The APOLLON project aimed to demonstrate the value of European Living Lab networks for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) testing products in new markets. Two homecare pilots were conducted using a video calling solution and sensor network to monitor activities. Lessons showed contexts differed between countries and local partnerships were essential. SMEs benefited from market insights, understanding new healthcare ecosystems, and identifying business opportunities. However, projects required significant resources and customizing solutions to each local area.

1. Facilitating homecare and independent Living projects in a cross-border Living Lab setting Experiences from the APOLLON project PICNIC – September 14, 2011 Bram Lievens IBBT-SMIT

2. EU Digital agenda & eHealth “Focusing on innovations that address the major societal challenges identified in Europe 2020” “To improve the quality of care, reduce medical costs and foster independent living, including in remote places.” GOAL: enabling EU citizens to lead healthy, active and independent lives while ageing;

3. Challenges Context is different How health is organised The eco-system Legislation (privacy, ethics…) Locally a lot is present / exist…. But unknown, small scale High investment for SME to assess potential market Looking at a.o. Livings labs as mechanism for innovation # Living Labs increasing Currently over 270 Living Labs member of ENoLL NEED for collaboration

5. Set up thematic networks of Living Labs across Europe

7. Lessons learned Need for contextualisation Don’t transfer the technology as it is Look further then technological issues (legal issues, cultural differences…) The transfer is not the objective Define clear business oriented goals and objectives Define a strategy for after the pilot Don’t go solo – make partnerships Local partners are needed Make sure you have a Win-Win Map the local eco-system upfront Who are the key-players, what are their roles The service is always built around this

8. Lessons learned No common approach The Living Lab as a central broker More then access to technical infrastructure and users > Your guide in the local health-world Matchmaker It is an investment Reserve the necessary time and resources Target groups is not the average ‘user’ Difficult to connect with, demands a local approach

9. Added value for SMEs Insights in new market Health system Eco-system User behaviour Access to the ‘right’ partners Challenges the SMEs Operational Business case New business opportunities Low entry level

10. Experiences of the SMEs "The cross-border pilot forced us to re-think the initial business caseinto an European context. It increased the development process for building the right proposition and a better product fit. This had a huge impact - in a positive way - on how we are currently developing and deploying the product/service.” (Tim Van den Dool – CEO – Innoviting) “The cross-border project gives us the opportunity to discuss the Healthcare eco-system in another country with the living labs. This enables us to not only identify different needs and possible enhancements to our products but also to explore new (business) opportunities. The project also gives us insights into the requirements and operational issues related to transferring products to other markets outside the base market.” (Saar De Zutter - PM – Televic)

11. Thank you http://www.apollon-project.eu bram.lievens@vub.ac.be http://www.smit.vub.ac.be http://www.ibbt.be