Insights

For those of us who work with EU projects, it feels quite natural, after a while, to talk in terms of milestones, work packages and deliverables. For those who really will benefit from the results of the projects – the market – this is all Greek."I am a work package leader in the projects IRIS and United-Grid. In addition, I am responsible for certain specific tasks, milestones and deliverables," Ulrika Wahlström, Innovation Project Manager at IMCG says and laughs, well aware that this is gibberish for ordinary people.   

Finland’s EU presidency begins on 1 July 2019. During that time, major changes to innovation funding were achieved. This time around, our presidency oversees the preparations for Horizon 2020 with unprecedented levels of funding. EU funding can be leveraged to further industry’s innovations and commercialising them, and access to EU funding is easier than ever. It is time for Finnish industry to make the most out of their innovations. EU innovation funding only has impact only if it has the industry to lead the way.

Allergies and asthma affect at least a quarter of the population. While often harmless, an increasing number of people suffer from severe allergies, resulting in more than 300.000 avoidable deaths per year. The WHO therefore declared allergy a major health problem of the 21st century. Currently, medical practitioners must pre-select very few allergens for in-vitro testing, based on prior anamnesis, which often results in false or incomplete diagnosis. There is no cost-efficient technology to improve the quality of diagnosis to an optimal level for patient-tailored and evidence-based treatment. The fast-growing segment of molecular diagnostic tests requires a new generation of assays and laboratory automation.

SWEETWOODS is a 43-million-euro joint pilot project that was recently granted 21 million euros in funding under the EU’s Horizon 2020 programme’s Bio-Based Industries financial instrument. Horizon 2020 is the biggest research and innovation programme in the world, supporting the development and introduction of new technologies. SWEETWOODS represented the only flagship project in the bioeconomy sector. The project is implemented through collaborative efforts of nine partner companies.

The possibilities of EU funding - case example of a success story.

EU Breakfast seminar: In just 1,5 hours, learn if your company could receive funding. At the same time you will learn how the SME instrument will change in the beginning of 2018 and how this will affect you. After the presentations, you have the possibility to discuss your potential for EU funding with experts and go through already existing project ideas.

Fast Track to Innovation is a funding instrument to boost close-to-market innovation projects.

EuroNanoForum 2017 event concluded on 23^rd of June in Valletta, Malta after three successful conference and exhibition days that attracted participants from over 40 countries and brought nanotechnology and open innovations in focus to strengthen the competitiveness of European manufacturing industries. In addition to being a co-organiser of the event, Spinverse took an active participant role as well, with Managing Director Laura Koponen, headlining a plenary session on "nanotechnologies for industrial success".

Spinverse has helped EuroPAT-MASIP project to secure funding from the Horizon 2020 programme within the “Electronics Components and Systems for European Leadership” (ECSEL) Joint Undertaking. The project ranked in the top 3 proposals submitted.