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Innovative SMEs play an important role in the societal transitions of tomorrow. That is why the Province of Utrecht, Municipality of Utrecht, and ROM Utrecht Region are collaborating to accelerate the implementation of scalable innovations. Through the Kansen voor West III (KvW3) programme, they offer four voucher schemes focusing on digital healthcare technology, circular economy, educational technology, and energy transition. These vouchers provide financial support to SMEs for advisory and pilot projects to assist in the development and application of their innovation.
Commissioned by the Province of Utrecht and Municipality of Utrecht, Dialogic conducted a mid-term evaluation of these schemes. The evaluation focused on the extent to which these vouchers contribute to stimulating and expediting scalable innovations. The evaluation indicates that the pilot vouchers are particularly effective: they help companies to further develop existing innovations, reduce risks, and strengthen partnerships with collaborators. The advisory vouchers, in their current form, offer limited added value.
The ultimate societal and economic impact is yet to be fully demonstrated, as many projects are still ongoing or have only recently been completed. However, it is evident that the pilot vouchers serve as a key catalyst for innovative SMEs in the Utrecht region.
