Submitted in the framework of a call for proposals Photonics KET in April 2016, Empowering Photonics through Regional Innovation Strategies in Europe (EPRISE) was selected by the European Commission among 7 projects and was granted a budget of 1,4 million €.
The consortium coordinated by OPTITEC includes partners from 8 European countries: Photonics Bretagne (FR), SECPhO (ES), OptecBB (DE), Optoscana/CNR (IT), PhotonicsNL (NL), Center for Process Innovation (UK), PhotonicSweden and Photonics Finland.
The project aims to promote and support Photonics as a Key Enabling Technology with focus on Life Science applications in 4 target markets where Europe holds a leading position – Medical Technologies, Pharmaceuticals, Agriculture and Food.
Companies developing photonics-based products for these markets face highly specific Go-to-Market challenges such as long time to market adoption, complex regulatory frameworks and high barriers to market entry to name but a few. They are often in need of support from public funding to help them cross the “Valley of death” between innovation ready phase (TRL 4), and investment ready phase (TRL 7). During this time, they are also in need of advice from market specific experts who can guide them on non-technological (business) topics.
EPRISE consortium will organise “European Photonics Roadshow”, a series of 7 major events hosted by European regions, with the aim of providing SMEs with concrete solutions from market experts on how to overcome market barriers and boosting collaboration along the complete value chain via pre-arranged B2B meetings.
Photonics clusters involved in the project EPRISE have both local connections and technology understanding to set-up, together with Regional Authorities, an efficient framework that will encourage creation of funding synergies between regional and European funds in order to better exploit potential of the European Photonics industry.
The project will officially kick-off in January 2017, stay tuned for more information!