Priority for cutting-edge research in the SME sector

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are in the vanguard of technological progress in many areas. At the same time, however, the risks associated with cutting-edge research are often difficult for SMEs to carry. For this reason, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) has introduced the KMU-innovativ scheme to significantly ease access to research funding for these companies by, amongst other things, simplified credit risk assessment. Through KMU-innovativ, the BMBF is supporting cutting-edge research in important future areas.

• Biotechnology www.ideen-zuenden.de/de/429.php
• Nanotechnology www.ideen-zuenden.de/de/426.php
• Information and communications technologies www.ideen-zuenden.de/de/430.php
• Production technology www.ideen-zuenden.de/de/435.php
• Technologies for the efficient use of resources and energy  www.ideen-zuenden.de/de/439.php
• Optical technologies www.ideen-zuenden.de/de/604.php

Cutting-edge research offers SMEs the opportunity of performing successfully in the marketplace with new products and processes. SMEs are particularly fast and flexible when it comes to the exploitation of new markets. This applies particularly to new fields of research, where speed is of the essence. Major impetus in, for example, bio- and nanotechnologies comes predominantly from small and medium-sized firms. In the service sector, too, it is primarily SMEs who are investing in research and development.

The advantages of the KMU-innovativ scheme

Advice from a Lotsendienst support service: companies reach their goal faster

Any questions regarding KMU-innovativ can be answered quickly and comprehensively simply by calling the Lotsendienst telephone help line. The following web pages set out concisely all the information you need about the areas of technology covered by the KMU-innovativ scheme. You can also use them to submit your project outlines at any time.

Fast processing: processing of your outline and application will in no case take longer than four months overall

A two-stage process with binding maximum durations provides planning certainty. Those project proposals eligible for support will be decided in just two months from the deadline for submission of the project outline. A decision on the approval of a grant will again be taken within two months of complete documentation being submitted.

Simplified credit check: small companies are also in with a chance

Many small research-led companies are still in their startup phase. For this reason, the rules applied in KMU-innovativ to demonstrate the required level of internal capital are particularly simple. A simplified credit check, together with the option where internal capital is limited to set milestones during the project, ensure that cutting-edge researchers in small companies as well can realise their ideas.

A success story from the outset

Evaluation of the KMU-innovativ programme shows that rounds of calls for proposals since the beginning in 2007 have met with an exceptionally positive response. The instrument has been used throughout Germany. Each time, approximately 50% of the companies are newcomers to funding, applying for BMBF support for the first time. In selection rounds held since the launch of the scheme in 2007, project outlines requesting total funding of almost EUR 200 million have been recommended for support, with the total value of these projects coming to over EUR 320 million.

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  Shortcuts to funding

  Are you planning an ambitious research project in a small or medium-sized company? Then you probably have an excellent idea, but don't have much time to look for the right funding option. Through its KMU-innovativ scheme, the BMBF is trying to make access to funding as simple as possible for you.
  more (URL: http://www.hightech-strategie.de/en/432.php)
   
  
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  Biotechnology

  In Germany there are now almost 600 companies working in the field of biotechnology. Around 500 of these are "pure" biotech companies whose business is based entirely or predominantly on modern biotechnology processes. Most of these companies are small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs): In 2007, 490 of them (95%) employed fewer than 250 employees and achieved a turnover of less than EUR 50 million. The KMU-innovativ Biotechnologie - BioChance programme is designed to support SMEs active in the field of biotechnology or that want to expand and strengthen their line of business through the use of biotechnology.
  more (URL: http://www.hightech-strategie.de/en/429.php)
   
  
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  Information and communications technology

  The information and communications technology (ICT) sector is an important factor in the German economy. Germany can point to excellent research results in the ICT field but there is evidence of unused potential in the conversion of these results into industrial applications and products. The ICT sector is particularly strongly characterised by SMEs, which account for 90% of IT companies in Germany. These are an important driver of innovation and an important interface for the transfer of research results from the scientific to the business community.
  more (URL: http://www.hightech-strategie.de/en/430.php)
   
  
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  Nanotechnology

  Nanotechnology holds considerable potential for Germany, both technological and economic. There are already around 740 innovative companies involved in the development, application and marketing of nanotechnology products. Some 50,000 industrial jobs are connected with this, and the trend is upward. Experts on the field estimate that by 2015 the world-wide, cross-sector market will be worth EUR 1 trillion.
  more (URL: http://www.hightech-strategie.de/en/426.php)
   
  
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  Optical technologies

  Employing over 100,000 people and with an annual turnover of EUR 16 billion, optical technologies are a vital technology area for the future. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play an ever stronger role in this area of technology as drivers of innovation and as the transfer interface for research results between the scientific and business community. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is particularly keen to support those SMEs heavily engaged in research and development and to fund innovative research projects.
  more (URL: http://www.hightech-strategie.de/en/604.php)
   
  
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  Production technology

  Production and production-related services account for more than two-thirds of Germany's total economic output. R&D and training and skills development also play a key role in ensuring that we remain competitive in the future. SMEs are especially prominent in this area as drivers of innovation and as the transfer interface between the scientific and business community for research results. Over recent years new and innovative companies have entered the scene both in established areas and in the conversion of new key technologies to operational practice. These need to be strengthened.
  more (URL: http://www.hightech-strategie.de/en/435.php)
   
  
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  Resources and energy efficiency

  Demand for resources and energy on the one hand and climate change on the other are set to massively increase pressure on the economy, politics and society in just a few years. Environmentally efficient technologies are developing into a critical success factor. These technologies are often driven by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In many areas, German companies, and in particular SMEs, enjoy a competitive advantage internationally. SMEs are an important driver of innovation and an important interface for the transfer of research results from the scientific to the business community.
  more (URL: http://www.hightech-strategie.de/en/439.php)