EasyFinance - Success Cases Catalogue

Success Cases Catalogue

March 2013

I’m ready!

by the European Regional Development Fund

Easy Finance what is it?

Easy Finance was launched through the MED Programme fostering Cooperation in the Mediterranean countries.

Easy Finance is designed for SMEs and innovative entrepreneurs to enable them to access an online platform bringing together public or private sources of funding at the local, regional, national and European.

Objectives

The main objective of the project is to foster entrepreneurship, enterprise promotion, and economic development. The specific objectives and pursuit of the project is to increase access to financing newborn and needing capital enterprises to start up innovative projects simplifying, as the European Commission recommends, access to information and capital procedures.

Easy Finance Project is aimed at reinforcing innovative assistance services for enterprises in order to increase their access to financing through a transnational system of intensive use of innovation and knowledge technologies. In the pursuit of creating new innovative enterprises and of injecting capital in growth enterprises, the project will create new methodologies and will propose a shared space of resources between business development and innovation centers in the Mediterranean.

Partnership

The heterogeneity of the partnership will allow knowing how the processes to access financing are approached from different points of view: public promotion agencies, University incubators, Financing Offer in Technological Parks.

Easy Finance is led by the Economic Development Agency of Alicante in Spain and consists of 5 partners from 4 countries: Andalusian Institute of Technology, Spain Business Innovation Center La Fucina, Italy Lamoro development Agency, Italy University of Primorska, Slovenia French Riviera Chamber of Commerce and Industry, France

by the European Regional Development Fund

Best Cases Summary 70 innovative companies have been selected by the Partners (20 per country) and surveyed according to selected criteria. The levels of innovative products and services, as well as the level of innovative management have been assessed. Out of these seventies, 20 companies have been identified as best case.

The common points for being best cases are the following:

They obtained appropriate financing for innovative project; They allocated a high level of resources to innovation; They contributed to product innovative services as well as to innovative management; They involved public research or universities to their development; They included sustainable development in their activities; They demonstrated a strong willingness for sustainable development in all areas of business development, employment increase, technology enhancement, international presence, a strategy of local territorial presence.

by the European Regional Development Fund

Questionnaire used to assess and to select innovative companies: This questionnaire consists of different tables, each of which relates to various aspects of business innovation management. These tables have been developed to facilitate an initial self-assessment from companies that want to know their level of maturity in terms of business innovation.

The questionnaire derived from the model of business innovation management, so as to consider the criteria and subcriteria of the model, and give them a simple and friendly structure and format, with aspects to consider and examples of each one of them, and integrating a linear scale of assessment in order for the user to define his position.

It includes a number of sections to facilitate the work of analysis and systematization of information to organizations implementing self-assessment, and they specifically are the followings:

Assessment: To measure the organization’s maturity level in the aspect of it being

assessed. Based on the evidence found (no evidence, some evidence, evidence, clear evidence, total evidence) it is provided a score on a scale ranging from 0 to 5.

Assessment

No evidence 1

Little evidence 2

Some evidence 3

Clear evidence 4

Total evidence 5

Strengths: It collects all the evidence (specific facts or data, documentary evidence, records...) upon which the organization is based to determine a high score on the assessment scale.

Areas for improvement:

It collects all the evidence (specific facts or data, documentary evidence, records...) upon which the organization is based to determine a low score on the assessment scale.

For the final score, each score obtained in each questionnaire table is moved to the summary table of scores included at the end of this document.

by the European Regional Development Fund

1. STRATEGY AND INNOVATION CULTURE 1.1: Does the management of the organization establish an innovation strategy?

1.2: Is there an innovation culture in the organization?

1.3: Has a policy on R&D+I been defined in the organization?

2. Sustainable strategy 2.1: Does the management and planning of the organization show evident positive / negative impact on the environment?

2.2: Does the organization carry out activities for knowledge management?

3. SCENE MONITORING 3.1: Is it provided a system to identify information needs?

3.2: Have the sources and means of access to information been identified?

3.3: Is it provided a systematic search for information?

3.4: Is there a treatment, dissemination and monitoring of information?

3.5: Is it used a methodology for assessing the information?

4. ANALYSIS 4.1: Is there an internal analysis to implement innovation activities?

4.2: Are problems and opportunities identified for the organization?

5. GENERATION AND SELECTION OF IDEAS 5.1: Does the organization foster creativity and teamwork?

5.2: Is it provided a system to generate ideas?

5.3: Is it provided a mechanism to select ideas?

6. INNOVATION PROJECTS MANAGEMENT 6.1: Is it made a planning for innovation projects? Is it implemented a monitoring and control of innovation projects?

6.2: Is the operation and protection of the results of innovation projects suggested?

Are the results of innovation projects implemented and assessed?

7. INNOVATION RESULTS 7.1: How relevant are the final results of innovation?

by the European Regional Development Fund

SCORES IN ASSESSMENT CRITERIA Title Management responsibility

Scores Question 1.1: Question 1.2:

R&D+I policy

Question 1.3: Criterion 1

STRATEGY AND INNOVATION CULTURE

Sustainable strategy

Question 2.1:

Knowledge management

Question 2.2:

Criterion 2 Identification of needs, sources and means of access to information

Search, processing and dissemination of information Information enhancement Criterion 3

SUSTAINABLE STRATEGY

(Average subcriteria)

Question 3.1: Question 3.2: Question 3.3: Question 3.4: Question 3.5: SCENE MONITORING

Internal analysis

Question 4.1:

External analysis

Question 4.2: Criterion 4

(Average subcriteria)

(Average subcriteria)

(Average subcriteria)

ANALYSIS Question 5.1:

Generation of ideas Question 5.2: Selection of ideas

Question 5.3: Criterion 5

GENERATION AND SELECTION OF IDEAS

Planning, monitoring and control of innovation projects

Question 6.1:

Results of innovation projects

Question 6.2:

Criterion 6 Final results indicators Criterion 7

INNOVATION PROJECTS MANAGEMENT

(Average subcriteria)

(Average subcriteria)

Question 7.1.1: INNOVATION RESULTS

(Average subcriteria)

II. TOTAL SCORES = (Criterion 1+...+7)/7 by the European Regional Development Fund

BIOPRESERV Director: Thierry Lacour Address: France Date of the Interview: 27-08-2012

Brief Description Activity: Consultant in management and Biotechnology Category: Services - R&D Date of creation: 2011

FRENCH RIVIERA BEST CASES - FRANCE

Number of Employees: Micro enterprise: 4 employees BioPreserv offers a range of testing and technical support dedicated to the field of biocides

.

Innovative Best Case for the French Riviera territory

Biopreserv is innovative because of its business model. The domain of competence is very large their core areas of expertise are cosmetics, detergents and building materials additional market applications‌It proposes an integrated service on the microbiology, chemistry and regulatory affairs with a unique coordinator for all 3 fields of support: -Microbiology / Chemistry: Biocide efficiency testing - Microbiological sterility testing - Microbial identification Chemical stability testing of biocides - Accelerated aging tests - Verification of biocide dosing levels in formulated products -Consulting: Management of research and development projects - Industrial hygiene audits - Support for Technical data sheet creation - Transition management -Regulatory: BPD / Reach - Biocidal product efficiency claims and supporting test programs - Support for the preparation of product authorization dossiers - Support for the preparation of technical sheets, exposure scenarios and risk assessments They ran 40 projects the first year, the second 60 projects and it is expected for 2013: 300 projects.

80% of theirs quotes are validated and customers recognized their efficiency.

They are recognized at the local market but have to communicate more about their services to reach other markets.

Contact Information Director: Thierry Lacour Website: http://www.biopreserv.fr/ E-mail: biopreserv@gmail.com by the European Regional Development Fund

ECOAT President: Olivier Choulet Address: France Date of the Interview: 14-09-2012 Brief Description Activity: Innovative eco-friendly coatings Category: R&D Date of creation: 2011

FRENCH RIVIERA BEST CASES - FRANCE

Number of Employees: Micro enterprise – 12 employees Ecoat develops bio-based chemistries for the Coatings Industry. Ecoat’s strategy is based on a patented technology and has 2 pillars: - Build a worldwide franchise on innovative bio-based alkyd emulsion - Build industry partnerships for the deployment of the patented technology outside the alkyd emulsion market.

Innovative Best Case for the French Riviera territory Ecoat is an innovative company on the coat market representing 3 billion euros. Ecoat could cover 20% of this market due to its sustainable development strategy.

Ecoat is modern and innovative firstly because it takes into consideration the sustainable development by ecofriendly products and has an innovative management “Corporate Social Responsibility”.

Its strengths are to have patent technology leading to Eco-Coating: It developed a new patented technology for post application cross linking that make a significant inroad in the green chemistry deployment. In the coating applications, the technology allows to: - Substitute the cobalt driers, which can be labelled toxic for the environment - Replace 2K solvent systems into 1K water-based system (polyester or epoxy resins….)

- Improve durability and performances of existing resins (acrylic, vinyl…)

- Develop the reactivity of natural oils The technology reduces the conception to 5 hours instead of 20 hours traditionally. So has a benefit impact on the conception costs.

In 2012 the turnover is about 1million 500 thousand euros.

Contact Information President: Olivier Choulet Website: http://www.ecoat.fr/ E-mail: olivier.choulet@ecoat.fr by the European Regional Development Fund

LUDOTIC Director: Teresa Colombi Address: France Date of the Interview: 03-09-2012 Brief Description Activity: Human engineering for digital interfaces Category: IT Date of creation: 2004

FRENCH RIVIERA BEST CASES - FRANCE

Number of Employees: Micro enterprise – 5 employees Ludotic is specialized on human engineering, human factor, cognitive psychology, research methodology, Eye-Tracking (eye movement analysis) to simplify digital interfaces

Innovative Best Case for the French Riviera territory Company originated from a research institute in Psychology in Nice and specialized on human engineering.

Ludotic is innovative by the method: Sharp analysis from the point of view to analyze eye movements that see the person on a given medium Ludotic is innovative by the market it aims for: video game market (serious game), smart phone etc… The U.S. market for the serious games is already estimated at $ 242 million, an increase of 197%.

R&D is an important aspect for this company to propose innovative services and advices. The accessibility of the Web 2.0, evaluation of the video games usability, technologies are at the heart of their work. More than 15% of their resources are for the R&D and have the French label of “young innovative company”.

They are competitive, they realized more than 200 projects, and 15% of their turnover comes from the exportation.

Its customers are from different sectors: French Direction of Armaments (DGA), France Telecom, Thales, Micro enterprises, Incubators… that trust into their efficiency.

They are known and recognized for their good management that enhances innovation. It federates the competencies and results among its employees by brainstorming session, team building… .

Contact Information Director: Teresa Colombi Website: http://www.ludotic.fr/ E-mail: teresa@ludo-tic.com

by the European Regional Development Fund

SUPRAMECA Director: Dominique Vinci Address: France Date of the Interview: 14-09-2012

Brief Description Activity: Innovative and high technology solutions (Mechanic, pyrotechnic, electronic) Category: Engineering

FRENCH RIVIERA BEST CASES - FRANCE

Date of creation: 2009 Number of Employees: Micro-enterprise – 4 employees Suprameca develops innovative and high technology solutions on Offshore, Military (mine-clearing & anti-terrorism) associated with other technics.

Innovative Best Case for the French Riviera territory Suprameca is positioned as an expert in equipment pyrotechnics: using explosive powder to achieve the function of the equipment. For example: the airbag outbreak and the belt pretension are based on pyrotechnics The company has strong R & D priorities. They are doing fundamental and applied research to create innovative products and solutions. Innovation is at the heart of the company strategy. They are qualified by a French label of “young innovative company” that mean they have at least 15% of their resources in R&D. Its strength is to be positioned into a niche market: - Off shore: setting anodes underwater 150m deep expertise - Anti-terrorism: Rapid Tools for Intervention – Customers are from international police and army - Under water and field mine-clearing: Bomb surgical to diffuse or destroy mines The company had to face a long period of penetration of the market. But now Suprameca develops 30 products, 15% of this market and 80% of the turnover come from the international Suprameca is laureate by R&D minister and won many other trophy and grants…

Contact Information Director: Dominique Vinci Website: http://www.suprameca.com/ E-mail: contact@suprameca.com

by the European Regional Development Fund

18Months S.r.l.

Director Name: BIFFI Alvise Address: Via Venezia, 23 - 20099 Sesto San Giovanni (MI), ITALY Date of the Interview: 24/07/2012 Brief Description Activity: 18months Srl is an italian start up, born in late 2011 and grown into the LIB incubator in Sesto S. Giovanni.

Fueled by the will of a team of young and creative entrepreneurs, it aims to simplify life and user experience through intelligent use of the power of cloud computing, bringing back the "social factor" into daily life..

Category: ICT Date of creation: 3rd November 2011 Number of Employees: 8 ( partners + employees) Outline: 18months's core business is the design and development of cloud based solutions, covering every phase with attention and passion, from the modelling and engineering, to the final deployment.

MILAN BEST CASES - ITALY

Innovative Best Case for the Milan territory Outline: 18months, a few months after its establishment, it already represents one of the best case of the local entrepreneurial network.

Thanks to the partnership with Secure Network Srl and the support of LIB Incubator in Sesto San Giovanni, the company has developed an innovative solution for the cinema and theatre market: 18Ticket.

18Ticket is the first Italian application for Cloud Ticketing totally Pay per Use; it supports all main social networks and allows to the users an innovative experience in ticket reservation for cinema and theatre.

This new application is able to provide in the same time services to sellers and buyers with a full integrated platform of eTicketing, eCommerce, Box office services and Bar. The last October 2012 the company received an award during a Venture contest in Lombardy Region and following the event where published 2 articles in most important economic Italian newspapers.

As a result of this promotion, the company received an increasing number of business requests.

In few months, since the start up phase, the company has been financed in 2 different regional grants for the innovation programs. Thanks this grant 18months will increase its organization chart with 2 new employment during the 2013.

The company is also working on a new product addressed to the Museum market.

Due to the fast growth of its business 18months will have to redefine its organisation chart: a new marketing and sell area is required to support the management and technical area.

Contact Information 18Months S.r.l.

Via Venezia, 23 - 20099 Sesto San Giovanni (MI), ITALY Phone: +39 02 24126787 email: info@18months.it by the European Regional Development Fund

BLOONN S.r.l.

Director Name: BAHAR Nissan Address: Largo Settimio Severo, 3 - 20144 Milano (MI), ITALY Date of the Interview: 04/09/2012 Brief Description Activity: Bloonn is a private venture specialized in the creation and development of innovative products in the information technology market.

Over a year of preliminary research and development was invested in creating the Keepod project, an activity that already in its early stages was acknowledged by market leaders such as IBM and VMware for its innovative approach.

Category: ICT Date of creation: February 2010 Number of Employees: 11 ( partners + employees) Keepod aims to enable people to shape, manage and always carry with them their digital soul, in order to meet everywhere their needs in terms of working environment, access to services and digital identity, both for private and professional use. www.keepod.com

Innovative Best Case for the Milan territory Bloonn and his project Keepod represents one of the highest level of innovation in Milan area.

MILAN BEST CASES - ITALY

Since from the start up phase the company had the strategy of innovation like main goal of the business model.

In few months, the team of partners was able to share and spread the innovative project all over the main European countries and also Israel.

The project has been developed also in partnership with some important companies in the Italian market: Unicredit Bank, IBM, ATM (The public company of transportation in the city of Milan): these companies represent at the same time strategic partners and also customers.

Due of that issue the company grew up in terms of employees with a team of developers and technicians working in Italy, Russia, UK and Israel.

The company keeps on working hard in 3 different areas: marketing and sales, communication and technology development.

The collaboration with Universities and with the most important players of ICT market contribute to increase quickly the market share and the spread of his innovative technology.

In the present and also in the foreseeable future it’s very important for the company a permanent process of analysis and project management.

Due to the fast market growth and expansion, a right marketing strategy is needed; in the meanwhile new staff and financial support is needed in order to reach the business targets.

Actually the company has a branch in 3 different countries: UK - headquarter, ITALY and Israel.

Because of this fast expansion in strategic markets the company has already planned to increase its staff with new employees: by the end of 2013, 4 new employment are considered.

In terms of services and product protection, the company has already started the process of an international patenting for Keepod project.

Contact Information email: italy@keepod.com by the European Regional Development Fund

KALPA S.r.l.

Director Name: BARNA Flavio Address: Via Venezia, 23 - 20099 Sesto San Giovanni (MI), ITALY Date of the Interview: 27/07/2012 Brief Description Activity: Kalpa is a young italian consultancy company focused on the design and development of embedded software, firmware and high-tech systems. The goal of Kalpa is to contribute, through hightech choices and specialized support, to the creation of innovation and value for companies operating in the embedded world.

Category: ICT Date of creation: 18 January 2012 Number of Employees: 12 ( partners + employees) Kalpa organization, through cross-competencies teams, permits the development of innovative solutions tailored to different areas, from home automation to the process automation, from telecommunications networks to the environmental control, energy and equipment, from electrical to electronic devices. Here a brief overview on target markets: Electro-medical – Energy - Home Automation – Automotive – Mobile – Industry – Transportation – Electronics - Aerospace and Defense - Telecommunications

MILAN BEST CASES - ITALY

Innovative Best Case for the Milan territory Kalpa is an attentive company, flexible in optimizing working methods, helping each client to get the most from the collaboration. This working model, through the use of technical experts, delivers solutions with high technological and value-added contents and lower costs.

From the start up phase the company grew up really fast creating new job positions and increasing its market share.

Kalpa creates value for its customers through attention to the quality of its services and to a close customer relationship; knowledge of differentiated needs; service offering and the appropriate way of customer relationship for each segment and each market.

In few months since the start up phase the company has been financed in 5 different regional and national grants for the innovation programs and patent activities.

The amount of these grants is about 100k/€ against 150k/€ of costs.

Their permanent collaboration with universities and Research centers allows the company to follow the frequent changes of the target market.; actually the staff is involved in 3 main projects for 3 different market area: Automotive, Electro-medical and TLC. Thanks to the development of these projects, in 2013 the company foresee a strong growth in terms of turnover.

Because of the complexity and plurality of the activities of the business model, a strong focus on customers and on managing changes is needed.

The company has already planned new employment by the end of 2013: 3 people more will be integrated in the organization chart; since the start up, Kalpa moved from 5 til 15 employees!

Contact Information Phone: +39 02.87187579

-

email: info@kalpa.it by the European Regional Development Fund

EFFICOLD

Director: Manuel Pastor Iglesias Address: Ctra. Córdoba - Málaga, km 80.800. 14900.LUCENA (Córdoba) ·Spain Date of the Interview: 29/01/2013 Brief Description Activity: Production of commercial and industrial refrigeration equipment Category: Metal-mechanic industry Date of creation: 1989 Number of Employees: 350 The main activity of Efficold includes the production of commercial refrigeration equipment, manufacturing wine racks, coolers, glass refrigerators, etc. with the value added of researching, developping and finally selling its own products. Currently, they offer a large catalogue of products, besides, they produce around 100 000 units per year. Efficold has qualified laboratories where the R&D department develops new designs and certifies its quality, energy conservation and good service.

andalusian BEST CASES - SPAIN

Innovative Best Case for the Andalusian territory Innovation in Energy Conservation and Sustainability applied to Commercial Refrigeration Efficold encourages good practices in the design and development of components and technologies aiming to improve the energy conservation of its refrigeration equipments.

Moreover, it proposes improvements viewing to decrease the enviromental impact of its equipments. These good practices can be summarised as follows: 











Life-cycle assessment of the products to analyse their environmental impacts associated with all the stages of the product's life from-cradle-to-grave (manufacturing, distribution, use and disposal).

Research guided to decrease the ecological impact of the refrigeration equipments aiming to reduce it by 60% Assessment of new thermal insulation techniques and, in general, of 100% recyclable and reusable materials.

Support the use of natural gas (hydrocarbons and CO2) as refrigerants for equipments. The use of this “clean gas” avoids the ozone depletion while decreasing the equipments energy consumption by 35% (due to its better performance).

Research focused on the decrease of noisy pollution of its equipments through the development of silent technologies. Research of systems and use of components in our laboratories in order to decrease decibels.

Decrease of the equipments energy consumption through the priority use of natural refrigerators and energy-saving LED light source.

Contact Information o

Contact Details: Roberto Valerio

o Position: Head of Innovation Area o e-mail address: r.valerio@efficold.com o Telephone Number: +34 957 502 627

by the European Regional Development Fund

LIMASA

Contact Name: Carlos Ruiz Rubio Address: Camino Medioambiental, 23 EDIFICIO LIMASA 29010 Málaga (SPAIN) Date of the Interview: 04/02/13 Brief Description

andalusian BEST CASES - SPAIN

Activity: Street Cleaning and Municipal Solid Waste Integral Management Category: CNAE 8129 9000 Date of creation: 2001 Number of Employees: 1613 averaged in 2012

*

The approach of this good practice was the creation of multidisciplinary creative teams to solve problems in the company, operational, organizational or relational and provoking new ideas and help us further improve our brand image about our main group interest (stakeholder), the citizens of Malaga.

Using various techniques of group creativity, we developed several working sessions with people from the management structure and policy, trying to give a multicriteria approach to all our proposals and plans. In addition, analysis techniques and evaluation of ideas were used to achieve a common position between 5 and 8 people that made creative teams.

We finally got the willingness of our departments to open-mindedness and developing new ways to face the challenges of the future be a reality, so that we continue to use this good practice in areas of motivation of people, and in the improving safety at work of our daily activities.

Innovative Best Case for the Andalusian Region Development of innovation through Creativity: “If we want to obtain different results than we have had, we cannot continue doing the same things that we have done” (A. Einstein) On the basis that “thinking is for free, however, not thinking can turn out to be very expensive”, since some time ago LIMASA has been aiming to get used to creativity techniques in order to tackle with future challenges.

Having this objective in mind, this Andalusian company has joined forces to transmit to all its employees the importance of competitive growth through innovation in the framework of an ever-more demanding market. Certainly, this cannot be possible unless we set up a culture of change in the whole organization, something necessary to be able to tackle new challenges and established cases.

Yet in this business context, and keeping the current economic circumstances in mind, it’s difficult to introduce the use of creativity as a work tool in an organization and it’s even more difficult to set it up “culturally”. Therefore, LIMASA is making a huge effort with its employees at developping creative sesions in order to implement varied creativity techniques.

We have worked in several fields aiming, on the one hand, to integrate a multidisciplinary approach to problem-solving and, on the other hand, to carry out intensive and systematic studies concerning proposals for improvements and solutions provided by the participants to these meetings. The following fields were convered in first: Marketing strategy - Operative design - Human resources management - Balanced budget

by the European Regional Development Fund

We have created some working groups for the aforementioned goals, who worked by following the creative process stages: 1.

2.

3.

4.

Description of the problem (Analytic approach) Generation of multiple answers to this problem (Divergent thinking) Decision-making process (Decisive approach) Determine priorities on the right answer (Convergent thinking)

All this shows just a little part of the huge effort LIMASA is making in order to encourage a culture of change acceptation and a company opening to creativity. However, these intentions are not of any use unless the people integrating this organisation accept a real change in the company culture, that makes possible a sustainable and cross curricular change (no matter the section or department they belonge to).

andalusian BEST CASES - SPAIN

Therefore, this company has adopted a specific way to work aiming to invigorate a creativity-based culture consisting of: Setting up creative projects where all our “creativity invigorating players” volunteer.

Working in a creative way in order to find solutions for situations that worry workers, customers and the whole organization.

Looking for new ways to encourage people’s both extrinsic and intrinsic motivation.

Working to improve safety at the workplace.

This way, LIMASA makes an effort every day to reach a more creative, innovative and open to change organization, equipped with enough resources to tackle marketing challenges and, in the same framework, able to growth in a competitive and sustainable way.

Contact Information

Contact Details: Carlos Ruiz o Position: Head of Innovation and Cooperation Area o e-mail address: cruizr@limasa3.com o Telephone Number: +34 952 23 22 80

o

by the European Regional Development Fund

Mecatecnic

Address C/ Early Ovington, 16., Parque Tecnológico Aeronáutico Aerópolis CP 41300 La Rinconada, Sevilla Brief Description Activity: Manufacture of machining elements, development of tools both for manufacturing and assembly, Laser Tracker measuring systems and ultrasonic testing of carbon fiber elements Category: Manufacturing Date of creation: 1977 Number of Employees: 60 Implementation of a warehouse management system aiming to increase efficiency within logistic internal and external processes in its organization, and viewing to satisfy the most demanding requirements of its main customers.

andalusian BEST CASES - SPAIN

Innovative Best Case for the Andalusian territory During the last decade, the logistic management has been identified as a decisive factor for companies’ competitiveness, not only because of its, but also because it allows to cut down on materials and information spences in companies.

Within the logistic management, warehouses management has turned out to be one of the main key processes, in so fas as the company’s capacity to reach the service levels committed with customers depends strongly on that warehouses management, together with the efficiency of both the operations and the required spaces.

Traditionally within the aeronautical industry, warehouses has been considered “a lesser evil” to become nowadays in an important cost center with major pitfalls, leading to breach of commitments with the costumers. Among the most common problems in the warehousing process we can highlight: - The long time it takes to find products because of the ignorance of its real location - Loss of traceability of the product and its displacements in the storage area.

- Lack of communication with other processes involved as the purchasing process, that makes it impossible to make decisions based on an real-time and reliable information.

- Repetitive displacements during the order piking.

- Appearance of mistakes when identifying products.

- Loss of time in inventory control because of the mistrust in the system.

- Little optimization of human resources involved in the aforementioned operations.

The new demands of its main customer concerning expenses and product deliverings just force Mecantecnic to set up a warehouse management system viewing the optimization of its logistic processes, together with the elimination or minimization of the previously mentioned problems.

This is milestone in the aeronautical industry, as, to date, none of the aeronautical SMEs in the Andalusian region had a warehouse management system with such a features that make it easier for companies to decide about: - The best location to storage materials according to its rotation capacity, weight, size and dangerousness (among other factors).

- The correct order of the tasks when preparing a customer request aiming to minimize the worker displacement. by the European Regional Development Fund

The following summary shows the most relevant points that a good practice in the matter of aeronautical logistics brings along: - Monitoring of locations in real-time. This allows the organization to know what products they have where they are (aeronautical parts, elements, tools, etc.)

- Traceability of operations that take place in the warehouse - Monitoring of storage operations - Optimization of displacements in the warehouse - Monitoring of events and reimbursements - Use of radio frequency allowing working with wireless devices to accomplish their tasks.

Contact Information

andalusian BEST CASES - SPAIN

o Contact Details: Daniel Castillo Mendoza o Position: Operations Manager o e-mail address: dcastillo@mecatecnic.es o Telephone Number: +34 954 41 41 06

by the European Regional Development Fund

ADHBIO. Bioadhesives Medtech Solutions Director Name: Mr. Manuel Martínez Address: Polígono Industrial Carrús. Edificio CEEI, Ronda Vall d'Uxó, 125, nave 15 03206 Elche (Alicante, Spain) Brief Description Activity: Technology based company engaged in the research, development, manufacturing and commercialization of advanced high-strenght adhesives and sealants for wound management and closure in surgical applications as an alternative to traditional procedures such as suture, staples or tapes.

Category: SME in Biotech. Medical Devices.

Date of creation: 2008.

Number of Employees: 4

ALICANTE BEST CASES – SPAIN

Adhbio is a spanish technology based company engaged in the research, development, manufacturing and commercialization of advanced high-strenght adhesives and sealants for wound management and closure in surgical applications as an alternative to traditional procedures such as suture, staples or tapes.

Innovative Best Case for the Alicante territory With its innovative technology, Adhbio is the only company in the world that manufactures multicomponent cyanoacrylate based bioadhesives. One of Adhbio's main strengths is the design of biocompatible, resorbable and flexible adhesives and sealants for specific applications by means of a strong research support.

The company has a robust product pipeline under development supported by strong intellectual property and patents. Its lead products are in the process of approval in Europe. Other products are ready to enter preclinical and clinical trials.

The company has presence in the animal health sector as well (www.adhvet.com).

Bioadhesives and sealants. The bioadhesives and sealants developed and manufactured by Adhbio are multicomponent products whose advanced formulation is based in cyanoacrylate blended with “chemical plasticizer” components.

The optimal combination of the different components makes possible a wide variety of product families with improved properties for wound closure and surgical applications attending to requirements of flexibility, adhesive strength, sealant capacity, tissue nature, temperature, time of application, etc.

Adhbio is the only company in the world that manufactures multi-component cyanoacrylate based bioadhesives. Products and technology are protected by patents.

by the European Regional Development Fund

Adhbio products: Adhesives offer significant benefits over conventional ways of closing wounds such as sutures or staples: pre and post-surgery time and economic saving associated to the reduced need of anesthesia and surgical cures, since removal of stitches is not necessary; lower risk of infection; aesthetic improvement due to healing inhibition, etc.

In addition to these beneficts, Adhbio's technology allows the development of multicomponent products, with improved performance.

Some of the main advantages of Adhbio’s products are: Higher flexibility (even under tension) Low degree of inflammation (controlled exothermicity) Ease of application Excellent histological tolerance Faster product bioadegradation Inherent sterility

ALICANTE BEST CASES – SPAIN

R&D Strategy: Adhbio develops an ambitious R&D strategy in alliance with some strategic entities, such us: Adhesion and Adhesives Laboratory of Alicante University Research Foundation of the Valencia General Hospital The R&D plan covers: Development of new components and blending formulations for advanced bioadhesives and sealants New medical and surgical applications Development of preclinical and clinical trials Development of new medical devices

Contact Information Contact Details: Mr. Manuel Martínez o Position: Founder and CEO o e-mail address: info@adhbio.com o Web: www.adhbio.com o Telephone Number: +34 966661017 o

by the European Regional Development Fund

MEDICALCARE SPAIN

Director Name: Mrs. Ana Espadas Address: Calle Navas 12-14 03001 Alicante (Spain) Brief Description Activity: Healthcare; Medical services Category: SME in Healthcare sector Date of creation: 2010 Number of Employees: 3

Medical Care Spain is a comprehensive healthcare service run by a highly qualified and experienced professional team that helps patients to find and organise the exact medical treatment they need, reducing costs and often getting the same if not better treatment abroad than you could at home, in a comfortable environment of the Alicante coast.

Innovative Best Case for the Andalusian territory MedicalCare Spain is an innovative collaborative environment on health services in Alicante.

ALICANTE BEST CASES – SPAIN

They work directly with our providers giving you support and assistance all throughout your treatment. And they offer a full range of medical services by a team of multilingual qualified doctors, giving their patients the peace of mind of knowing they are in the best hands.

All their services providers are top-level Spanish private hospitals and institutions equipped with the most advanced technology. Their quality and services are guaranteed by the most rigorous international certification standards.

They also offer a wide range of additional services to ensure that you have a pleasant experience while abroad.

Medicalcare Spain is different from the rest because it has a team of experienced, professional doctors performing the most advanced treatments and surgery within a hospital setting. A hospital with an international quality certificate, ICU, 7 operating theatres and all medical specialties. A place where, in the unlikely event you suffer any complications or require emergency care, you know your safety is guaranteed.

Medicalcare Spain provides an excellent level of customer service to all our customers. We have a multilingual customer service team with medical knowledge, that will help you with anything you need from the moment you make your first call .We will collect you from and to the airport, visit you at the hospital and listen to your requests to understand your needs and if possible tailor our service accordingly.

Contact Information Contact Details: Mrs. Ana Espadas o Position: Director o e-mail address: info@medicalcarespain.com o Web: www.medicalcarespain.com o Telephone Number: +34 965141567 o

by the European Regional Development Fund

ORIZON SISTEMAS DE INFORMACIÓN S.L. Director Name: Mr. Ángel Pineda Álvarez Address: Calle Rosa Chacel nº 18 Local C, 03008 Alicante (Spain)

Brief Description Activity: Services Category: Information and Communication Technologies Date of creation: 2007 Number of Employees: 14

Design, development, production, integration, marketing, operation, installation and maintenance of systems solutions and products that make use of computers, electronics, communications or other information technologies.

ALICANTE BEST CASES – SPAIN

Innovative Best Case for the Alicante territory Orizon Information Systems, is a highly specialized consulting Optimization, Continuous Process Improvement and IT development, and mainframe environments. After an experience of over 10 years, has a deep knowledge of the industry which allows positioning for excellence in management and customer service. They bring innovation in approaches to continuous improvement projects, as and how it impacts the improvement in the system.

Their competitive advantage lies in that they have a proprietary tool, OSS (Orizon Save Solution), a development methodology and totally exclusive, competition, and adapted and customized to customer needs, which achieves real reductions in cost effective, measurable and progressive in mainframe environments, and a return on investment fully guaranteed.

They represent a business model that helps companies and other organizations to reduce costs and targeted structural form and innovative methodology certified.

ORIZON is a company that is constantly innovating, redesigning processes customer transactions with the aim of making them more effective and efficient. Generate an innovation to its customers and put it in your organization makes them much more competitive.

This company provides innovation in approaches to continuous improvement projects, such as impacts on improving the system. They are global continuous improvement projects in management improvement initiatives, results and actions to implement IT. Contact Information Contact Details: Mr. Ángel Pineda Álvarez o Position: Director o e-mail address: orizon@orizon.es o Web: www.orizon.es o Telephone Number: +34 966596077 o

by the European Regional Development Fund

E. Vigolungo SpA Director Name: Pietro Vigolungo Address: Regione Clementina 12043 Canale (Cn)-Italia October 2012

Brief Description Activity: plywood production Category: manifacture Date of creation: 1947 Number of Employees (range): 51-100 Outline:

ASTI BEST CASES – ITALY

Innovative Best Case for the Piemonte Region territory The company has scored one of the highest results in the questionnaire. The Company has a wood culture that combines its industrial vocation with a constant interest in application technologies, attention and respect for the environment. From the beginning, the Company chooses wood as a raw material with the commitment to preserve the natural heritage, in order to realize recyclable, reusable and biodegradable products.

Contact Information Regione Clementina 12043 Canale (Cn) Italia tel. +39 0173 979048 fax +39 0173 979709 trade@vigolungo.com

by the European Regional Development Fund

Electroparts SpA Director Name: Marco Falcone Address: Regione Pratorotondo 12060 Bossolasco (Cn)-Italia October 2012

Brief Description Activity: mechanical engines Category: manifacture Date of creation: 1983 Number of Employees (range): 51-100 Outline:

ASTI BEST CASES – ITALY

Innovative Best Case for the Piemonte Region territory The company has scored one of the highest results in the questionnaire. The company has grown thanks to the continuous quality search. The company has been successfully supplying high quality products. Product range is successfully as to provide a wide range of products to the customer base.

Contact Information Regione Pratorotondo, 8 12060 Bossolasco (Cn) Italia tel. +39 0173 799017 fax +39 0173 799019 electro@electro-parts.com

by the European Regional Development Fund

Rolfo SpA Director Name: Dario Rolfo Address: Corso IV Novembre, 30 12042 Bra (Cn)-Italia October 2012

Brief Description Activity: machine shop for trucks Category: manifacture Date of creation: 1970 Number of Employees (range): 251-500 Outline:

ASTI BEST CASES – ITALY

Innovative Best Case for the Piemonte Region territory The company has scored one of the highest results in the questionnaire. The Company is well aware of its traditions, distinction and values. Till today, Rolfo Company follows up its philosophy by constantly updating its identity in order to define new standards of excellence.

Each Rolfo product embraces leading-edge solutions for your requirements in terms of design, reliability, loading capacity and safety.

Contact Information Corso IV Novembre, 30 12042 Bra (Cn)-Italia tel. +39 0172 472111 fax +39 0172 423659 amm@rolfo.com

by the European Regional Development Fund

S.I.S.P. SpA Director Name: Antonio Porello Address: Via Neive, 73/A 12050 Castagnito (CN)-Italia October 2012

Brief Description Activity: industrial machinery Category: manifacture Date of creation: 1978 Number of Employees (range): 1-25 Outline:

ASTI BEST CASES – ITALY

Innovative Best Case for the Piemonte Region territory The company has scored one of the highest results in the questionnaire. The Company has an important role in regional territory for its history and experience in the industrial sector. The manufacture identity gives an added value to each product and guarantees safety in use.

Contact Information Via Neive, 73/A 12050 Castagnito (CN)-Italia tel. +39 0173 210211 fax +39 0173 210219 info@consorzioconid.it

by the European Regional Development Fund

D.I.F.F., Ltd. Director Name: Mr TOMAŽ BERTOK Address: Šolska ulica 10, 6000 Koper – Capodistria, SLOVENIA / EU Date of the Interview: MAY 2012 Brief Description Activity: Design and production of wood articles & innovative marketing models Category: Manufacturing (C 16.29 – manufacture of various wood products) Date of creation: March 2010 Number of Employees: 1 Outline: Innovative products and marketing, social inclusion, sustainable development, quality brands, global society, wood & arts products

KOPER BEST CASES – SLOVENIA

Innovative Best Case for the Obalno – kraška region, Slovenia territory The company creates a global brand of different people by designing own types of innovative wood articles and products. DIFF is identified as an innovative company due to a very advanced and innovative marketing model that is supported mostly by using worldwide social e-tools. The company is very active in promoting the people who are connected with nature and look at our planet from a different perspective. DIFF gives the opportunity to create personalized designs and so it offers the environment to create a brand of different people. The DIFF wood products are well known as of outstanding quality and design.

The DIFF company was identified as a best practice SMEs in the region due to their active participation within the UIP entrepreneurship supporting environment including expert round tables, promotion events and EU project activities. One of the most important targets is building up a network of young innovative people, who work together on different projects in the field of music, sport, recreation, art, retail and other fields. The output of their active work is the contribution to the sustainable and social development of the region including social inclusion of marginal groups, environmental protection by using natural materials and promotion of innovation. The Company faces several challenges in ensuring start-up financial funds for further growth of the business. DIFF staff is extremely experienced in global networking which has been demonstrated with their participation on many recognizable fairs especially in EU. The DIFF Company is the initiator of the Quality brands initiative in the Obalno kraška region (Slovenia), which aims at establishing a new consortium of innovative SME companies in retail sector with a common quality brand. The initiative is under development and is supported by UIP. The DIFF company participated at the UIP Competition for the best business plan 2010/ 2011 and was awarded with the 3rd award. The company obtained the status of a UIP member for the period from 1st Jan.2011 to 30th Jun 2012.

Contact Information Webpage address: e-mail:

http://www.different-eye.com info@different-eye.com

contacts:

Tomaž Bertok: Tine Slabe:

tomaz@different-eye.com tine@different-eye.com

by the European Regional Development Fund

OLIUM KOZMETIKA, Ltd. Director Name: Mr MASSIMO ROJAC Address: Obala 114, 6320 Portorož – Portorose, SLOVENIA / EU Date of the Interview: MAY 2012

Brief Description Activity: Production and retail sale of cosmetic and toilet articles in specialised stores Category: Wholesale and retail trade (Retail sale of other goods in specialised stores) Date of creation: March 2009 Number of Employees: 1 Outline: human health, sustainable development, environmental protection, quality brands, promotion of typical regional products

KOPER BEST CASES – SLOVENIA

Innovative Best Case for the Obalno – kraška region, Slovenia territory The company Olium kozmetika Ltd. is oriented at production of traditional olive oil of outstanding quality in Slovenian Istria which is the base material for final quality products.

The OLIUM olive oil is certified with the “Soil Association” certificate which demonstrates the Slovenian origin. The company is the only one in Slovenia that offers cosmetics from certified organic farming production.

The Company was selected as a best practice model due to very high quality standards integrated in all business processes. It shows great potential in developing new quality products to be positioned in regional, national and global market. The company is also innovating new bio products and medicines in health sector to be launched in 2013. The staff is of a high education level including Ph. D. Education with great development potential also in R & D sector. At this stage the company is facing challenges with financing the production of high quality products as well as for quality marketing.

The Olium Kozmetika company participated at the UIP Competition for the best business plan 2008/2009 and was awarded with the 2nd award . The company obtained the status of a UIP member for the period from 1st Jun 2009 to 30th Jun 2012.

Contact Information Webpage address:

http://www.olium.si

e-mail:

massimo.rojac@olium.si

contacts:

Massimo Rojac, massimo.rojac@olium.si Mobile: +386 (0) 30 440 742 Fax: +386 (0) 5 67 71 357 by the European Regional Development Fund

PAVAN EKOLOGIJA, Ltd. Director Name: Mr IVAN PAVINČIČ Address: Glagoljaška ulica 1C, 6000 Koper – Capodistria, SLOVENIA / EU Date of the Interview: MAY 2012 Brief Description Activity: Manufacture of small water treatment plants Category: Manufacturing (Manufacture of machinery and equipment) Date of creation: June 2010 Number of Employees: 1 Outline: water treatment, separation and filtration, environmental protection, sustainable development

KOPER BEST CASES – SLOVENIA

Innovative Best Case for the Obalno – kraška region, Slovenia territory The company is the leading regional innovator in high quality oil, water and solids separator Waste water system with separation and filtration. Highly efficient separators are designed according to their own patents and technology, which complies with the strictest international standards EN 858-1-2., UL 42 and API 421. Installation and use of the highly efficient separators is the most economical and the safest solution for waste water treatment of industrial and rain waste water. Waste water, treated by this method, can be discharged directly into the natural environment or to the sewage system. Their patented separators do not require expensive electric energy, expensive chemicals, expensive biological substances or expensive maintenance.

The Company was selected as a best practice model due to many advantages of the innovative and high efficient technology such as: purification of the waste water according to the required European standards (even better), simple cleaning and maintenance with low costs, manufacturing from high quality stainless steel, which guarantees long use, excellent hygiene, cleanliness of the working environment and years-long warranty and innovative technology. The main challenge of the Company is the promotion of the environmental protection standards following by a very low public and market awareness. Additionally, the company has developed prototypes to be further promoted on a regional level. One of the main challenges is the financing of the production expansion.

The Pavan Ekologija Ltd. company participated at the UIP Competition for the best business plan 2009/2010 and was awarded as the winner of the competition. The company obtained the status of a UIP member for the period from 1st Sep 2010 to 31st Aug 2012.

Contact Information Webpage address:

www.pavan-ekologija.com

e-mail:

info@pavan-ekologija.com

contacts:

Ivan Pavinčič: +386 51 359 659 Janez Marko Urbanc: +386 31 340 51

by the European Regional Development Fund

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Easy Finance: European project for the promotion and facilitation of funding for innovative companies

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by the European Regional Development Fund

lead partner

Local Development Agency of Alicante, Spain

PARTners Andalusian Institute of Technology, Spain

Lamoro Development Agency, Italy PARTENAIRES:

Business Innovation Center La Fucina, Italy

Patras Science Park, Greece

French Riviera Chamber of Commerce & Industry, France

www.easyfinanceproject.eu by the European Regional Development Fund

RĂŠalisation : KidsonKreative - TĂŠl : 04 95 36 43 99 - www.kidsonkreative.com

University of Primorska, Slovania