| abstract: |
Cluster development is an integrated tool in the Baltic Sea Region (BSR) to increase impact of policies and enhance cooperation between the public/private sectors. However there is a broad gap in cross-border efforts to support SME based innovation beyond the interests from the single regions. BRIDGE-BSR develops tools to overcome the gap within life sciences/biotechnology in BSR, named ScanBalt BioRegion. BRIDGE-BSR will identify regional bottlenecks in ScanBalt BioRegion for bringing the benefits of academic research to SME´s, develop a regional innovation agenda, promote mentoring, use of best practises and bench marks plus initiate pilot activities. Partners represent triple helix clusters (public authorities, companies, universities), a tech transfer specialist, a NCP and a cross-border cluster collaboration. BRIDGE-BSR builds on: Analysis: (1) An analysis of regional cluster innovation strategies for bridging Academia and SME´s; (2) An analysis of Intellectual property bottlenecks (IP) and development of IP indicators; (3) An analysis of regional SME financing bottlenecks and mapping of investors. Desk studies, workshops, expert panels, visits are the tools. Pilot activities: BRIDGE-BSR initiates 3 pilot pilot activities: (1) Model development for trans-regional integration of IP-management; (2) A BSR life Science investment structure; (3) Shared SME support service. Innovation agenda, Mentoring, Implementation: An Innovation agenda for ScanBalt BioRegion is delivered based on the analysis, the pilot activities and preparatory work. A BRIDGE-BSR Innovation Council provides expert knowledge. The Innovation agenda serves for mentoring and implementation in clusters, networks and regional/national authorities. The ScanBalt Network ensures efficiency at the operative and policy level. Sustainability is ensured by existing structures to be further strengthened by Bridge-BSR. Bridge-BSR puts cluster policies into practise for the benefit of SME's. |
