Innovation Impact Challenges

What is an Innovation Impact Challenge?

The Innovation Impact Challenge (formerly SBIR) is an innovation competition in which the government challenges entrepreneurs to come up with solutions for societal issues.

Entrepreneurs develop solutions for societal issues in the form of new products or services.

The Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland (RVO) carries out Innovation Impact Challenges on behalf of various government organizations. Through this approach, the government can leverage the innovative power of companies.

How does a challenge work?

The Innovation Impact Challenge is a phased innovation competition. Entrepreneurs with the best proposals advance to the next phase.

It is also a method of tendering for research and development. In this way, the government helps develop a market in which purchases can be made later.

Phases

Phase 1: feasibility study
The best submissions receive a paid contract to test whether their idea is feasible (technically, legally, financially, and commercially).

After this, the contracting authority decides which projects move on to phase 2.

Phase 2: development
The best projects from phase 1 develop a prototype and test it in practice.

RVO and the contracting authority work together with the entrepreneur to support successful delivery.

What does participation deliver?

For companies:

• an R&D contract with the government (not a subsidy)
• revenue and a clear assignment
• faster innovation and development
• chance to gain an initial customer (the government)
• collaboration with other companies and knowledge institutions
• support with barriers such as regulation or certification
• access to new markets
• intellectual property usually remains with the company

For governments:

• access to innovative solutions
• collaboration with companies
• testing prototypes in practice
• faster contact with the market
• room for experimentation and innovation
• opportunities for (young) innovative companies