2. Phase 1: concept
and feasibility
assessment
Input:
Idea/Concept in
"Business Plan I"
(~ 10 pages)
Main Activities:
Feasibility of concept
Risk assessment
IP regime
Partner search
Design study
Pilot application
Output: elaborated
"Business plan II"
Lump sum: around
50.000 €
~ 6 months
Phase 2: R&D,
demonstration,
market replication
Input:
"Business plan II" +
"Description of activities
under Phase2" (~ 30 pp.)
Main Activities:
Development Prototyping
Testing
Piloting
Miniaturisation
Scaling-up
Market replication
Output: investor-ready
"Business plan III"
Output based payments:
1 to 3 M€ EU funding
~ 12 to 24 months
No direct funding
Phase 3:
Commercialisation
Input:
"Business plan III"
+
Opportunities:
'Quality label' for
successful Phase 1 & 2
Easier access to private
finance
Support via networking,
training, coaching,
information, addressing i.a.
IP management, knowledge
sharing, dissemination
SME window in the EU
financial facilities (debt
facility and equity facility)
SME Supporting phases
3. ?
IDEA BUSINESS COACHING MARKET
Concept &
feasibility
assessment
Demonstration
Market Replication
R&D
Commercialization
SME window EU
financial facilities
Pre-commercial
procurement
Focus on close to market activities – 3 phases
SME supporting phases
4. Phase 1 : max 10 pages
Phase 2 : max 30 pages
Application template
6. Evaluation criteria
• Possible Economic impact
• Excellence in innovation
• Commercial Potential
• Quality and efficiency of the
implementation
• SME potential achieving the
envisaged results
7. PHASE 1 PHASE 2
Impact = 4
Excellence = 4
Quality and efficiency of
implementation = 4
Total = 13
Impact = 4
Excellence = 4
Quality and efficiency of
implementation = 3
Total = 12
Evaluation Thresholds
8. Evaluation criterion: IMPACT
• Convincing description that there will be demand/market (willing to pay) for
the innovation
• Targeted users are well described
• Good understanding of market condition, growth rate, competitors and
competitive solutions and key stakeholders, or includes a plan to achieving
this
• Realistic description how the innovation has the potential to boost the growth
of the applying company
• Clear European dimension both with respect to commercialisation and with
respect to competitor/competition evaluation
• The strategy plan for commercialisation is described in a realistic and relevant
way, and explains how it will be further developed.
• Realistic description of status and strategy of knowledge protection,
9. Evaluation criterion : EXCELLENCE
• Innovation aims new market opportunities addressing EU/global challenges
• The included feasibility assessment demonstrates the
technological/practical/economic viability of the innovation
• Realistic description of the current stage of development; added value of its
innovation; good understanding of the competing solutions.
• good comparison with state-of-the-art / known commercial solutions or include
plan for achieving this information
• Approach and activities to be developed are consistent with the expected
impact (commercialisation/deployment).
• Expected performances of the innovation are convincing and have the potential
to be relevant from a commercial point of view (Value for money). It is
potentially better than alternatives
• Good understanding of both risks and opportunities related to a successful
market introduction of the innovation, both from a technical, commercial point
of view.
10. Technology Readiness Level (TRL)
• TRL 1 – basic principles observed
• TRL 2 – technology concept formulated
• TRL 3 – experimental proof of concept
• TRL 4 – technology validated in lab
• TRL 5 – technology validated in relevant environment
• TRL 6 – technology demonstrated in relevant
environment (industrially relevant environment in the
case of key enabling technologies)
• TRL 7 – system prototype demonstration in
operational environment
• TRL 8 – system complete and qualified
• TRL 9 – actual system proven in operational
environment (competitive manufacturing in the case
of key enabling technologies; or in space)
The evaluation: key elements
11. Evaluation criterion: IMPLEMENTATION
• The proposal demonstrates that the project has the relevant resources
(personal, facilities, networks, etc.) to develop its activities in the most
suitable conditions.
• Proposal describes in a realistic way how key stakeholders/partners/
subcontractors could be involved. (Where relevant/) Participants in a
consortium are complementary
• The team has relevant technical/scientific knowledge/management experience,
and a very good understanding of the relevant market aspects for the
particular innovation. If relevant the proposal includes a plan to acquire
missing competences
• The proposal includes a realistic time frame and a comprehensive
implementation description
• The work package descriptions and major deliverables and milestones are
realistic and relevant, including appropriateness of the allocation of tasks and
resources, risk and innovation management
12. Operational capacity
In the SME Instrument the Company (“team”) is of utmost
importance and several question are dealing with the capacity of
the company to achieve the envisaged market opportunity
Evaluator has to give view on weather the applicant has the
necessary basic operational capacity to carry out the proposed
activity based on the information provided:
• CV of the profile of the applicant
• Relevant achievements
• Relevant previous project or activities
• Description of any significant infrastructure or any major items of
technical equipment
13. subcontracting
PHASE 1
The applicant shall declare the tasks to subcontract.
It is not necessary to detail the estimated costs.
The subcontract is not included in the technical annex 2.
PHASE 2
The subcontracting is not restricted to a limited part of the
action. The best value for money to choosing
subcontractors shall be respected and detailed. The experts
shall assess:
• For known subcontracts: key information on the award
procedure, the tasks that will be subcontracted and the
explanation why the subcontractor and the price are
appropriate.
• For unknown subcontracts: the tasks to be
subcontracted, the estimate budget and the procedure
to be followed to ensure the best value for money.
14. Horizon 2020 – SME Instrument
Tip
Show your ambition,
prove your potential.
