MAPPING POLICIES FOR SMEs IN THE DIGITAL ECONOMY: GERMANY (2000-2005) [1]
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Access to digital infrastructures & technologies |
HUMAN RESOURCES, AWARENESS, EDUCATION, TRAINING |
TLC & ICT INFRASTRUCTURES |
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT |
CLUSTERS & NETWORKS |
REGULATION AND eGOVERNMENT |
FISCAL AND FINANCIAL INCENTIVES |
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Support small and medium services firms and very small firms to open new markets by providing electronic support for joint ventures Private Information Agencies allow SME who can not afford to have, or choose not to develop, their own databases to call on professional information brokers to do their information inquiries. Start: 1990 - Finish: indefinite Budget: no budget needed (non-financial measure) INSTI - Innovation Market provides a marketplace for inventors and innovators to find companies that assist them in financing and bringing their products onto the market. Start:1998 - Finish: indefinite Budget: one third of adverting expenses up to ˜ 15,523 |
ERP – Innovation Programme – programme provides financing for market oriented research and development for new products, new processes and new services, including introduction of innovations of the market Start: 1996 – Finish: indefinite Budget: total amount of committed loans from 1996 to 1999 is 2.773 bill. Euro. Thematic Information Centres The programme aims at improving the access to various databases relevant for innovation activities by firms and research organisations. Start:1980 – Finish: indefinite Budget: not available yet |
Private Information Agencies allow SME who can not afford to have, or choose not to develop, their own databases to call on professional information brokers to do their information inquiries. Start: 1990 - Finish: indefinite Budget: no budget needed (non-financial measure) BAND: Business Angels Network of Germany aims at promoting a culture of private support f new firm founders in Germany. Start: 1997 - Finish: indefinite Budget: non-financial measure, no public spending |
Implement a competition-oriented price regulation for telecommunications services, so as every company in German is able to use telecommunication infrastructures Market Liberalisation and Deregulation Market opening concerns privatisation and developing a regulatory framework for competition (free market access opening of infrastructures to all competitors at same conditions). Progress in liberalisation has been made at different markets to varying degrees, with telecommunication and electricity highly liberalised, and postal and transport markets still little competition intensive. Start: 1998 - Finish: indefinite Budget: not applicable to this measure |
ERP – Innovation Programme – programme provides financing for market oriented research and development for new products, new processes and new services, including introduction of innovations of the market Start: 1996 – Finish: indefinite Budget: total amount of committed loans from 1996 to 1999 is 2.773 bill. Euro. TBG Technology Venture Capital Programme addresses technology-based companies with a maximum of Euro 128 mill. total annual revenues. It offers hidden and open equity investments for three purposes: (a) financing of early stages in company development, (b) financing of innovation, (c) financing for going public at the stock market. Start: 1990 – Finish: indefinite Budget: In 1999, 281.5 mill. Euro, in 2000, 394.3 mill. Euro. |
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GERMANY (2000-2005) [2]
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Access to networks |
HUMAN RESOURCES, AWARENESS, EDUCATION, TRAINING |
TLC & ICT INFRASTRUCTURES |
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT |
CLUSTERS & NETWORKS |
REGULATION AND eGOVERNMENT |
FISCAL AND FINANCIAL INCENTIVES |
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Increase public awareness of ICT and support it with concrete examples and activities via launching th Information Society Forum Green Card: Emergency programme to satisfy personnel demand in the IT sector was established to meet a shortage of qualified personnel in the information technology sector. Start:2000 – Finish: 2005 Budget: not available yet Promotion of Information and Training Sessions The main object is to disseminate new management techniques and thus raise absorption capacities and competitiveness of SMEs. Start: 1977 – Finish: indefinite, extended in 2001 Budget: 1999: 3.24 mill. Euro, 2000: 3.3 mill. Euro KfW-SME-Programme Employment and Qualification Promotion of human capital related activities by SMEs, especially concerning the creation of new jobs and the qualification of new employees. The programme shall contribute to expansion of employment and new and secure jobs at SMEs. Start: 2000 - Finish: indefinite Budget: not fixed yet |
Support activities by private companies and research establishments to improve access to ICT-related technical and financial information for SMEs and their use in business and production processes ATI / Innovation management The programme initially supported the establishment of a technology transfer infrastructure (agencies for technology and innovation - ATI) in the New Länder. The BMWI provided basic financing for a total of 20 ATI spread over the whole territory of Eastern Germany. The agencies provide consulting and information services for SMEs and start-ups. Start: 1992 – Finish: 1999, modified in 2000 and extended until 2004 Budget: appr. 3.7 mill. Euro in 2000 Green Card: Emergency programme to satisfy personnel demand in the IT sector was established to meet a shortage of qualified personnel in the information technology sector. Start:2000 – Finish: 2005 Budget: not available yet Promotion of Consulting for SMEs The programme is aimed to improve efficiency and competitiveness of SMEs. The support of consulting services includes all economic, technical, financial and organisational problems of management as well as aid to start-ups, environmental protection and energy saving. Start: 1977 - Finish: indefinite, extended in 2001 Budget: Euro 15.18 mill. in 1999. 2000: 14.0 mill. Euro |
Direct research grants within thematic programmes - this programme provides direct grants for R&D projects in fields of technology with considerable public interest an technical-economic risk. Start: 1957 – Finish: indefinite Budget: The annual expenditures on "direct subsidies for R&D projects" :1999: 1,927 bill. Euro, 2000: 1,938 bill. Euro. About a third of direct public funding of R&D projects goes to enterprises. IGF - Promotion of the Joint Industrial Research programme offers direct grants for R&D projects which are carried out jointly by companies operating in the same sector or field technology. The programme aims at reducing structural disadvantages of SMEs in the field of R&D by bundling resources. Start: 1954 – Finish: indefinite Budget: not available, in the period 1990-2000, a total of 952 mill. Euro of subsidies were spent. Grants for R&D in SMEs in Eastern Germany The programme aims at fostering R&D and innovation in SMEs in Eastern Germany by offering subsidies for (a) R&D and innovation projects and (b) R&D personnel.The programme is regarded as a major instrument for increasing technology competitivenes SMEs in Eastern Germany. Subsidies for R&D projects are provided both directly for SMEsand for non-profit external research institutions. Start: 1992 – Finish: 2001, continuation expected Budget: For R&D personnel: 372 mill. Euro for the period 1992 to 2000 BioChance Within the thematic programme Biotechnology 2000, this sub-programme provides support for projects in applied research with high uncertainty carried out by you biotechnology firms. The programme aims to strengthen research in biotechnology and to promote the application of new results in biotechnology research. Start: 1999 – Finish: 2002 Budget: For BioChance, a total of 50 mill. Euro of public funds will be available. Lead Projects are a special instrument within the thematic programmes for direct R&D grants. They support R&D and innovation in fields of. Lead Projects should pool competence in R&D as basis for marketable products, processes and services. Start:1997- Finish: 2003 Budget: about 10 to 15 mill. Euro per lead project, i.e. 70 to 90 mill. Euro in total Direct Research Promotion - Information and Communication Technology Grants-in-aid for R&D projects are provided for the following thematic fields:- information technology systems- basic technologies of information techniques- information as a raw material for innovation- multi-media Start: 1967 – Finish: indefinite Budget: For the years 1999/2000 a total budget of about ˜ 200- 250 million was granted per year Direct Research Promotion - Life Sciences, Design of Working Conditions Grants-in-aid for R&D projects are provided for the following thematic fields:- biotechnology - research on health- innovative working arrangements Start: 1970 - Finish: indefinite Budget: For the years 1999/2000 a total budget of about ˜ 250 – 300 million was granted per year |
Encourage the use of regional competence centres for electronic commerce by SMEs in the transport sector InnoRegio - innovative networks in Eastern Germany aims at stimulating regional co-operation in East Germany as a mean for strengthening innovation activities and utilising innovation potentials. InnoRe supports the establishing of co-operation and learning processes and should contribute the development of new products, services and processes Start: 1999 – Finish: 2005 Budget: InnoRegio: 260 mill Euro FUTOUR 2000 - Promotion for technology-oriented start-ups in East Germany offers state-subsidies, venture capital, and consulting services for (a) persons who plan to create a new, technology-oriented firm and (b) for already existing young technology-oriented firms in Eastern Germany in order to strengthen their innovation efforts. Start: 2000 – Finish: 2005 Budget: ca. 150 mill. Euro INSTI - Network (INnovation STImulation) The programme aims to stimulate innovation in Germany by contributing to an innovation friendly environment as a base for increased innovation activities. Start:1994 - Finish: 2000, extended until 2002 Budget: 15.3 mill. Euro for the period 1994 to 2000 TOP - Technology oriented visiting and information programme provides support for knowledge exchange, learning and co-operation among companies. Start:1992 – Finish: indefinite Budget. Not available yet Networks of Competence seek to promote networking among science, education and enterprises in order to bundle competence and to present internationally attractive networks to the world. Start:1999 - Finish: 2002 Budget: c.a. 2 mill. Euro are provided by the BMBF INSTI - INTRA (Innovation Training) The objective is reducing deficits of knowledge in the field o innovation, especially innovation management, creativity techniques, patents and information management. Start: 1997 - Finish: 2002 Budget: not available yet |
Simplify company law, removing the requirement for written forms and permitting electronic declarations and statements Remove obstacles in electronic commerce company law to electronic communication and adapt regulations from a cross-frontier viewpoint Tax Reform 2000 It significantly reduces tax rates both concerning income tax and corporate tax. A change in the system of taxing corporations and shareholders will favour SMEs. Start: 2001 – Finish: 2005 Budget: net tax relief of Euro 32 bill. in the reference periode 1998-2005. SMEs are estimated to profit by ca. 11.5 bill. Euro. VERNET - security in electronic communication The programme aims at promoting technologies that ensure a safe data exchange between firms, administration and individuals; that protect private networks and data, the secure intellectual property and anonymous communication, that enable high-levels of security for shared software application, that guarantee authenticity of information and transactions, and that allow control. Start: 2000 - Finish: 2003 Budget: ca. 10 mill. Euro for a three year period of realisation of the winning projects |
BTU - Venture Capital for technology-oriented SMEs addresses a perceived shortage in private venture capital for technology-based start-ups and small, fast-growing technology-oriented firms. Start: 1995 – Finish: 2002 Budget: Amount of VC made available by BTU:1997: 234 mill. Euro1998: 404 mill. Euro2000: 1,100 mill. Euro1999: ca. 650 mill. Euro KfW - Venture Capital Programme provides re-financing of venture capital invested b private banks in SMEs. KfW provides VC investors with long-term financing at favourable conditions Start: 1995 – Finish: indefinite Budget: not available yet Direct research grants within thematic programmes - this programme provides direct grants for R&D projects in fields of technology with considerable public interest an technical-economic risk. Start: 1957 – Finish: indefinite Budget: The annual expenditures on "direct subsidies for R&D projects" :1999: 1,927 bill. Euro, 2000: 1,938 bill. Euro. About a third of direct public funding of R&D projects goes to enterprises. FUTOUR 2000 - Promotion for technology-oriented start-ups in East Germany offers state-subsidies, venture capital, and consulting services for (a) persons who plan to create a new, technology-oriented firm and (b) for already existing young technology-oriented firms in Eastern Germany in order to strengthen their innovation efforts. Start: 2000 – Finish: 2005 Budget: ca. 150 mill. Euro Lead Projects are a special instrument within the thematic programmes for direct R&D grants. They support R&D and innovation in fields of. Lead Projects should pool competence in R&D as basis for marketable products, processes and services. Start:1997- Finish: 2003 Budget: about 10 to 15 mill. Euro per lead project, i.e. 70 to 90 mill. Euro in total |
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InnoNet attempts to improve R&D networks between SMEs and research institutions. It applies new ways of promotion (competition approach, support for collaborative research between SMEs and science, network building, subsidies provided only for research organisations). Networks must consist of at least two research institutions and four SMEs. Public funding is provided for research institutions only. Start:1999 – Finish: 2003 Budget: 46 mill. Euro for the years 1999 until 2004. PRO INNO aims at increasing innovation competence, innovation activities and competitiveness of SMEs. The programme supports SMEs in the field of R&D co- operation.. Start:1999 - Finish: 2003 Budget: ca. 500 mill. Euro Innovative Regional Growth Poles The programme supports the establishment of regionally and thematically focussed innovation initiatives in the New Länder. Initiatives will consist of enterprises, public research organisations/universities and other actors. Start: 2001 – Finish: 2003 Budget: 77 mio. Euro |
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GERMANY (2000-2005) [3]
[4] Access to knowledge creation |
HUMAN RESOURCES, AWARENESS, EDUCATION, TRAINING |
TLC & ICT INFRASTRUCTURES |
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT |
CLUSTERS & NETWORKS |
REGULATION AND eGOVERNMENT |
FISCAL AND FINANCIAL INCENTIVES |
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Promotion of Inventors at the Patent Office for German Research The Patent Office for German Research offers interest- free loans for inventors (individuals, researchers from universities and public research labs, inventors from small firms) in order to support them in receiving a patent for an invention. Start: 1955 - Finish: indefinite Budget: For direct support to inventors: carying from year to year, about 0.5 mill. Euro in 1999. |
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INSTI Inventors Clubs The network aims to support and promote the creative potential of inventors. The network is supported with a highly developed system of appreciation a incentives. Start:1995 - Finish:2003 Budget: not available yet |
INSTI Innovation Action aims at enabling enterprises and start-ups to establish internal innovation processes on a permanent base, i.e. as a continuous part of their entrepreneurial and business activities. Start: 2001 - Finish: 2002 Budget: not available yet Launch the Internet Prize promoting and stimulating the development of effective Internet applications and tools, with a social focus on SMEs products
LERNET: Network-based learning in SMEs aims to test innovative forms of software-based learning tools SMEs and public administrations and to create innovative solutions for a network-based education system. Start: 2000 - Finish: 2002 Budget: 15 mill. Euro |
BioProfile / BioRegio The objectives of both programmes are to develop a specific biotechnological profile in selected regions and to support innovation and commercialisation of biotechnological knowledge. The programmes are created in order to promote commercialisation of new biotechnology research results by the Federal Government. Start: 1997 - Finish: 2002, extended in 1999 until 2006 Budget: BioRegio: 75 mill. Euro (1997-2002)BioProfile: 50 mill Euro (2001-2006) ZUTECH - Future technologies for SMEs The programme aims at developing new solutions for structural renewal of the SME sector on the base of high-grade technologies. Technological diversification shall take place either by up-grading of existing SMEs or by new firm formation. Start: 2000 - Finish: 2004 Budget: ca. 3.5 mill. Euro in 2000 |
INSTI Inventors Clubs The network aims to support and promote the creative potential of inventors. The network is supported with a highly developed system of appreciation a incentives. Start:1995 - Finish:2003 Budget: not available yet Patent Information Centres The programme provides access to scientific and technological information that is contained within patents, registered designs and trade marks for firms and private inventors. Start: 1992 - Finish: indefinite Budget: not available |
Evaluate the possibility of issuing an ordinance to enable patent application to be made electronic INSTI - SME patent initiative The programme provides subsidies for SMEs in six areas in order to increase the use o intellectual property rights and stimulate inventions by SMEs: information search on the state of art in technology, cost-benefit-analyses of inventions, patent applications, preparation activities for commercialising an invention, using IPR abroad, technical permission of inventions. Start: 1996 - Finish: indefinite Budget: In 1999: 1.27 mill. Euro; in 1998: 0.61 mill. Euro. |
Provide financial support to the regional centres for electronic commerce |
[1] Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology-Federal Ministry of Education and Research, Innovation and jobs in the Information Society of the 21st century. www.bmwi.de/Homepage/download/english/innovation_and_jobs.pdf
Technology policy: paths to growth and employment www.bmwi.de/Homepage/download/english/technologiekonzept_e.pdf
TRENDCHART: Database of innovation policies measures in Europe http://trendchart.cordis.lu/Datasheets/index.cfm?
[2] Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology-Federal Ministry of Education and Research, Innovation and jobs in the Information Society of the 21st century. www.bmwi.de/Homepage/download/english/innovation_and_jobs.pdf
Technology policy: paths to growth and employment www.bmwi.de/Homepage/download/english/technologiekonzept_e.pdf
TRENDCHART: Database of innovation policies measures in Europe http://trendchart.cordis.lu/Datasheets/index.cfm?.
[3] Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology-Federal Ministry of Education and Research, Innovation and jobs in the Information Society of the 21st century. www.bmwi.de/Homepage/download/english/innovation_and_jobs.pdf
Technology policy: paths to growth and employment www.bmwi.de/Homepage/download/english/technologiekonzept_e.pdf
TRENDCHART: Database of innovation policies measures in Europe http://trendchart.cordis.lu/Datasheets/index.cfm?.