Meeting the expectations of small and medium-sized enterprises, we have signed an agreement with Ataknea Solutions, en entity supporting business development of research and innovation. The aim is to support SMEs in applying for funding from Horizon 2020 Programm, the largest ever funding program for research and innovation in the EU.

The most important is so-called SME Instrument. The SME Instrument is a European Commission funding scheme under the new framework program Horizon 2020. Its ultimate objective is to encourage market uptake of innovations from European SMEs.
The program is aimed at SMEs that have identified an innovative concept to be developed and commercialized as a technology or service, but need funding to help them validate, develop and take the product to market.

The SME Instrument consists of three separate, but interlinked, phases. Each SME can only apply to one project at a time. As long as one project is in progress in any of the phases, no additional proposals can be presented. In each phase the company may include other SMEs and/or subcontract part of the work to third parties such as RTDs (research and technology developers), in line with its strategic goals.

Phase 1 is focused on establishing the economic and technological feasibility of the innovation. To apply for the 1st phase, the SME must submit a 10‐page business‐oriented proposal that outlines the solution’s current stage of development, a description of the state of the art and competing solutions, as well as a work plan to be implemented in both phase 1 and phase 2. If the proposal is selected for funding, the SME receives a 50,000€ lump‐sum grant to carry out market and technical viability studies within 6 months. After completion of the first phase, the SME submits a more detailed proposal to move on to phase 2, highlighting the results of the feasibility study.

Phase 2 offers between 1M€ and 3M€ to carry out R&D, validation, and demonstration activities over two years. These tasks include: research, piloting, development, scaling‐up, prototyping, testing, demonstration, miniaturization, market replication, dissemination, and certification. The SME will also prepare a comprehensive ‘investor ready’ business plan. The overall objective of this phase is to ensure the innovation is technologically and commercially prepared for product launch at the end of the project. An SME can apply directly to phase 2 if it can demonstrate the feasibility of its idea (i.e. if the idea is a continuation of a nationally or internationally funded R&D project, or if the SME is already investing in an innovative product, but needs further financing to bring it to market). However, it is recommendable to apply for the phase 1 financing first, as the chances for subsequent funding in phase 2 are significantly higher, and the SME benefits from further market and technical feasibility studies.
Phase 3 is supported indirectly through simplified access to debt and equity instruments, as well support for issues related to intellectual property.

Would you be interested in cooperation, please do not hesitate to contact us!

Ateknea Solutions provides business and technological excellence to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) to develop their ideas into profitable innovative solutions

We are glad to announce that the technology invented at the Maritime University of Szczecin was qualified to the final of the “Polish invention of the 2014” competition!

Sup4Nav Sp. z o.o.

The prize for the most interesting innovation is 50 000 PLN. The aim is to show the diversity of solutions created by the creative and talented scientists. During the final gala, April 7, 2014 at Polish Television, all finalists will present their innovative ideas. Their inventions can facilitate daily life, and even revolutionize the world of science, medicine and industry.

The competition is organized by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education and the Polish Television which promotes innovation and inventiveness among Poles.

It is worth saying that NAVDEC is “not lying on the shelf”. It is commercialized by company Sup4Nav Sp. z o.o. More info on www.navdec.com.

Today, economists, entrepreneurs and businessmen participated in the debate about innovation level in our region. It was organized by West Pomeranian Business School and IT company BTC. The panel discussion was attended by the CEO of MUS Innovation Centre, mr. Konrad Frontczak.

Zegarbiznesu.pl is a portal, opened in June last year, it measures economic prosperity of the region from the full two years.
Economists are based on data from the clock to determine the level of economic development in the region. The website is updated every three months based on surveys filled by local entrepreneurs.

Fot. Łukasz Szełemej [Radio Szczecin]

We are pleased to announce that today we established Diacoustic Systems company – the entity that will commercialize the technology invented at the Maritime University of Szczecin.

It is a joint venture between MUS Innovation Centre and the Polish Entrepreneurs Foundation, which has invested funds from “Seed Capital Fund Pomeranus SEED”. There is also a private business partner involved (business angel). The technology was invented by Vice-Rector for Science in the Maritime University of Szczecin, prof. Artuer Bejger.

Diacoustic Systems plans to sell the device for the diagnosis of injection compression ignition engines. Innovative products will be addressed in particular to the owners and distributors of diagnostic equipment. This diagnostic method is envisaged to provide shipowners with real savings (in terms of efficiency of a drive system at vessel).