Good practice:

Regional ScaleUP Competition – pilot scheme for companies willing to scale-up their business

Tehimpuls Association is a spin-off of the first pilot RIS in Romania, with the scope to support innovation by customized support services to our stakeholders (SMEs, universities, RDI organisations, start-ups) depending on their needs.
Starting 2013, through an annual Regional Innovation Fair, organised under different formats (fairs/exhibition areas, conferences, workshops, good practice sessions, regional innovation competitions, international brokerage events) the Regional Innovation Competition was set up. In the first 2 editions we researched & showcased the existing innovation potential in the region, with the aim to promote innovative products/services/technologies and bring together local/international businesses & research environment together to exchange information & know-how and discuss potential cooperation.
Next editions focused on supporting stakeholders which developed an (eco) innovative product, service or technology with small grants, mentoring, advisory services for intellectual property rights (IPR) and commercialisation.
In 2017 a Scale UP competition followed- a pilot scheme at national level for companies willing . It was organised based on specific economic indicators of targeted SMEs and a defined methodology for scale-up companies. The selected companies had to pitch their business ambitions to grow, in public at the RIF. 3 companies were selected in the pilot scheme and benefitted from a tailored consulting package.

Financial resources required for the implementation of the practice:
• Human resources cost: 2 people/ 650 hours /7.200 euro
• coaching & mentoring international experts: 10.000 euro;
• services related to organization of events: 15.000 euro
total: 32.200 euro

Success is illustrated by the number of organised editions of the RIF &RIC, beneficiaries supported and provided services.
Since 2013, Tehimpuls & its partners organised 7 editions in mixed formats: more than 1500 participants, more than 120 innovative products/services/technologies showcased in mixed events, more than 150 beneficiaries supported with services (consultancy, trainings, assessments) from which over 30 international partnerships were supported.

Due to the novelty of the RIC 2017 concept developed, there were not many applicants. Per total there were 11 applications (11 applications received, out of which 10 considered eligible). On the other side, not many companies had a growth during the last 3 years, so it hindered their application.

The good practice offers an example (alternative solutions) to those organisations which would like to improve their services with regard to innovation support.
Moreover, there is place for synergies to be created between the services provided and different EU financing programmes (such as mixing and offering additional services to the organisations & its stakeholders, tailored on their needs: EU grants, expert workshops & trainings, internationalization (bilateral meetings, access to finance, international markets, innovation management assessments etc).
The good practice can be easily replicated.