View this email in your browser (https://mailchi.mp/8b59d96b0cf8/the-julyaugust-issue-of-the-insme-newsletter...) ** ------------------------------------------------------------ ** July/August 2019, Issue n. 177 ------------------------------------------------------------ ** Updates on the life of the INSME Network ------------------------------------------------------------ INSME Secretary General at the EURADA Summer Course 2019 EURADA – The European Association of Development Agencies (http://www.eurada.org/) (INSME Member from Belgium) organized from the 2nd to the 4th of July a summer course on the preparation of European Project Proposals. The event held in Brussels at EURADA premises addressed representatives from development agencies and other stakeholders from clusters, industrial associations, chambers of commerce, startups, incubators, etc. working to spur innovation. Continue reading... (http://www.insme.org/?p=6531&preview=true) The INSMEAcademy: join the next session INSME is very glad to announce the upcoming session of the INSMEAcademy! On the 10th of September at 12 p.m. (Central European Summer Time) Despina Anastasopoulos, Research and Innovation Manager at INTRASOFT International (https://www.intrasoft-intl.com/) (holding INSME vice-presidency) will give a presentation on how big data are impacting the transport domain. Continue reading... (http://www.insme.org/?p=6534&preview=true) ** News and contributions from the INSME Members ------------------------------------------------------------ META Group supports innovations improving European citizens quality of life META Group (http://www.meta-group.com/Pages/default.aspx) (whose vice-president and co-founder Mr. Andrea Di Anselmo holds INSME vice-presidency) has signed a contract for the next three years to collaborate with the Active Assisted Living Programme (AALP) (http://www.aal-europe.eu/) on projects aiming at facing the challenges of the ageing of our societies. Continue reading... (http://www.insme.org/?p=6536&preview=true) How to unleash the development potential of Women Entrepreneurs in Asia – A video by the Asian Development Bank Small and medium enterprises represent 97% of all businesses in Asia and contribute to the region GDP from 20% to 50%. According to an independent evaluation by the Asian Development Bank - ADB (https://www.adb.org/) (INSME Member) on its 5.3 $ billion spent to support SMEs from 2005 to 2017, poor access to finance and market value chains, and a difficult business environment are the main barriers hindering a full exploitation of SMEs potential, in particular of those led by women. Continue reading... (http://www.insme.org/?p=6540&preview=true) IMP³rove launched a “Mini MBA” on Innovation Management Developing innovation management system is the pre-requisite for companies’ future profitable growth and competitiveness, but many organizations do not have appropriate knowledge. IMP³rove Academy (https://www.improve-innovation.eu/) (INSME Member from Germany) has developed a “Mini MBA” to respond to this need. (http://www.insme.org/?p=6543&preview=true) Continue reading... (http://www.insme.org/?p=6543&preview=true) (http://www.insme.org/?p=6543&preview=true) Business Angels Network – BAE re-elected Luigi Amati as President The Board of the Business Angels Network – BAE (https://www.businessangelseurope.com/) (INSME Member from Belgium) has recently elected Mr. Luigi Amati as its President for the second mandate. For the next two years Mr. Amati will be committed to strengthen the results achieved so far and together with the BAE team will work to make the organisation the most relevant voice of angel investing in Europe. Continue reading... (http://www.insme.org/?p=6547&preview=true) ** Tenders & Calls ------------------------------------------------------------ Mobility Exchange programme for SME staff (MobiliseSME) This call financed under the European Programme for Employment and Social Innovation "EASI" 2014-2020 aims at supporting cross-border secondments of employees, managers and staff from small and medium enterprises in particular. The ultimate goal is to provide these human resources with the opportunity to develop skills and competences in host companies while offering SMEs the chance to establish new contacts abroad or strengthen already existing partnerships. The Commission will support actions for the duration of 24 months including the following elements: consultations, surveys and market research for a proper identification of the needs of hosting and sending companies; development of the outreach and matching strategy, through enhancing mechanisms of co-operation and dissemination; developing rules and procedures summarising the motivations of both sides, the learning objectives and clear description of the conditions and requirements to make secondments beneficial for all parties involved. The total budget for the EU co-financing of projects under this call is estimated at EUR 2,050,000 and the EU grant may not exceed 95% of the total eligible costs of the action. The deadline for sending proposals is the 17th of September 2019. Continue reading... (https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=629&langId=en&callId=573&furtherCalls=yes) MED’Innovant 2019 – Innovative solution competitions for sustainable Mediterranean city The Euroméditerranée Urban Development Agency is looking for innovative solutions in the field of smart and sustainable cities. The solutions should have an impact on: improving the urban experience using digital tools; offering a pleasant and hospitable urban environment; making the city greener and more energy-efficient. Two winners will be selected and will be recognized with: €40,000 to be shared between the two winners; dedicated in kind support such as three months’ membership to join an accelerator programme; legal support; promotion of the innovative solutions in a showroom; mentoring and visibility through press and social media and much more. Applications must be sent in French only by the 29th of September. Continue reading... (https://euromediterranee.fr/medinnovant-innovative-solutions) The 2021 Rolex Awards for Enterprise The 2021 Rolex Awards for Enterprise is a programme of Rolex SA to recognize outstanding ideas that advance human knowledge and well-being. Acceptable applications will be proposals that have not yet been implemented or that are completed only in part, that fall under one of the following categories: the environment, science and health, applied technology, cultural heritage and exploration. The Awards are open to any individual aged over 18 years when applying while no institutional and collective applications are allowed. Five winners will be selected by the jury and awarded with: 200,000 CHF (ca. 180.000,00 EUR) each and a Rolex chronometer. Additional prizes might be awarded to worthy applications and the amount of the prize will be at the discretion of the Rolex SA. The deadline for submitting applications is the 15th of April 2020. Continue reading... (https://extranet.rolexawards.com/) ** Publications ------------------------------------------------------------ Aid for Trade at a Glance 2019 The 2019 Aid for Trade at a Glance recently released by the OECD shows that economic diversification and empowerment are key objectives of the trade and development strategies and policies of the World Trade Organization - WTO Members and observers. The report states that on the one side, economic empowerment of developing countries can be supported through aid programmes aimed at improving the way in which marginalized groups, including women and youth, participate in and benefit from international trade. On the other SMEs are encountering difficulties in scouting and attracting the skilled employees they need to be competitive and trade. Continue reading... (http://www.insme.org/?p=6551&preview=true) The European Small Business Finance Outlook The European Small Business Finance Outlook provides an overview on the main markets relevant to the European Investment Fund – EIF (INSME Member) such as equity, guarantees, securitisation and microfinance. On a more general note, the outlook points out that one in four SMEs still report severe difficulties in accessing finance. This highlights important structural credit market failures preventing market supply from satisfying SMEs’ financing demands. In addition, insufficient public support for external financing markets continues to be a concern for EU SMEs. Continue reading... (http://www.insme.org/?p=6554&preview=true) ** Highlighted events ------------------------------------------------------------ Agorada+ 2019 “Innovative defence technologies for the virtual battlefield” 18 – 19 of September 2019 | Kajaani, Finland The European Commission together with the European Association of Development Agencies - EURADA (http://www.eurada.org/) (INSME Member) and Kainuun Etu – a regional development company of the Kainuu Region in Finland, the Association of Finnish Defence and Aerospace Industries - AFDA are the organizers of Agorada+ 2019 on “Innovative defence technologies for the virtual battlefield”. On the 18th and 19th of September in Kajaani, Finland the event will bring together companies and regional organisations to examine the opportunities offered by the European Defence Fund - EDF, and other programmes that can support the development of defence technologies in the areas of communications, simulation and modelling, and virtual training. To facilitate partnership opportunities, matchmaking and b2b activities will be organized. Participants will also have the chance to enjoy a field trip and experience virtual simulations. Continue reading... (https://futurebattlefieldtech.eu/) 18th International Entrepreneurship Forum (IEF) Conference “Entrepreneurship as a Social Movement: Art, Technology, Design and Sustainable Entrepreneurial Transformation” 16 – 18 December 2019 | Goa, India INSME partners with the International Entrepreneurship Forum to the 18th IEF Conference on “Entrepreneurship as a Social Movement: Art, Technology, Design and Sustainable Entrepreneurial Transformation” taking place from the 16th to the 18th of December in Goa, India. The event will be an occasion for researchers, project developers, policy makers, practitioners and students to discuss how entrepreneurship can be linked to social and economic norms and encourage sustainable diversity. The conference programme will foresee a full set of events including a conference, boot-camps and workshops in order to facilitate knowledge exchange, create new partnerships, access new sources of information and share creative ideas. Continue reading... (http://ieforums.org/) ** Future International meetings, workshops, seminars selected by INSME ------------------------------------------------------------ September ------------------------------------------------------------ The XVII International Triple Helix Conference (https://triple-helix.co.za/) Organized by The Triple Helix Association 9 - 11 of September | Cape Town, South Africa NETVAL Summer Conference "Creating value from research" (https://www.netvalsc2019.it/) Organized by NETVAL 16 - 19 of September | Rome, Italy WIPO Workshop on Intellectual Property as a strategic asset for SMEs and Start-ups (https://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/details.jsp?meeting_id=53506) Organized by WIPO, Italian Patent and Trademark Office, Confapi, ICC-Italy 17 of September |, Naples, Italy T (https://www.netvalsc2019.it/) he European Research and Innovation Days (https://ec.europa.eu/info/research-and-innovation/events/upcoming-events/eur...) - bringing stakeholders together to shape future research and innovation policy. Organized by the European Commission 24 - 26 of September | Brussels, Belgium 36th IASP World Conference on Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (https://www.iasp.ws/activities/events/events-overview---old/36th-iasp-world-...) The 4th Industrial Revolution: areas of innovation and science parks as key boosters for a successful transition. Organized by the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation - IASP 24 - 27 of September | Nantes, France October ------------------------------------------------------------ Global SME Finance Forum 2019: The Convergence of the Real and Financial Sectors in SME (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001xVWbcTKCuTlEM149cYhQ_Og9ng-02xywdpl0NKjZ5D7slQPeKgXUPLBpJU7AP60WNQiJtrFNND3TPBrRx1tVj8gR_CMXV4lxC6HSUiXx8XuAk_CwgLGYq3uu_3X0U_5nU5s_n6bLBMZCVKw6loH0D-QZI9AYmoKkOICrIBvvy9ZWmVi09rZcRTOs5_4bX_FU&c=h9ex4mHUR8CqYQkc4kEB7pTjpQKsQV3BO_Fauz9uhRLGbzGvE8kUfA==&ch=hsYCbkwHGhODhwxDnZN-hUZ2dSqMxnCz1QoXQL55SCjcZIGaLEDl0w==) Organized by the SME Finance Forum 7 - 9 of October | The Netherlands EBN Congress 2019 (https://ebn.eu/index.php?lnk=M1lHN01YZWdtT1h5ZXNsRStLQVM0OTVwRWJwYzZWYjhJM2N...) Organized by EBN Innovation Network 23 – 25 of October | Rome, Italy November ------------------------------------------------------------ High-growth technology business conference 2019 (https://www.epo.org/learning-events/events/conferences/boosting-your-strateg...) Organized by The European Patent Office - EPO and the Licensing Executives Society International - LESI 4 – 5 of November | Dublin, Ireland World IP Forum “IP as a Powerhouse for Innovation and Economic Growth” (https://www.worldipforum.com/index.php) Organized by World IP Forum (WIPF) 6 – 8 of November | Taipei, Taiwan ============================================================ ** (https://www.facebook.com/INSME-The-International-Network-for-Small-and-Mediu...) ** (https://twitter.com/INSME_) ** (https://www.linkedin.com/authwall?trk=gf&trkInfo=AQGWXMu6CIhUZAAAAWnKJLhwr3ifeaO-IEJq7UF7xSReXOJ9VoX0Dits4fjwf9dBz1-KigYncZyu5YjShoW08lNUdzKuKFqD6UUq2b3LTzFQKGeNAcqGPG-CxpyeZRX2lBaOCK0=&originalReferer=http://www.insme.org/&sessionRedirect=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fcompany%2Finsme---the-international-network-for-small-and-medium-enterprises%3Ftrk%3Dbiz-companies-cym) ** (http://www.insme.org) Copyright © 2019 INSME - The International Network for SMEs, All rights reserved. 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