GC Business Growth Hub (BGH) wishes to appoint a service provider to enter into a Framework Contract that can play an active role in identifying, developing and realising international opportunities and projects.

The 4 areas of priorities are:

— High Tech Systems and Materials,

— Human Health,

— Logistics,

— Biobased Economy, Maintenance, Food and Nutrition, and Automotive.

The project which has a total value of 2 978 587 EUR is designed to help support and accelerate product innovation in SMEs at the cross roads where advanced materials and medical devices meet. The project aims to create a network of over 300 stakeholders including SMEs and will look to identify a minimum of 100 potential projects (matches), which will lead to 40 SMEs being supported to introduce new to the market products and 5 000 000 EUR of investment into innovative products

It will do this by:

— providing an online network for stakeholders to find solutions and connect with other SMEs and research organisations,

— deliver support to accelerate SME innovation, validate new product opportunities and demonstrate the technology, particularly for investors, through voucher funding,

— enable SMEs to understand the new regulatory framework for medical devices from 2020,

— help suitable SMEs to find private investment, typically from business angels to enable the innovations to be commercialised.

The consortium, which is led by the GC Business Growth Hub and is made up of 7 European partners actively involved in the Life Science Sector

GMBS is looking for a supplier who meets the following:

— has a proven track record in successfully managing and delivering Interreg funded consortium projects aimed at supporting SME innovation international cooperation opportunities and opportunities for the development of new partnerships,

— in-depth of experience in managing project consortiums to deliver successful outcomes,

— knowledge and experience of the current requirements of the North West Europe programme, other Interreg geographies,

— knowledge and experience in the field of financial administrative and substantive support in the execution of international projects, including the use of relevant project management tools,

— adequate experience in promoting innovation and technological development in international clusters of companies and institutions and in individual companies and institutions,

— an eye for linking technology and innovation opportunities to the needs and possibilities of business,

— adequate experience in the field of project management of companies and institutions to optimise European project opportunities in particular R & D cooperation and innovation projects,

— able to communicate fluently in languages appropriate to the consortium.