Innovation Workshop Dresden – A Joint Research Project: Harmonization of partnerships between scientific research 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, investments in research and development (R&D) activities are increasing. However, recent studies show that innovation activities involving German SMEs are on the decline. Reasons for the reluctance of SMEs to invest in R&D activities, as well as in new products, are diverse.

Furthermore, scientific institutions engaging in basic research are not the most favourable partners the SMEs would like to collaborate with, when it comes to R&D activities and to the transfer of innovative 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 from the existing research facilities, work with competent staff members and to take advantage of the existing expertise to evaluate new markets.

Work packages

• AP 1 – Analysis
  Transfer processes 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 – Universities of applied sciences as mediators
  Universities of applied sciences will function as mediators between scientific research institutions and SMEs. An innovation scouting system will be established for SMEs in close coordination with the local chamber of commerce in Dresden.
• AP 3 – Better access to research infrastructure for SMEs
  New collaboration models and methods will be developed to give SMEs a better access to research infrastructures.
• AP 4 – Innovation support for SMEs
  Scientific research institutions focusing on basic research have wide-ranging experience in innovation processes, as well as a number of professional tools that can be used to plan and manage innovation processes, permitting them to value inventions. These tools and experience shall be made available to the 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

                                     tel: +49 351 – 260 2615

                                     e-mail: b.wolf@hzdr.de