The aim of research and development is to ensure a company’s long-term market success through on-going development of existing products and the invention of new products. This innovation process begins as a part of research and development and involves the actual invention and its dissemination. It may be institutionalised in a research and development department or take place “on the job” while carrying out day-to-day business. At some point between the invention and the completion of the dissemination / implementation in the company and in the market, a project is started (SME-oriented process).
Innovations involve an “element of novelty”, something that does not currently exist in the Canton of Berne, in Switzerland or the rest of the world. This element can be employed as a USP (“unique selling proposition”) which sets it apart and opens up opportunities in national and international markets. Patents and trademark rights may quickly become an important subject.
The Berne Economic Development Agency (BEDA) offers direct and indirect support for your project:
innoBE speeds up the two-way transfer of knowledge between the scientific and business worlds.
Cluster organisations promote a culture of cooperation between companies in the same or similar spheres of activity.
Platforms for networking open up additional opportunities and perspectives through new contacts in the business, political and scientific communities (BEDA events for example).
Contributions to investment costs by the Berne Economic Development Agency may assist you with regard to the scope and the implementation of the innovation.
The implementation of innovations involves investment costs that have to be financed. A possible financing structure with BEDA support is presented here.
