Sprana is an early-stage company which develops process monitoring technology based on university research. As a tech start-up, it had multiple challenges, starting with funding, selecting a technology application and developing it, and entering the market. There were several important partnerships on their path: they found an investor company which also helped with their expertise and resources; after visiting a number of companies, they selected several lead customers with whom they started developing applications. These partnerships were important as they allowed the SME to understand better their industry’s requirements and needs and the value of their offering; they also provided technical and business knowledge. Another important partnership was in marketing & sales with value-added distributors who are helping the company to adapt to the requirements of different industries.
Open innovation for SME's
