Innovation
We support small and medium-sized companies in their growth, developing their innovation potential, growth and creating breakthrough solutions.
Why is it important to innovate?
Innovation is a key source of competitive advantage today. Companies that systematically develop and protect their innovative ideas have a proven track record of outperforming their peers – earning on average 20% more per employee and paying almost a fifth higher wages than others.
But innovation is not the preserve of the tech giants. Even SMEs and start-ups can grow, enter new markets and increase their competitiveness with new products, services or processes. Often it is not about revolution, but about getting the right support options, protecting know-how and finding the right partners. It can help you to exploit your innovation potential to the full and avoid the risks associated with copying or losing know-how
JIC supports companies in the field of innovation
How do we help develop innovation?
Finding foreign partners
Many innovations are created in collaboration between companies and research organisations. That is why we actively support the link between academia and business.
- We provide access to the largest international database of technology offers and inquiries.
- We can help you prepare a profile or proposal and present your solution to potential research and technology partners around the world.
- We organize thematic workshops and networking events where entrepreneurs, developers, scientists and representatives of public institutions meet.
- We will offer you participation in international matchmaking events and partner exchanges across Europe.
Overview of innovation programmes and funding
We can help you navigate European and national innovation support programmes such as Horizon Europe, Digital Europe, Eureka/Eurostars or the Innovation Fund.
- We organise informational seminars and open days.
- We explain the current challenges and the conditions of participation.
- We help you choose the right type of financing for your project.
- We also assess the possibility of cascade funding – smaller grants within European projects that can be a faster way to support innovative ideas, especially thanks to simpler administration.
Protecting innovation and intellectual property (IP)
Innovation and intellectual property go hand in hand. We’ll help you protect your ideas so that no one can take advantage of them and your know-how becomes a long-term competitive advantage.
- We will advise you on what and how to protect (patents, trademarks, design).
- We can help you set up contractual relationships with developers and partners.
- We will explain how to work with IP when dealing with investors or partners.
- We organize specialized workshops and training – from the basics of innovation protection to IP commercialization strategy.
We act as an ambassador for the European IP Helpdesk, an initiative of the European Commission providing free IP advice to SMEs and research organisations . This gives you expert support in your language and access to extensive knowledge resources.
Advanced Innovation Services
We offer targeted and individual support to companies with high innovation potential.
An experienced advisor will go through your innovation needs with you in depth and help you set a concrete action plan for further development.
Support may include, for example:
- assessing opportunities for digitalisation and sustainability,
- setting up effective innovation management,
- systematic work with ideas in the company.
- access to coaches and experts
- involvement in technology missions abroad.
If you are working on a cutting-edge innovation with global potential, we can also help you prepare for applying to European Innovation Council (EIC) programmes – from project suitability assessment to consultation to pitch training. The EIC Accelerator offers grants of up to €2.5 million and additional investments for scaling up innovations.
Tip from JIC consultants
“Innovation is not a one-off event, but a long-term process. The key is a company culture that encourages creativity, openness and systematic work with ideas. That’s why, in addition to the above services, we also offer inspiring events, networking communities of innovators and publications full of case studies and tips – such as JICmagazine.”