Horizon 2020 for SMEs - ttopstart, the Horizon 2020 experts

Opportunities for SMEs
in Horizon 2020
Horizon 2020
experts

Horizon 2020
experts
Opportunities for SMEs
in Horizon 2020

Horizon 2020: the EU
Framework Programme
for Research and
Innovation
Horizon 2020 is the European grant and sub-
sidy framework for innovation and R&D. The
programme, running from 2014 to 2020, has
a budget of €70 billion. Horizon 2020 aims to
secure Europe’s global competitiveness.
To promote industrial growth and tackle
societal challenges, Horizon 2020 takes
advantage of a market-driven approach,
providing seamless and coherent funding
from idea to market. Small and Medium-
sized Enterprises (SMEs) are encouraged to
participate across Horizon 2020 programmes.
Within the Horizon 2020 programmes, many
opportunities arise for SMEs to fund early-
stage, high-risk research and innovation,
including clinical trials. The Horizon 2020
programmes aim to accelerate R&D activities
and stimulate breakthrough innovations.
The simplified architecture of the Horizon
2020 programme - bringing together all
European research and innovation funding -
makes it easier for SMEs to identify funding
opportunities and apply for participation. A
minimum of 20%, or about €8.65 billion, of
the total combined budgets of 'Leadership in
enabling and industrial technologies' (LEITs)
and ‘Societal Challenges’ is designated to
SMEs.
Non-dilutive funding for SMEs is provided
for research, development and innovation
activities, including:
• Development of lead product or process;
• Innovation in product pipeline;
• Gathering clinical evidence;
• Introduction of disruptive technologies;
• Collaborative projects with academia;
• Training, mobility and career
development of researchers.
What is Horizon 2020?
Horizon 2020 is the foremost non-dilutive funding opportunity for research-
intensive industry to finance and accelerate research and innovation activities.
The aim of Horizon 2020 is to advance scientific knowledge and discovery,
while securing Europe’s growth and global competitiveness through stronger
involvement of industry.
4
ttopstart - Horizon 2020 experts

Excellent
science
Industrial
leadership
Societal
challenges
∙ European Research Council
∙ Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions
∙ Future and Emerging technologies
∙ Research infrastructures
∙ Health, demographic change
and wellbeing
∙ Inclusive, innovative and
secure societies
∙ Leadership in enabling
and industrial technologies
∙ Access to risk finance
∙ Innovation in SMEs
Horizon 2020:key features
• Increased participation of industry,
including SMEs
Research and development within Public Private Partnerships is promoted,
e.g. through increased participation of industry, including SMEs.
• Six specific types of actions
Horizon 2020 consists of six different types of actions (project types), each
with their own set of provisions and funding rates. Collaborative research
and innovation projects are part of Research and Innovation Actions (RIA),
Innovation Actions (IA) and the SME-instrument.
• Simplified set of financial rules
The EU contribution is up to 100% of the total eligible costs for R&D projects
and up to 70% for innovation projects. In all cases, indirect costs will be
covered by a flat rate of 25% of the direct costs.
5

Funding opportunities for SMEs
In Horizon 2020
Eurostars SME instrument
Consortium Min. 2 legal entities One for-profit-SME
(small consortium of SMEs possible)
Project type (specific for
medical innovation)
Preclinical Clinical
Maturity of technological
innovation
Innovation validated in lab
(on the market/ in clinical trials within 2
years after completion of project)
Innovation validated in relevant
environment (e.g. innovation ready for
clinical validation or pilot studies)
Funding €5M/ partner
(depends on national rules)
Max €2.5M/ project
(PHC12 = max €5M)
Theoretical success rate
(based on number of projects
submitted and funded)
23% ~10%
Topics Development of any product, process or
service
- Biomarkers/ Diagnostics
- Nanotechnology
- Biotechnology
- ICT
Focus/Aim Increased internationalisation potential of
SMEs
Support fast-growing SMEs
Several funding instruments are incorporated that offer non-dilutive funding
support to SMEs. The funding instruments facilitate the acceleration of R&D
activities and stimulate breakthrough innovations.
6

Fast Track to Innovation Marie Curie ITN- EID Collaborative projects
3-5 legal entities, half or more from industry Min. 2 legal entities Min. 3 legal entities
Late phase clinical/ commercialisation Any Any (dependent on call)
Innovation validated in relevant environment
(on the market no later than 3 years after start
of FTI project)
Any Any (dependent on call)
Max €3M/ project €3M- €4M /project €3M- €6M /project
5-10%
(~ 60 projects)
~19% ~3%
Any LEIT/SC focus area of Horizon 2020
(amongst others: nanotech, biotech, ICT,
personalised medicine)
Not specified (bottom-up
funding)
Top down, specific calls
Accelerate commercialisation of products,
processes or services
Involving the non-academic
sector in doctoral training
Highly innovative research
A number of topics focus on SMEs by setting apart a major part of the budget
for R&D activities for SMEs. The size, scope and internal organisation of projects
are defined in the various Work Programmes. Key opportunities for participation
and support of SMEs in Horizon 2020 are highlighted in the table. For a detailed
description of funding instruments dedicated to SMEs please contact our
consultants.
Eurostars
Research-intensive SMEs can aquire funding through Eurostars, the succesfull
joint program between EUREKA and the European Commission, co-funded from
the national budgets of over 30 Eurostars countries. Eurostars aims to support
R&D performing SMEs by co-financing market-oriented innovation with a
bottom-up approach. Eurostars projects are transnational, with at least two
partners (one of which has to be a research-performing SME). Depending on
national rules, non-SME collaborators can be eligible for funding.
7

Phase 1:
Concept and feasibility assessment
Phase 2:
R&D, Demonstration, Market replication
Phase 3:
Commercialisation
Lump sum: €50.000
~ 6 months
€0.5-5 M per project
~ 12 to 24 months
No direct funding
Investor-ready business plan
Elaborated business plan
Idea: Short business plan
SME instrument
The SME instrument aims to fill gaps in
funding for early-stage, high-risk research
and innovation as well as stimulating
breakthrough innovations by SMEs. Single
company support is possible. Although
collaborations can be part of the project,
only SMEs can acquire funding through this
instrument. Staged support in 3 phases will
cover the whole innovation cycle. SMEs can
apply to phase 1 with a view to applying to
phase 2, or directly to phase 2.
The SME instrument is implemented via
specific calls. The following SME instrument
calls are of interest to SMEs active in the
Health and Life Sciences:
The SME instrument is implemented
via specific calls. The SME instrument is
implemented via specific calls. These calls
are changed and updated with each Work
Programme. For up-to-date information on
calls of interest to SMEs active in the Health
and Life Sciences, please visit our website
(www.ttopstart.com), or contact a consultant
(see last page of this brochure for details).
8

Fast-track to innovation
Fast track to innovation (FTI) funds activities
to accelerate market introduction of new
innovative projects. The innovation can come
from any technology field that is a focus area
of Horizon 2020. FTI targets technologies,
concepts, processes and business models that
need a last development step to reach the
market and achieve wider deployment.
Marie Curie actions
SMEs are encouraged to participate in Marie
Curie actions, such as Innovative Training
Networks (ITN) to enhance training, mobility
and career development of researchers. The
ITN-EID (Innovative Training Networks –
European Industrial Doctorate) involves the
non-academic sector in doctoral training by
allowing doctorate students to perform part
of their research in industry.
Collaborative projects
The strong focus of Horizon 2020 on
implementation and exploitation of R&D
means that SME involvement in large
collaborative research and innovation or
innovation actions is highly encouraged.
Targeted Work Programmes relevant for
the life sciences, medical technology and
healthcare industry are:
Health, Demographic Change and Wellbeing
aims to create opportunities for real
breakthrough research and radical innovation
to respond to the ageing population and the
increasing burden of communicable and non-
communicable diseases.
Leadership in enabling and industrial
technologies focuses on new opportunities
for industrial leadership in Europe. Within
LEIT, two Work Programmes are relevant
for Health and Life Sciences: ‘Information
and Communication Technologies’ (ICT) and
‘Nanotechnologies, Advanced Materials,
Biotechnology and Advanced Manufacturing
and Processing’ (NMBP).
Access to risk finance
Access to risk finance aims to leverage private
Research & Innovation investments, including
venture capital investments for innovative,
high-tech companies, in particular SMEs.
Horizon 2020 allocates a budget of €2.84
billion for financial instrument facilities and
accompanying measures. At least one-third
of this amount is likely to be dedicated to
SMEs and small mid-caps. Access to risk
finance includes a debt facility (providing
debt finance) and an equity facility (providing
equity investment) and is implemented
via the European Investment Bank and the
European Investment Fund and/or other
financial institutions of comparable stature.
If you would like to receive more detailed
information about one of the funding
instruments, please contact one of our
consultants (page 18)
9

ttopstart facilitates strategic preparations
for a head start in Horizon 2020
Is your organisation or department fully
prepared to take the lead (or take part) in
Horizon 2020 projects? Are you confident
that your projects will get funded? Building
on years of experience in the field of
European subsidies, ttopstart can rapidly
analyse the competitiveness of your
organisation in a subsidy context. ttopstart
provides you with access to our broad
academic and industrial network. Moreover,
we can give practical recommendations for
optimal preparation for success in Horizon
2020 - even prior to any application.Whilst
not guaranteeing success, a head start will
definitely increase your chances.
ttopstart is able to write 80% of the total
application
ttopstart can write the Horizon 2020
proposal (in close contact with the
consortium), allowing you to focus on the
scientific work plan. ttopstart manages the
entire application process: from writing
the body of the proposal, to collecting,
streamlining and merging partner input,
setting up detailed budget plans, distributing
draft versions, handling partner feedback and
final submission.This allows you to spend
most of your time on the scientific quality
and overall management.
ttopstart supports you with professional
non-scientific management
Professional scientific and non-scientific
management is a prerequisite for your
Horizon 2020 consortium - and highly
appreciated by reviewers. In the application
phase, we offer a large toolbox with proven
management frameworks and can tailor
a model for project management and
consortium organisation that secures
quality and quantity of the output. In the
project phase, we are a strong consortium
partner for non-scientific management; from
monitoring and reporting deliverables, to
organising meetings and drafting progress
reports.
Why ttopstart?
ttopstart is a European science and business consulting company with the ability
to write 80% of your Horizon 2020 application. ttopstart has unique expertise in
supporting you with non-scientific management, dissemination and exploitation
activities during the project.
10

ttopstart delivers high-quality
dissemination and exploitation services
for new and existing Horizon 2020
projects
Horizon 2020 was created to boost Europe’s
competitiveness and increase scientific
leadership. It should be very clear how your
Horizon 2020 project will contribute to this
goal. ttopstart specialises in developing
creative and detailed stakeholder-sensitive
plans for dissemination and exploitation of
the proposed outcomes. Our experience in
developing corporate business plans means
that we can integrate a society-targeted
vision in your proposal and set up a winning
impact section.This becomes of real value
once the project has been approved: ttopstart
is the ideal dissemination & exploitation
partner, ensuring that stakeholders
are involved, output is IP protected and
commercialised and the proposed impact
is achieved.
At ttopstart, we combine science and
business, specialising in the fields of
life sciences, medical technology and
healthcare.
ttopstart has been built on the unique
combination of science and business, with a
focus on the life sciences, medical technology
and healthcare sectors. Our consultants have
a solid scientific background combined with
an extensive business skill set.This is a key
advantage for your Horizon 2020 application,
considering the increased EC demands
for translation of research, public private
partnerships and societal impact. Proposals
do not leave our office without scientific and
business excellence.
11

Key achievements
The strong focus and unique model have allowed ttopstart to become highly
successful in European and national subsidy applications. Over the past 3 years,
more than 70% of our proposals were granted, with multiple #1 rankings and
high rankings in competitive European programs such as FP7/Horizon2020,
Eurostars and Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI). Some examples:
Collaborative projects
ttopstart has supported over 20 international research consortia, often consisting
of academic and industrial partners, with acquiring subsidies for FP7/ Horizon
2020 collaborative projects.
REGAIN (Audion therapeutics)
Size: €5.8M
Topic: Hearing loss
The REGAIN consortium is a collaboration between 7 highly dedicated partners,
coordinated by Audion Therapeutics BV and including UCL Ear Institute, University
of Tübingen,The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Eli Lilly, Clinquest
Services and ttopstart BV (for project management).The consortium aims to
develop a small-molecule drug to treat hearing loss caused by loss of hair cells.
ttopstart supported the REGAIN consortium with design of the project plan,
proposal writing and signing of the grant agreement. ttopstart is currently
involved in the implementation of the project as project management partner.
“The translation of innovative drug development ideas into
cutting-edge proposals, in combination with their efficient and
pleasant way of collaboration, are the reasons why we return
to ttopstart every time.”
– Cristianne Rijcken PhD, founder Cristal Therapeutics
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Eurostars
ttopstart has managed 10 successful Eurostars applications for different SMEs
throughout Europe. One of these applications was ranked as #1 out of 354
applications.
Eurostars 2012: SeDI (SOHARD & MAASTRO CLINIC)
Size: €1.2M
Topic: medical device
SOHARD Software GmbH, an expert company in semantic software
development for healthcare, and MAASTRO, a renowned radiotherapy clinic and
research institute, join forces to develop a semantic web adapter and a stand-
alone PACS system that enables unprecedented ways to access and analyse
medical data.
ttopstart was highly involved in the SeDI application, from basic concept to final
submission.The project was ranked #1 out of 354 applications.
SME instrument 2015: Radiomics
Size: €2.4M
Topic: Radiomics for lung cancer
In this phase 2 SME instrument acquired by ptTheragnostics, the company will
validate novel imaging biomarkers that enable patient stratification for the
breakthrough new cancer treatment "Radiomics".The validation will occur via a
multi-centre clinical trial (Phase II).
"The dedication and writing excellence of ttopstart
has been key to the success of the SeDI project."
– Peter Feltens, CEO Sohard
"The application of the Eurostars PLATO grant awarded to
a consortium led by thromboDx BV was a great success.
We are thankful to ttopstart BV for their solid support."
– Dr. Thomas Würdinger, CSO thromboDx BV
13

Our method
Fit
High-ranking projects show an ideal fit
between proposal and call text. Both
consortium and proposal must seamlessly
match with the EC's intentions. To optimise
this fit, ttopstart assists in:
• Finding strong consortium partners -
academic and industrial
• Critically assessing and strengthening
your initial project plan
“Through our experience and a devil's
advocate attitude we are able to rapidly
see whether a proposal idea has winning
potential.”
“Our approach is acknowledged for its
efficiency and harmony in the consortium.”
Framework
Uniting the visions of 5 - 30 partners into
a synchronised and solid proposal is one
of the main challenges for constructing a
winning bid. ttopstart offers the tools to
design a conceptual framework in which
the consortium's plans can be integrated
and fine-tuned towards a logical work plan.
We use the problem analysis and Pyramid
Principle in Horizon 2020 style in which we:
• Analyse the major problem – focal
problem – sub challenges
• Define the ultimate goal – project
objective – sub objectives
• Connect work packages and impact
to these items
ttopstart has developed the FFWD model to fast-forward your science
from an innovative vision to a winning Horizon 2020 proposal.
Because of our risk-bearing strategy, we are highly motivated to
succeed. We specialise in impact, for the consortium and for society.
14

Write
Developing a convincing proposal
requires excellent writing skills, which are
represented in the ttopstart team. ttopstart
ensures a persuasive presentation of the
proposal by applying the 8 C's: conform,
complete, consistent, concise, concrete,
convincing, coherent and creative. ttopstart
guards timeliness and coordinates the
entire application process - which can be
as demanding as the writing part.
Development
Commercialisation, impact, dissemination
and exploitation are now a central part
of all Horizon 2020 proposals. ttopstart
excels at these sections because of our
extensive business consulting expertise.
ttopstart offers detailed market intelligence
and business development strategies to
leverage societal and economic impact.
During the application phase and the
course of the project, ttopstart is your
management and impact partner. We offer
a variety of (tailored) packages to facilitate
productive management, exploitation and
dissemination.
“The consortium is asked to deliver the
work packages in a draft format. With your
scientific input, ttopstart can set up the
entire proposal from beginning to end."
“Combining scientific and business expertise
in your project results in high impact
publications and valuable innovations."
Submission
Review EC
Negotiation
Knowledge utilisation
Project management
Development
Consortium
formation
Fit
Conceptualisation
of research plan
Framework
Proposal
preparation
Write
15

ttopstart's full service support for Horizon 2020 applications
With ttopstart's full service support we aim to take as much work out of your hands as
possible. Our experienced consultants will take the lead in the writing and coordination
throughout the process, while closely guarding the time to deadline and quality of the
proposal.They will gather all necessary input from the consortium partners and combine
this into a strong proposal.
ttopstart's basic service support for Horizon 2020 applications
In addition to our full service support, we also offer a basic support service.The basic
support service serves clients who want to stay in the lead of the process themselves. Our
consultants will support you during the application, providing valuable input on quality
and helping with the budget and consortium formation.Textual input will be limited to
the optimisation of selected parts.
ttopstart can support the complete application process for a
Horizon 2020 proposal. We offer writing capacity and experience,
a clear and concise presentation of the project proposal and
coordination of the entire application procedure.
Full application support
16

General info proposal
Summary
Administrative details participants
Budget per partner
Overall budget
Section 1: Exellence
Objectives
Relation to work programme
Concept and approach
Ambition
Section 3: Implementation
Work plan
Management structures
Consortium as a whole
Resources to be committed
Section 4: Consortium partners
Section 5: Ethics and Security
Section 2: Impact
Objectives
Relation to work programme
ttopstartClient
Full application support: ttopstart can write 80% of your Horizon 2020 proposal.
Part B
Part A
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Submission
ttopstart’s review service follows our successful
FFWD method (see page 10) to assess your
proposal’s strengths and weaknesses. During
three iterations, an experienced consultant will
provide clear feedback, with easy-to-implement
tips and tricks to elevate your proposal to the
next level.
Fit and Framework
ttopstart will cross-check your proposal and
consortium against all eligibility rules and the
fit to the call text of the corresponding funding
scheme.We will assess the innovativeness
of the project plan and the coherence of the
framework.
Write
With access to over 100 subsidy applications,
ttopstart will provide you with‘best practices’
to present and highlight the strengths of
your project plan in an appealing manner.
We provide input on how to write a proposal
that can convince experts, while remaining
interesting and accessible for everyone. Our
consultants have excellent writing skills,
and will also provide a review on syntax and
spelling.
Development
In the third iteration, ttopstart will focus on the
persuasive and broad presentation of impact
and dissemination of the project results.We
will help you to couple these to key market
trends and policies. ttopstart can provide clear-
cut examples of how to write a convincing
implementation plan that spans beyond the
project.
Review service
F&F W D
· Fit the call
· Consortium build-up
· Innovativeness
· Coherent project plan
· Persuasive and
accessible
· SMART goals
· Management structure
· Broad impact
· Implementation plan
Building on our experience in writing winning subsidy proposals,
ttopstart is the ideal partner to extensively review your proposal.
We will provide you with a clear and easy-to-implement evaluation
which will improve your chances of success.
18

Training
Grant writing is like professional sports: in order to become and
remain successful it is necessary to improve continuously – especially
in an environment where public funding is under increasing pressure.
ttopstart has supported hundreds of applications for national and
international subsidy programmes and has shown a stable success
rate that exceeds the a priori chance at least 3-4 times. In our training
courses, we share our formula for success and help you understand
what is needed to write a competitive proposal.
ttopstart's outstanding success rate is, amongst other factors, attributable to
following a structured approach; our own FFWD model (Fit-Framework-Write-
Develop). By following this model, we take time to build a strong project plan,
the foundation for a strong proposal, before we start writing.Throughout the
process, we keep the reviewer close in mind, ensuring that the proposed work is
ambitious but not overselling, and that impact is always a central theme.
We now offer a novel training concept that can help you to implement these key
success criteria. In a tailored, in-house training programme, you will experience:
• How to apply key writing skills
• How to shape the central topic of your proposal
• How to organise the preparation of your proposal
• How to think like a reviewer
• How to centralise impact
All of our trainings are highly interactive and hands-on, meaning that actual
applications under preparation by the participants will be used as case studies
during the training.Where necessary, our training programmes can
be organised around specific subsidy calls.
ttopstart offers training in:
• Grant writing
• Horizon 2020 project management
• Networking for public-private partnerships
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The database is updated weekly with the latest funding opportunities. For each
funding option all relevant aspects are listed, as well as a link to the detailed call
text.The database can easily be searched and navigated and provides you with a
customised overview of relevant funding opportunities.
ttopstart's funding database has received international acclaim and has proven
to be a valuable tool for our clients.With many daily visitors, ttopstart provides
excellent support, advice and service to those seeking funding.
Your benefits:
• Overview of relevant EU and US funding programmes
• Free access
• Easy-to-use search engine
• Direct links to websites and specific factsheets
• Quick contact links to our specialised advisors
Comprehensive life science
funding database
ttopstart's online funding database gives your organisation an up-
to-date and comprehensive overview of the most relevant subsidies,
loans and fiscal stimulation programmes for your research and
development projects, in real-time and free.
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Contact us
For more information please contact one of our consultants
or visit our website at www.ttopstart.com
Marije aan den Toorn, PhD - consultant
marije@ttopstart.com
Patrick de Boer MSc. - partner
patrick@ttopstart.com
+316 5389 7487
ir Jasper Levink - partner
jasper@ttopstart.com
+316 3434 2333
Jochem Bossenbroek MSc. - partner
jochem@ttopstart.com
+316 2244 2641
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