Innovation Workshop Dresden – a Joint Research Project: Harmonization of partnerships between basic oriented scientific institutions and small and medium-sized businesses

Short-title: „GRULA-KMU“

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) are essential to Germany’s economy and their international competitive advantage relies strongly on their innovation activities. In Germany, investment into research and development (R&D) activities is increasing. However, recent studies show that innovation activities involving German SMEs is on the decline. The reasons for their reluctance to invest into R&D activities as well as new products are diverse.

Furthermore, basic oriented scientific institutions are not the favoured type of partners SMEs are looking to collaborate with when it comes to R&D activities and to the transfer of breakthrough results.

Aim of the project

The aim of the GRULA-KMU project is to provide SMEs with enhanced access to R&D results and know-how, enabling them to benefit of existing research facilities, work with competent staff members and take advantage of existing expertise to evaluate new  markets.

Work packages

• AP 1 – Analysis
  Transfer events taking place within the science scene of Dresden will be analyzed using SWOT-Analysis – with a particular focus on the collaboration with SMEs.
• AP 2 – College of higher education as mediator
   Higher education colleges will function as mediators between basic oriented research institutions and SMEs. An innovation scouting system will be setup for SMEs in close coordination with the CCI Dresden.
• AP 3 – Better access to research infrastructure for SMBs
  New collaboration models and methods of operations will be developed to give SMEs better access to research infrastructures.
• AP 4 – Innovation support for SMBs
  Basic oriented research institutions benefit of wide ranging experience as well as a number of professional tools permitting to value inventions and to plan and manage innovation processes. These tools and experience shall be made available to interested SMEs.

Project partners:

Contact person:

Dr. Björn Wolf (Coordinator)
Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf
Head of technology transfer and legal affairs

Bautzener Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden

Phone: +49 351 – 260 2615

E-Mail: b.wolf@hzdr.de