Market-driven innovation beyond the sector

Defining the problem

The financial and economic crisis compels many companies from various sectors to approach their existing markets in a different manner and/or to search for new markets. Especially B2B companies, strongly depending on the success of their clients are inclined to explore new markets with existing or new products. It is not easy to guarantee the success of a new approach on existing markets or of the exploration of new markets. Therefore, it is necessary to support the collaboration between companies and the exchange of information.
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Target group

This Thematic Innovation Stimulation or TIS action - supported by the Flemish Region through IWT- mainly addresses suppliers of spare parts, half finished products and/or services (B2B) in the plastic, textile or wood sectors. Large companies as well as SME's belonging to these sectors are confronted with these problems and are invited to participate in the project, where they will be able to learn from each other and to create new opportunities through networking and collaborating.

Objectives

This initiative aims at bringing about a change in the normal way of working and thinking, especially in technology-driven sectors. By bringing companies together, they will be stimulated to explore new markets and product applications.

Working programme

• creation of different networking initiatives, think tanks, work groups, open sessions, mini teams...
• introduction of a toolkit offering basic support to start up and stimulate the collaboration between companies that will result in concrete and sensible innovation projects

From the start onwards, the companies will be brought together in mini teams in view of introducing innovations in the proper market thanks to the collaboration with other companies. They will be intensively accompanied and will use the toolkit. At the same time, 6 themes for new markets will be identified in a cross-sectoral think tank that may be modified by the companies. In this framework, lots of initiatives will take place to initiate concrete collaboration projects around the 6 themes and to offer in-depth knowledge on the new markets to interested companies. New mini teams will be started up to introduce innovations in one of the 6 thematic markets.
In this way, the different sectors will be able to share their expertise and experience in a network of excellence, in which new processes, projects and networks can be initiated.

Project partners

Centexbel: textile industry
Optimo: wood and furniture industry
Federplast: plastic industry
Flanders InShape: design