Cleantech Incubation EuropeInterreg program

Creating incubation and innovation BEST PRACTICE

from East to West parts of EU to boost Europe’s cleantech sector

Dr. Csaba Fogarassy, Szent Istvan University, Hungary

Co-authors: Norberto Patrignani, I3P Incubator, Turin, ItalyPauline van der Vorm, Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands

Why is CIE?

A partnership of 6 EU regions, 11 partners

Objective: 1. Provide authorities with skills & knowledge to (further) develop

their policy instruments for support of clean tech SME’s2. Help cities/regions facilitate and support cleantech incubators

What is CIE?

Approach:– Organize thematic seminars in partner cities to present

local best practices– Inventory of 15 European best practices – EU Innovation and incubation best practices Handbook

Outcome: New insights on cleantech incubation policies and improved policies in member regions

CIE Questionnaire

What policies (strategies, structures and processes) are most effective in enabling and supporting

cleantech incubation at regional level?

Many examples exist throughout Europe, but which instruments are suitable, successful?

„Good Practice” in Helsinki

• Cleantech business is one of Finland’s economic policy priorities – aiming prompt the creation of 40 000 jobs by 2020 and double the total revenue (20 billion € 40 billion € by 2018)

• Finland ranked 4th best country in the world in Global Cleantech Innovation Index (no 1 in public R&D work, and 2nd in supporting innovations)

• Cleantech cluster network (in Helsinki region represented by Green Net Finland), based on triple-helix model and supported by national Centre of Expertise programme is supporting the creation of pilots and references

• Comprehensive cleantech nation-branding efforts that also integrate regional cleantech clusters

• Good availability of national funding (i.e. Tekes, Sitra, Academy of Finland)

„Good Practice in Copenhagen”

• A strong national agenda on greening the economy since 1975 and regional focus on 4 cleantech themes (wind, smart energy systems, bio-energy and fuel cells).

• A dense network of long-term collaborating triple-helix partners that create a strong innovation cluster (NGOs, regional government, incubators, universities, science parks, banks, pensionfunds, companies, research institutes, consultancy companies, and VCs)

• Good cluster infrastructure and test/demo facilities in the region (science parks, business parks, research facilities)

• Dedicated cluster development organization (CCC), Dedicated entrepreneurship education program (Nxt Gen)

• Three incubators with business, capital, knowledge and networks

Experiences and Conclusions of the Questionnaires in Hungary

Company profile: project managementProject: The Project allows farmers independent from Project Leader to realize income enough to introduce climate-friendly, sustainable production technology change.

During the course of agrotechnics shift farmers carry out soil preparation, nutrient management practice that reduces fossil originated artificial fertilizer use by 50 kg/ha 'N' active agent in average, nutrient absorbing capacity of the soil can be significantly compared to earlier practice, carbon loss of the soil can be reduced about 8 tons/ha/year.

The interviewed person:

Respondent:FIRST HUNGARIAN CARBONMANAGEMENT LTD.

Outcomes

• Good ideas and new technological solutions!• The successful ‘Business models’ are missing! • How we can define the Clusters concept’ role in

the incubation process? - huge regulation and cooperation risk!

• Not clear - Business relationship between Start-ups and Incubator company!

Main challenges• Unstable policies regarding cleantech makes (some) cleantech

investment risky for private investors• No market pressures in the current model• Lack of a common interest among stakeholders• Lifestyle Innovators• Lack of a long term solution for ongoing funding

PRESENT DAYS:• Strong medium and long term targets in the environment and cleantech sector.• Variety of funding opportunities for incubators, cleantech startups and SMEs

Budapest „Bad Practice”?

General challenges in Europe in case of cleantech innovations

• Relatively small number of cleantech startups compared to startups in general.

• Entrepreneurial attitude of employees at universities (and government) still relatively weak. Still not so many spinoffs from research as is aimed for.

• Funding of the activities of the EU Clusters after 2013 not yet secured. High regulation and co operational risk!

• Still a lack of testing and demonstration facilities in the region (eg. for testing proof-of-concepts) for cleantech companies.

• Very relevant differences between the european innovation practice on the same market and regulation background.

• Lock of clear business oriented research and innovation programs (Market oriented financial fund for cleantech or low-carbon innovations).

New innovation ways in EU

Source: EIT director, Manuel Leceta

Source: EIT director, José-Manuel Leceta

EUROPEAN „MIT”

Source: EIT director, José-Manuel Leceta

Thanks for your attention!

fogarassy.csaba@gtk.szie.hu

http://cleantechincubation.eu/