ti.to/corkbic/changing-worlds-webinar) 15 - 17 of June | Online Event ** 18th International Triple Helix Conference (https://events.tuni.fi/thc2020/) 28 – 29 of October | Brussels, Belgium ** European Angel Investment Summit (http://europeanangelsummit.com/) 3 - 4 of November | Brussels, Belgium ** EBN innovation Network Congress 2020 "Regional Ecosystems Shaping European Innovation" (http://www.ebncongress.eu/) 16 - 20 of November | Online Event ** 2020 Annual Meeting & Leadership Meeting of the International Trademark Association (https://www.inta.org/2020Annual/Pages/Home.aspx) ** 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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