The document discusses innovation challenges and opportunities in the region of Crete, Greece. It provides details on the higher education and research institutions in Crete and describes some of their activities. It also presents a SWOT analysis of the region and discusses some successful examples of technology transfer and regional innovation projects.

1. P.Ignatiadis Technology Manager Science & Technology Park of Crete & IRC Help-Forward E-RAIN project meeting , Grenoble 08-09/11/2006 Innovation Challenges in the Region of Crete, Greece

2. CRETE: Competitive Region based on a)culture and history, b) sea and sun destination, c) the Mediterranean Cuisine During the last 30 years : A high number of HEI’s and Research Centres were established: Univ. of Crete (1977), FORTH (1983), Technical Univ. of Crete (1984), MAICh (1985), Inst. Marine Biology of Crete (1987) Crete has a high capacity in R&D , but lacks the critical mass of quality research infrastructures and SMEs collaboration to become a region of knowledge

3. General information about the region Crete is located to the southern end of Europe, it is the closest European Region to the equator and almost equidistant from mainland Europe (110 km), Asia (175 km) and Africa (300 km). These geographic characteristics of the island provide Crete with a unique chance to play a key role in the international scene. Crete is Greece’s largest island and the fifth largest in the Mediterranean basin. It covers an area of 8.336 square km, which is 6.3% of the total area of Greece. It’s population of 603.000 houses 5,5 % of the country’s people. Crete is the 13th Region of Greece and is divided into four regional councils. The two biggest cities of Crete, Heraklion and Chania , are also the two main gateways for people and trade.

4. Brief SWOT analysis Threats Stagnation in R and D infrastructures Stagnation of manufacturing sector Opportunities Strong interest in NTBF FP7, CIP, Structural Funds Local Employment Strategies for Employment Stimulation Streamlining R and D capacities with Tourism and Agriculture Weaknesses Research results are not sufficiently disseminated in the production process Long-term deindustrialization of the region Lack of significant R and D investments Lack of industrial SMEs Strengths Strong R &D and innovation results Highly qualified human potential due to the numerous educational institutions, which are situated in the region Innovative services to local SMEs thanks to the existence of highly specialised research centres and institutes throughout the region

5. HIGHER ACADEMIC & RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS IN CRETE TEI of C UNIVERSITY OF CRETE FORTH NMRC AGRIC RESEARCH CENTERS TU of C 30000 students

6. Regional Innovation System (www.innocrete.gr)

7. SOCIETY REGION Research Spin off Education Incubation SME support Excellence FORTH ACTIVITIES CITIES STEPC IRC H-F

8. FORTH: The largest Res. Organization in the country (~1000 employees) RESEARCH AND INNOVATION 7 Institutes : Crete, Patras, Ioannina (in the periphery of the country) - Institute of Molecular Biology Biotechnology - Institute of Electronic Structure & Laser - Institute of Computer Science - Institute of Applied Mathematics - Institute of Mediterranean Studies Institute of Chem.Eng. & High Temperature Processes Institute of Biomedical Research TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AND COMMERCIALIZATION 3 Science Parks (Crete, Patras, Thessaloniki) HELP-FORWARD

9. UNIVERSITY OF CRETE (www.uoc.gr) Established : 1977, 8000 STUDENTS 5 SCHOOLS School of Philosophy (Philology, Philosophy & Social Studies, History & Archaeology) School of Education (Pre-Primary, Primary Education) School of Social Sciences (Economics, Psychology, Sociology, Political Sciences) School of Sciences (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Materials Science & Technology) School of Medicine : Internationally recognized Dept of Ophthalmology MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY OF CRETE (www.nhmc.uoc.gr)

10. HELLENIC CENTRE FOR MARINE RESEARCH www.hcmr.gr 5 Institutes Institute of Oceanography Institute of Aquaculture Institute of Biological resources Institute of Inland Waters Institute of Marine Biology & Genetics Spin-off activities Creation of AquaBiotech SA (65 % private funds, large Aquaculture companies) Development of Marine Technology Park 8 MEuro project, 50 % private funds

11. MODEL FOR TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AND REGIONAL INNOVATION AT STEPC INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES, NTBF INCUBATION (PHYSICAL, VIRTUAL) LIAISON OFFICE IRC H-F CENTRE FOR TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER BANKS PROGRAMS IDEAS, PROJECTS, INITIATIVES, PROGRAMS, RESULTS RESEARCH CENTRES &UNIVERSITIES LOCAL ENTERPRISES

12. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PARK OF CRETE More than 100 offices and flexible lab space (~4000 sq.m) Financing : EU , National & Regional funds Incentives offered by FORTH Incentives offered by the National Government November 2006 : 25 tenants, >600 new jobs created >60 new companies

13. SERVICES OFFERED TO TENANTS ACADEMIC: Links with academic and research labs , participation to research projects TECHNOLOGICAL: Access to FORTH Institutes and to Technology Transfer mechanisms BUSINESS: Business planning, market research, business development FINANCIAL: Information and support to financial issues, links with business angels and financial organizations LEGAL : Legal support , Intellectual Property Rights ( Greek Patent Office Branch )

14. SUCCESSFUL EXAMPLES FORTH Spin-off companies FORTHnet SA – Est. 1995 by FORTH & Minoan Lines SA, a Regional Shipping Company 2000: Athens stock exchange Today's Shareholders: FORTH, NOVATOR Group & Other Private Funds, Wide Public www.forthnet.gr

16. INNOVATIVE ACTIONS IN CRETE (2000-2006) CRETE AS AN INNOVATIVE REGION (CRINNO) SUCCESSFUL EXAMPLE UNISTEP UNI versity S tudents E ntrepreneurship P rogramme 2004-2005 20 projects Total budget : 400000 € 10 in Chania (Technical University of Crete) 10 in Heraklion (University of Crete : 4 Science Technology Park : 6) (2 in the phase of negotiations with VC)

17. UNISTEP METHODOLOGY IDEA EVALUATION/SELECTION IMPLEMENTATION STUDENT/GROUP OF STUDENTS + Training 4 courses Entrepreneurship Legal issues/Admin. Business Planning Product development 6.000 € Administrative + Technological Support

18. UNISTEP Start-up INCUBATOR Innovative & Supporting Environment Training Support - Mentoring

19. MUTUAL LEARNING PLATFORM SPIN OFF CREATION AND TECH/TRANSFER RTD COLLABORATION IT TECHNOLOGIES BIOTECHNOLOGIES MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES INNOVATIVE SERVICES ENERGY IT REGIONAL FORESIGHT REGIONAL BENCHMARKING MANAGEMENT OF THE GROWTH POLE INNOVATION POLE IN CRETE (2007-2008)

20. Lesson from Leuven (B) for Growth Poles – Collaboration with E-Rain(1) Basis is a critical mass of high quality research Create an appropriate entrepreneurial climate in a university context Create a legal framework with respect to exploitation of academic research Clear incentives and policies to encourage research groups and departments to actively seek knowledge transfer opportunities Create a professional Interface Unit – An Integrated approach on research valorisation: multidisciplinary team & “high value” services Create a Seed Capital and/or Venture Capital Fund

21. Lesson from Leuven (B) for Growth Poles – Collaboration with E-Rain(2) Foster spin-offs from your university research Clear ownership of Intellectual Property Improving awareness among federal, regional and local shareholders Supporting a forum for business, academia, government and supporting organisations to build partnerships by sharing new ideas and best practices. Importance of the networks. Enthusiasm Quality of life