H2020 SME Instrument benefits Twente firms

Three companies from the same city in the eastern Netherlands have received grants under Horizon 2020’s SME instrument.

Tide Microfluidics, Blue4Green and Optisense, all based in Enschede in the Twente region will receive funding under the first two phases of the scheme.

Tide Microfluidics, a manufacturer of monodisperse microbubbles, will receive a grant of €50,000 under phase 1 (concept and feasibility assessment), as well as business coaching to support the innovative and disruptive SME and assistance in developing an initial business proposal. Blue4Green, developing new technology to faster diagnose animal ailments and diseases, will also benefit from phase 1. A total of 1,444 applications were made to the phase 1 call.

Optisense, which is creating sensitive biosensors for monitoring contaminants and biochemical substances, will receive a phase 2 grant (demonstration, market replication and R&D). The funding, worth between €0.5-€2.5m, will help the SME to develop its business proposal through innovation activities, as well as develop a more detailed business proposal. The firm will also receive business coaching.

Calls for all three phases of the SME Instrument are currently open. With multiple deadlines, the final date for applications to phase 1 and 2 is 17 September 2015, and 29 April 2015 for phase 3.