Technogenesis

Regional Programme of Innovative Actions for the Region ofEastern Macedonia & Thrace

Final Beneficiary: Department of Planning andDevelopment of the Region of Eastern Macedonia & Thrace(REMTh)

Technogenesis is a pilot programme towards a new innovationstrategy focusing on the development of regional network behavioursamong different segments of the regional production system.

The programme is structured in the following actions:

1. Regional Intelligence: mobilization for ideas generation,
2. Exercise: Technology Clinics.
3. Technogenesis Paradigm

Regional Intelligence

The main objective of RegionalIntelligence action was to identify and present the innovative newproduct ideas of the region through a well organized model. Thefollowing measures have been implemented under this action:

1. Mobilization for ideas generation
   
2. Soliciting individual ideas
   
3. Rough evaluation of ideas for likely new products orservices
   
4. Development of Business Plans5. Technogenesis Gate: an EastMacedonia? Thrace Innovation Portal: www.technogenesis.gr

Excercise

The Exercise refers to the application of methodology anddemonstration of technology clinics in the particular sector of NewProduct Development. Exercise helped to both anticipate and avoidtechnical and non-technical barriers to the deployment ofinnovative ideas.

Technology Clinics support focused on offering support infollowing areas:

• Marketing plans
  
• Technical specifications
• Intellectual property rights protection
• Legal issues and advice
  

At the end of the exercise phase, the innovative ideas wereassessed in terms of:

• Product / process innovation
• Technical feasibility
• Business planning
• Maturity level
• Regional benefits

Technogenesis Paradigm was the finalaction of the programme. Itconstituted of capital raising measures, marketing issues andsubsidy of most feasible ideas. The aim was to prevent a newproduct development partnership from early termination, due to theperceived threat of uncertainty and the lack of seed capital.Measures included:

• Investment Opportunity Forum with representatives from banking,venture capitals, IRCs, Technology Parks, Incubation Centres andprivate companies.
• Virtual (web based) investment forum.
• New Ventures Funding led to new products development in twelvecases.

Outcomes

Technogenesis mobilised individuals, researchers, innovators,firms and university?s R&D units, (300 ideas)

• Promoted the entrepreneurial culture to researchers andinnovators,
• Involved a significant number of consultants, scientists andtechnicians as Focal Points, Business Plans creators and TechnologyClinics facilitators
• Contributed to new product development management tools
• Spread the concept of innovation to the general public of theRegion
• Transformed 12 ideas into marketable product / services
• Supported 70 ideas with business plans to strengthen them intheir quest for implementation support
• Provided a new perspective for the regional economy and servesas an example for future interventions in regionaldevelopment
  

Honours

Technogenesis has been demonstrated on the 71st Thessaloniki?sInternational Trade Fair within the context of Innovation workshopheld by the Ministry of Development as well as the ?S&T week?.The President of the Hellenic Republic honored the eligibleinnovators. Technogenesis is a nominee for the ?European EnterpriseAwards?.