Not enough number of innovative solutions
Innovation, that is such a change which improves something, gives new quality and enables creation of an innovative product or service. It is especially important from the point of view of a company’s activity because it often decides about success of a particular enterprise on the market.
Investments in innovative projects, especially in these which concern technological development, are burdened with great risk of failure. In result, entrepreneurs who make rational decisions most frequently are not eager to become engage in such projects. According to data of the Central Statistical Office concerning innovativeness of native companies, only 18.6 per cent of industrial enterprises and 12.3 per cent of organizations from the service sector were active in the area of innovations in the years 2012-2014. In the next years, this situation may be changed due to funds from the EU which will be intended for support of innovativeness.
Importantly, it will be engaged on such a big scale for the very first time not only by giving the money which does not require giveback, but also by financial instruments – that is solutions which make that the money obtained by the country will pay for itself after some time. Therefore, business logistics is present in these projects on a greater scale – explains Leszek Grabarczyk, deputy of chairman of the National Center for Research and Development.
Proper support is necessary
Development of innovations should be also stimulated by other mechanisms of support. For instance, the innovativeness act issued by the Sejm on 25th September this year, will introduce a record about possibility of including costs borne by research and development works (during which innovative products are realized) in costs of gaining incomes in income taxes. It concerns both realized research as well as development activities, no matter of their result. The exemption will total up to 30 per cent of remunerations’ costs of employees responsible for the B+R projects as well as additional 20 per cent in the case of small and medium enterprises and 10 per cent for big organizations.
Support programs for the private sector
Companies and private investors count on such support mechanisms which allow to reduce investment risk concerning innovative projects. The private sector in the country intends not enough means for financing expenses for research and development. In order to commercialize innovative projects, the National Center for Research and Development established special mechanisms of support.
We have two programs: BRIdge VC and BRIdge Alfa, within which we will be cooperating with private partners who are managing such undertakings and giving private money. In the case of BRIdge VC, that is in projects which are classical venture capital model known from the Silicon Valley or Israel, there will be at least 50 per cent of private money. In the case of BRIdge Alfa – at least 20 per cent – says Leszek Grabarczyk.
Such programs are aimed at e.g. making the research and development activity available among entities from the private sector. Financial instruments offered by us are to encourage private investors and private management teams to enter this area of activity. We know it on the basis of analyses or theoretical consideration but also of practice. We have realized a pilot undertaking in recent years which showed that there is actually such a demand – judges deputy of chairman in the National Center for Research and Development.
Establishment of proper support mechanisms of research and development activity will contribute to development of innovative products and services in native enterprises. Besides offered forms of support, it is also important to inform entrepreneurs about available programs.