Ever since the launching of the Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) in the 1982 in the United States, innovation procurement through stimulation of small businesses has proven a highly efficient concept for stimulating innovation and economic growth. Often quoted success stories include Qualcomm (16 000 employees, US$ 60 billion market capitalization) and Symantec (17 000 employees, US$ 13 billion market capitalization). In Europe, several countries have taken the example of the United States establishing similar programs, such as SBRI in the United Kingdom, Forska & Väx in Sweden and SBIR in the Netherlands. On the European level structures for pre-commercial procurement have been put into place. Currently, the European Commission is looking into options for a catalytic form of innovation procurement. This event brings you the latest insights on innovation procurement through SBIR and Pre-Commercial Procurement (PCP) and offers the opportunity to discuss future EU collaboration structures with your peers from EU member states and the European Commission.
To read the full, original article click on this link: SBIR
