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Subsidy scheme to support innovation expenditures and innovation outputs (VIA)
Published on 09 October 2020
Netherlands
Groningen
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
The Northern Netherlands Innovation Monitor found that there was a need among SMEs to have a subsidy scheme that funds organisational innovations. The monitor also found that the most successful SME’s are those that also partake in organisational innovation. The VIA subsidy schemes stimulates SME’s to further develop their organisation.
The VIA provides subsidy for SME’s to hire an independent expert for the development and implementation of a new way of organising, a new business model, or a collaboration with other parties. The main aim is to get SME’s within the region to become more future-oriented and increase their ability to innovate. The budget for this fund was 1,5 million E, with a maximum subsidy per application of 12.500 E. The current success rate of this subsidy scheme is 80%. The VIA embraced organisational innovation after the innovation monitor showed a strong desire among SME’s to get funding for organisational innovation.
The type of organisational innovation or business model innovation is very diverse. An interesting example is the case of a medical enterprise whom this subsidy scheme helped to hire external expertise to develop a new revenue model. This allowed the enterprise to enter new (future) markets.
The VIA provides subsidy for SME’s to hire an independent expert for the development and implementation of a new way of organising, a new business model, or a collaboration with other parties. The main aim is to get SME’s within the region to become more future-oriented and increase their ability to innovate. The budget for this fund was 1,5 million E, with a maximum subsidy per application of 12.500 E. The current success rate of this subsidy scheme is 80%. The VIA embraced organisational innovation after the innovation monitor showed a strong desire among SME’s to get funding for organisational innovation.
The type of organisational innovation or business model innovation is very diverse. An interesting example is the case of a medical enterprise whom this subsidy scheme helped to hire external expertise to develop a new revenue model. This allowed the enterprise to enter new (future) markets.
Resources needed
The budget for this fund was 1,5 million E, and the costs to set up and run the practice contain about 5% of that amount.
Evidence of success
The VIA has been able to provide subsidies for almost a thousand projects. Having a subsidy that supports organisational innovation was strongly desired by SMEs throughout the region, and, thus, really meets a need. It also allows SMEs to keep renewing and innovate their organisation to keep up with (and stay ahead of) the fast-changing world around us. Evaluation via our regional innovation monitor showed how the VIA helped organisational innovation.
Potential for learning or transfer
This good practice shows that the way you organise instruments can help you broaden your focus and help SME’s with what they need to make their organisation more innovative.
Good practice owner
Organisation
Northern Netherlands Provinces Alliance
Netherlands
Groningen
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