On December 13^th, 2007, LifetecZONe (Life Sciences Limburg at the time) submitted its application for an "Innovation Performance Contract". The purpose of this initiative is to obtain financial support for participating companies under the "Innovatie Prestatie Contract"-framework, which was launched by SenterNovem as of January 1st, 2007. This framework was designed with the objective to stimulate innovation amongst the so-called SME’s (small and medium size enterprises) with a minimal administrative burden. To achieve that, SenterNovem created a role for existing network organisations like LifetecZONe as organiser and representative.

Once an "Innovation Prestatie Contract" has been accepted by SenterNovem, each of the participating companies will execute a 3 year project plan, aiming at growth of turnover and/or R&D through product and/or process innovation. Although the focus is with the individual company (80% of the costs), companies are also taking part in so-called collective projects as well: so far, 12 different collective projects have been defined, with two participants per project.

Now this 1st "Innovation Performance Contract" is running and the participants have already received the first half of the Senter Novem subsidy which is 50% of their innovation costs (maximum support: Euro 50.000 per participant). In total 26 companies joined the IPC project and submitted innovation plans with a total value of approx. 4 million Euro, of which Senter Novem will contribute 1.3 million.

Currently we are looking at the possibility of starting a second IPC project, thinking of our new members and especially the Brabant companies that were not contacted yet for the 1st IPC.

More information can be obtained from the project manager, Nick Sassen. You can also find his presentation on www.scoreconsultancy.nl/IPC/  or go to the Senter Novem website www.senternovem.nl

For the press release on the 1st IPC: LifetecZONe: success with Innovation Performance Contract