This is the case of a company founded in 2008 by a team of software developers which over the period of a few years evolved from a pure consultancy/service model into a hybrid one thanks to its development of proprietary product lines. After identifying two main areas of interest – civic technologies/smart cities and precision farming – the company used its participation in R&D funded projects with strategic partners to acquire new skills/knowledge, develop new concepts by engaging with users/sectoral associations and validate new systems/methods with relevant research organizations. Thanks to the broad-mindedness and strategic vision of the founders, the company was able to adopt a product- oriented business model by scouting for market opportunities and building up new business areas while exploiting internal/external expertise. This case provides an insight into how SMEs can effectively use publicly funded programmes and partnerships with different stakeholder groups to implement its innovation strategy, while maximizing its resources and effort.
Open innovation for SME's
