Partnerships & NetworksWell connected with international partners

SMEs receive services relevant to understanding and navigating in the Single Market including access to finance, EU laws and regulation (current and future) as well as practical support in accessing new markets. Each client receives a targeted and individual support package. We search for European partners and we accompany the initiation of new partnerships. We offer this service in cooperation with our European Enterprise Europe Network counterparts making use of common databases or jointly organised matchmaking events. Have a look at the network’s database.

We help SMEs to innovate. We provide information on relevant European innovation programmes and regulations and offer training courses on innovation topics including IPR, financing innovation etc. tailored to the specific needs of each individual client. International cooperations help clients to increase competitiveness and purchase technological solutions or allow innovation needs to be overcome through technology and know-how transfer. Our clients receive an individualised analysis of their innovation portfolio and suggestions for maximising their innovation potential. European partners are sourced, contacts are established and cooperation negotiations are accompanied. The EU funded network provides the necessary tools, i.e. common databases. Network partners jointly organise matchmaking events at which clients have the opportunity to meet selected partners from abroad in face-to-face meetings.

We pave the way to EU funding for SMEs. They receive support during the project biding process and to find partners. Based on their requirements and current innovation level, we find the right funding instrument for SMEs and start-ups.

Coordinated by Handwerk International, six Chambers of Commerce, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism, Baden-Württemberg International and Steinbeis Europa Zentrum form the SME contact point in Baden-Württemberg.

The geographic scope has extended significantly since then. Today, the Vanguard Initiative with more than 40 European regions cooperating to strengthen innovation and industrial growth within the EU, works on the principle of “Leading by example“ taking a place-based approach to boost regional innovation ecosystems.

Member regions:

• Austria: Lower Austria
• Belgium: Flanders, Wallonia
• Germany: Baden-Württemberg, North Rhine Westphalia, Lower Saxony, Saxony, Saxony Anhalt
• Finland: East and North Finland, Tampere region
• France: Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Grand Est, Pays de la Loire, Region Sud
• Italy Emilia-Romagna, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Lombardia, Piemonte, Autonomous Province of Bolzano, Autonomous Province of Trentino
• The Netherlands: Randstad, South Netherlands, East Netherlands, Randstad Region
• Poland: Malopolska
• Portugal: Norte
• UK: Scotland, Wales
• Slovenia: Western- and Eastern Slovenia
• Spain: Asturias, Galicia, Cantabria, Catalunya, Navarra
• Sweden: Dalarna, Gävleborg, Örebro County, Skåne, Värmland

Key topics that the network is currently focusing on include:

• Efficient and Sustainable Manufacturing (ESM)
• High Performance Production through 3D-Printing
• New Nano-enabled Products
• Bio-Economy
• Advanced Manufacturing for energy related applications in harsh environments
• Artificial Intelligence
• Smart Health
• Hydrogen (H2)

Interregional consortia of companies and (applied) research facilities from the member regions are developing innovative technological solutions and business models in these areas with the objective of subsequently implementing them through interregional demonstration pilot projects and large-scale demonstrators.

Companies and research facilities who would like to learn more about the Vanguard Initiative or who aspire to get involved, are invited to contact Steinbeis Europa Zentrum.

The regional support point, supported by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism Baden-Württemberg, aims to raise awareness for the initiative and its possibilities in regional industry and research organisations as well as to support the actors involved in the initiative together with the Ministry. This is done with the intention of demonstrating the opportunities that cooperating within this network offer individual partners from the region as well as the benefits for the region as a whole by taking part in European value-chains and interregional cooperation projects.