The colleagues of Fomento San Sebastian (FSS) took part on the staff exchange in frame of UpGradeSME project on the 21st November in Karlsruhe, Germany.
As a first step Mrs. Daniela Chiran and Mr. Robert Gohla from Steinbeis-Europa-Zentrum provided a deep insight into the Steinbeis Europa Zentrum organizational frames and the Technology Transfer System Steinbeis has developed during these past years.
After this the colleague of FSS could learn about the sectors and projects that the organization is developing within the region as well as internationally.
It has also been explained the aim of the organization towards the companies in the region , linking enterprises with innovative partners all over Europe, initiating and accompanying European cooperations on R&D& technology, or strengthening the capacity to meet new challenges i.e. smart city, Technology Transfer, Smart mobility, SME instrument, R&D projects.
Information has been provided around Baden-Württemberg as part of the EU Strategy of the Danube Region - macro-regional cooperations (Danube Transfer Center Network & Made in Danube project) 
It is then discussed the role of Innovation Financing and Research Funding in terms of tools that Steinbeis use to raise awareness, train start-ups through Info Days, SMEs day, brokerage events, workshops or connection to clusters. Besides, it is also shared the role of Steinbeis as service provided for Market Entry and internationalization and their role within the EEN.
Presentation of the Service Portfolio of Steinbeis for SMEs and Start ups and SMEs has been presented by Dr Annette C. Hurst and Dr Anthony Salingre.
From side of Fomento San Sebastian a video about the organization and the city of San Sebastian has been presented. Fomento San Sebastian has developed a presentation around the organization, their priorities and their Innovation and International Strategy and Programmes, focusing on the Technololgy Transfer and International programmes.
It is highlighted the focus on the SME instrument and the success rate in San Sebastian.
After this general overview of the different aspects within Steinbeis and Fomento San Sebastian, a workshop was organized to identify the common opportunities and the possibilities to learn from the hosting experience to incorporate in the policies in San Sebastian.
