The Central Innovation Programme (ZIM) provided by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy supports small and medium sized enterprises in research and development projects. On 14 April, the current impact analysis of the RKW Competence Centre for ZIM-funded projects and networks has been published.
A study conducted in 2015 consulting 2.408 ZIM-projects showed that most of the applicants were micro- and small enterprises, 60 % of which were cooperations between enterprises and research institutes. With a total of 54 % first applicants the majority did not have any ZIM-related experience before. For 78 % of the projects technical and economic risks would have impeded the project if it hadn´t been funded. It is also reassuring that the projects led to an increase in revenue and employment for many enterprises and that 90 % of the enterprises and 93 % of the research institutes continued their cooperation beyond the funded project.
Due to the time lag between funding and the study, the analysis also provides information on the sustainability of funding. Already in 2013 and 2014 project results were introduced into the market. The majority of the impact on revenue is however expected within the next two years.
The study confirms a positive impact on stimulating innovation, revenue generation and the protection and creation of jobs.
Basis of the study where individual as well as cooperation projects ending in 2013.
aconium is currently, supporting the ZIM-cooperation network BIC-IRAP, which develops simple solutions for the sustainable provision of mobile internet in buildings through the seamless integration of LTE and WLAN. As a network manager, aconium is responsible for the coordination and further development of the partner network as well as the internal and external communication, amongst other tasks.