Central European SME Gateway to Key-enabling Technology
Infrastructures - Sparking a new Transnational KET Innovation Ecosystem
CE as model region for an access & service network for SME to bring smart solutions from idea to market readiness Smart solutions derive from applying key enabling technologies (KET) such as micro-nanoelectronics or optical techn. compounds and advanced materials and thus lifting products, processes and services to a new techn. level. SME in food, transport & health are now able to access newest infrastructures, labs & techn. services through regional channels: KET access & service points at business support or applied research organisations in 8 CE regions join forces to act in synergy & across national borders, to ensure that SME are connected & serviced by the best fitting supplier, even if located abroad. Regional access bridges cultural & language barriers. Standard operations but tailored to each single SME ensure reliability & trust.
5 business support organisations from PL, CR, CZ, DE, IT & 3 applied research institutes from AT, HU & SL develop & test the necessary operational models & tools. The Lead Partners research on the EU KET inventory of technol. infrastructures revealed high disparities for available KET services in CE. The project KETGATE will change that, enabling transnational KET techn. collaborations among RTOs to bridge service gaps and enable SME across CE to access high level techn. services. SME can thus test new technol. using innovative machines & laboratories, before they invest in new machines or techn., which may not work for them.
Once validated, collaboration agreements strengthen the KET access & service network. The tools & services, business & collaboration models are available as starter-kits & toolboxes, so that the network can grow towards a KET Innovation Ecosystem, enabling SME to bring smarter solutions quicker to market, levering private and public investments and supporting the dynamic development of KET knowhow & application in CE.