"I am impressed by the passion with which the companies are at work"

One year ago, the "SMEs and INNOVATION" support program was launched by the Cantonal Economic Development Office. Together with project manager Anita Martinecz Fehér, we look back on the first year of the project, draw conclusions and look to the future.

Ms. Martinecz Fehér, how do you define innovation?
Anita Martinecz Fehér: Innovation can be so many things: it is by no means just high-tech innovations that drive a company forward. Ideally, a new product or a new service is created. But a new material or a new work process can also bring massive savings or new customers. For example, 3D printing opens up new opportunities to respond to customer needs in a completely customized way. Social innovations should also not be underestimated: Changing the corporate and collaboration culture - both internally and with other companies - opens up access to new, often completely unexpected solutions.

Anita Martinecz Fehér is a business economist and project manager at the Office for Economic Development.

Let's look back on the first year of "SMEs and INNOVATION". What conclusions can you draw after the first 12 months?
Our offer is slowly but surely being taken up. So far, we have been able to talk to around 40 companies about their innovation opportunities and more than a third of them are in the process of pursuing their ideas further with our innovation experts.

Can you share a highlight with us?
A particular highlight is always the initial discussions with the entrepreneurs. The companies come from a wide variety of sectors and are as fundamentally different as the SME landscape is. I'm impressed by the passion and expertise that each company brings to the table. Another highlight is when one of the many possible starting points for innovation emerges that needs to be worked on further. That's when our support services really get going.

What does this support look like after the initial consultation?
The company then receives specialist support from our innovation experts in the development of its innovation project. This means that we work with the company to find solutions and options and support them in their search for suitable partners from research or industry. All of this takes up to 60 hours and is free of charge.

What questions should a company ask itself before using your offer?
Are you open to change? Are you prepared to break new ground? Do you have the financial and human resources to devote to the development of an innovation project? Are there any topics that you have wanted to tackle for some time but have repeatedly put off due to other commitments?

Are there any lowlights from the first year? Things that didn't work well and need to be adjusted?
It is more challenging and time-consuming than expected to reach SMEs and decision-makers and engage in dialogue with them. It is confirmed that SMEs are heavily absorbed with coping with everyday life and constantly new challenges. Only a few SMEs approach us directly with their concerns. Contacts are often made via "door-opener conversations" and partner organizations.

The pilot project was scheduled to run for three years. Do you already know whether there are plans to continue the project indefinitely after the three years?
We will definitely analyze the offer and the results carefully. What we can already say today is that we are very interested in continuing the service. From 2025, there should be a contact point that supports companies from their foundation through to the more mature phases of their lives and helps to ensure that companies in the canton of Zurich develop successfully.

Is there a particular type of SME that has used the service so far?
The SME and INNOVATION service is aimed at SMEs in the canton of Zurich, regardless of sector, and is therefore deliberately open. The spectrum of business contacts to date ranges from painters and industrial companies to food manufacturers.

Where and how can SMEs get in touch if they want to take advantage of the offer?
You are welcome to contact us directly (Tel 043 259 49 92, kontakt@kmu-innovation.zuerich, www.kmu-innovation.zuerich), or via the regional contact points, such as House of Winterthur.