© 2009 concentris gmbh davidsbodenstrasse 63 ch - 4056 basel naspe research for smes first...

© 2009 Concentris GmbH© 2009 Concentris GmbHDavidsbodenstrasse 63Davidsbodenstrasse 63

CH - 4056 BaselCH - 4056 Basel

NASPEResearch for SMEs

NASPEResearch for SMEs

First experiences with this instrument.

Dr. Urs Hubler, Concentris [email protected]

First experiences with this instrument.

Dr. Urs Hubler, Concentris [email protected]



ContentsContents

•A few words about Concentris, the project structure and organization.

•Particular aspects of Research for SMEs and a few thoughts about those.

•A few words about Concentris, the project structure and organization.

•Particular aspects of Research for SMEs and a few thoughts about those.



ConcentrisConcentris• University Spin-Off, created

in 2000.

• Small company, currently 5 people.

• Main product: Nanomechanical cantilever sensor platforms, i.e. a new sensor technology with applications in different fields, customers in Europe, USA/Canada, Asia.

• Interest in FP7 Research for SMEs: Partners for developing new applications.

• University Spin-Off, created in 2000.

• Small company, currently 5 people.

• Main product: Nanomechanical cantilever sensor platforms, i.e. a new sensor technology with applications in different fields, customers in Europe, USA/Canada, Asia.

• Interest in FP7 Research for SMEs: Partners for developing new applications.



NASPENASPE

•NAnomechanical Screening of Pharmaceutical Entities.

•Idea: Development of new technologies and applications in the context of nanomechanical biosensors.

•NAnomechanical Screening of Pharmaceutical Entities.

•Idea: Development of new technologies and applications in the context of nanomechanical biosensors.



NASPENASPE

4 SMEs (CH, IT, DE)4 SMEs (CH, IT, DE)3 RTD Performers (DE, IT)3 RTD Performers (DE, IT)

1 Other Partner (DE)1 Other Partner (DE)



NASPENASPE

Coordinator: UniversityCoordinator: UniversitySteering Committee Chairman: SMESteering Committee Chairman: SME



The Customer-The Customer-Seller-RelationshipSeller-Relationship•SMEs have a strong role, as they

outsource R&D to Universities.

•SMEs also have the task to control and drive the work.

• IP rules are given.

‣Much stronger interaction between partners than in other projects.

•SMEs have a strong role, as they outsource R&D to Universities.

•SMEs also have the task to control and drive the work.

• IP rules are given.

‣Much stronger interaction between partners than in other projects.



The Customer-The Customer-Seller-RelationshipSeller-Relationship

•Not all Universities really see themselves as sellers or service providers.

• Statistically, 70-80% of all collaborations go wrong, i.e. the risk is relatively high.

‣ The stronger interaction bears additional risks, especially for SMEs.

•Not all Universities really see themselves as sellers or service providers.

• Statistically, 70-80% of all collaborations go wrong, i.e. the risk is relatively high.

‣ The stronger interaction bears additional risks, especially for SMEs.



IP RulesIP Rules

•IP rules are clear: SMEs pay for R&D and obtain ownership of IP rights in return.

•The standards are not the same in all countries. It is difficult with some partners to get them to follow the rules.

•IP rules are clear: SMEs pay for R&D and obtain ownership of IP rights in return.

•The standards are not the same in all countries. It is difficult with some partners to get them to follow the rules.



Administration and Administration and FinancesFinances

• Compared to other projects, probably less administrative work for Universities and more for SMEs.

• Since Switzerland is not a member of the EC, VAT issues may get tricky.

• SMEs get large advance payments, but have to keep track of liquidity towards the end of the project (invoice from University but missing final payment from EC).

• Compared to other projects, probably less administrative work for Universities and more for SMEs.

• Since Switzerland is not a member of the EC, VAT issues may get tricky.

• SMEs get large advance payments, but have to keep track of liquidity towards the end of the project (invoice from University but missing final payment from EC).



In SummaryIn Summary

• ...research for SMEs is a very good instrument, if all partners are committed.

• ...the spirit is very different from e.g. collaborative projects, and all partners should really appreciate that from the beginning of the application process.

• ...research for SMEs is a very good instrument, if all partners are committed.

• ...the spirit is very different from e.g. collaborative projects, and all partners should really appreciate that from the beginning of the application process.



Thank youThank youThank youThank you

© 2009 concentris gmbh davidsbodenstrasse 63 ch - 4056 basel naspe research for smes first...

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