The European TransferINN project brings innovation to small and medium-sized businesses and entrepreneurs in the cross-border area
The European TransferINN project brings innovation to small and medium-sized businesses and entrepreneurs in the cross-border area
The European TransferINN project brings innovation to small and medium-sized businesses and entrepreneurs in the cross-border area
The Faculty of Engineering of Mondragon Unibertsitatea has participated in the project from its launch (September 2016) to its completion (November 2019)
On 20 November, the final event of the European TransferINN project was held in Barcelona, aiming to strengthen the innovation ecosystem in the cross-border area, allowing the transfer of the knowledge available in universities, technology centres, etc. to microenterprises, SMEs and entrepreneurs. The Higher Polytechnic School of Mondragon participated in this project alongside Azaro Fundazioa, ESTIA (Ecole Supérieure des Technologies Industrielles Avancées), INSUP training, University of Perpignan, and the Department of Education of the Generalitat of Catalonia.
The project presentation day was held on 14 September 2016, in Markina-Xemein, reaching its conclusion 3 years later with the presentation of the results obtained at an event held in Barcelona. In addition to the presentation of the actions carried out in the cross-border area and the objectives achieved, the closing day of the project was marked by a joint reflection on innovation, carried out by Xabier Marcet (Consultant on strategy, innovation and corporate entrepreneurship).
Thanks to the TransferINN project, innovation projects have been generated and developed in SMEs, and constant dynamics of innovation have been launched through innovation and internationalisation managers that have implemented comprehensive and constant systems in around 150 SMEs. 45 people have also been trained in innovation management and internationalisation, and 4 specialised cross-border nodes or working groups of innovation and knowledge transfer have been created in these areas: one in the agri-food industry, two in advanced manufacturing, and one in tourism.
The work carried out around this project has generated the interest of 25 knowledge agents (technology centres, universities, etc.), with 6 agreements reached between companies and research centres, resulting in the development of marketable products: Vracoop (distributors of bulk products made of cardboard), Stample (post-office box for business), and Xubaka (two-wheeled electric vehicles), among others.
Regarding the knowledge acquired in the follow-up meetings and exchange of good practices, the “Design Thinking” method applied to digital transformation, the highlights included the systematics to foster business promotion and the services of technology parks and entrepreneurship and innovation centres.
TransferINN The TransferINN project has been co-financed at 65% by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Spain-France-Andorra Interreg V-A Programme (POCTEFA 2014-2020), whose goal is to strengthen the economic and social integration of the Spain-France-Andorra border area. Its assistance focuses on the development of cross-border economic, social and environmental activities through joint strategies that favour sustainable territorial development.