Collaboration of University and SMEs in Innovation Process

In the paper the authors describe different forms of knowledge intensive SME-science projects, roles and incentives of the stakeholders involved (companies, students, universities), in particular focusing on student projects (e.g. PIP Product Innovation Project) as universities are not only a source for high level research results, but also an innovative milieu for students. Case studies illustrate collaboration from early phase of idea generation until prototype stage. Especially for knowledge-intensive start ups with limited resources there is growing propensity to innovation col laboration with academic partners often in the framework of small to me dium scale projects - a sample product innovation is presented.

Collaboration of University and SMEs in Innovation Process Keywords:

Knowledge and technology transfer , student innovation projects , roles and incentives in science/SME collaboration