“IHK Hessen innovativ” is the innovation and technology transfer consultancy of the Chambers of Commerce in the state of Hesse.
Especially SMEs show a lack of capability and knowledge i.e. of innovation methods, IPR, product safety legislation (i. e. CE) and financing instruments. Entrepreneurs, startups and corporates (especially SMEs) find themselves in situations where they are unable to secure their IPR, to handle and fulfill product safety legislation or find appropriate financing instruments and/or funding.
The services of IHK Hessen innovativ are divided in push- and pull-services. “Pull” in this case means to answer questions that occur spontaneously during R&D-processes (i.e. the above mentioned tasks IPR, CE or funding). “Push-services” stands for the provision of information, i.e. by presentations, blogs or websites, and innovation management tools (seminars, workshops). The free services are applicable to every employee or owner of trade- or industry-businesses, due to their membership in a Chamber of Commerce by German law. Presentations, seminars and workshops are open to everybody, but mostly visited by owners or employees of member companies.
The tools to get all these information to the clients are websites, e-mail, blogs, newsletters and newspapers. Network activities are mostly organized in co-operation with other players in the region.
Stakeholders are the ten Chambers of Commerce in the state of Hesse. Beneficiaries are the member-companies (the Chamber of Commerce Kassel-Marburg alone has 86,000 members).
Resources needed
The resources needed to set up and to run the practice are 1.75 employees located in the Chamber of Commerce in Kassel. (IHK Hessen innovativ altogether: 12). The financial resources are about 160 k € (IHK Hessen innovativ altogether: 900 k €).
Evidence of success
Factual evidence that demonstrates its practice success are the following outputs: per year, there are 400-500 consultations, ca. 100 presentations, seminars and workshops as well as co-funding consultancy of 30-40 R&D and technology transfer projects. The result of these measures is somewhere hidden in the prosperity of the region and so far, indirect.
Difficulties encountered
The main challenge is the access to the relevant companies and employees with the tasks and questions mentioned above. They should know who to call when questions of product safety, IPR, innovation methods or co-funding occur. The situation can be improved by co-operation of regional institutions.
Potential for learning or transfer
The results achieved show that it is important to offer SMEs a neutral consultancy to guarantee innovation and technology transfer. The Chamber of Commerce is no authority nor has it an economic interest. So far, the information provided are well meant neutral. Innovation consultancy is a networking people’s business and its contribution to the prosperity of the region depends on the faith people have in the organization. Furthermore, the consultancy can also be implemented without a Chamber of Commerce.
The potential rules in the neutrality of the institution without commercial interests. Therefore, the institution, whether it´s driven by a Chamber of Commerce or governmental, should act as a link between the demanding companies on one hand and universities, consultants and surveillance authorities on the other.
