H2020 SME Instrument Impact Report 2017 released
European Commission has released first Horizon 2020 (H2020) SME Instrument Impact Report, which highlights the first insights into the growth trends of selected SMEs funded by the SME Instrument, their profile as well as the key features of the programme that have made its unique selling points. It contains cumulative data from 2014 to 2016. The main highlights of the first three years of the Instrument include: 31.000 applications, 2 457 SMEs supported and €882 million distributed in 36 countries. The SME Instrument has generated on average a 250% increase in turn-over and 122% in employment for funded companies. The programme celebrated two IPOs, €480.7 million of private investment leveraged and deployed 400 coaches to help the funded SMEs fine-tune their market strategy and make contacts. This is addition to getting companies ranked in lists of fast-growing companies, precious awards and plenty of innovative entries on the market.