Innovation Impact Challenges
Innovation Impact Challenges
The Innovation Impact Challenge is the method by which the government challenges entrepreneurs to develop innovative solutions for societal issues. During a Challenge, entrepreneurs deliver innovative, solution-oriented products, services, and applications for societal issues.
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
Editions of Innovation Impact Challenges
Overview of all rounds and their status.
Solving societal challenges with IX
The IIC Method
The Innovation Impact Challenge (IIC) connects IX creators with large commissioning parties to solve concrete societal challenges. Each theme has multiple phases: from exploration and prototyping to large-scale demonstration.
Consortia of creators, knowledge institutions and adopters work together on innovative solutions. The methodology has been developed with years of experience in challenge-based innovation.
All IIC calls are implemented in collaboration with the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). RVO handles the subsidy administration and guides consortia through the application process.
Wil je IX inzetten in jouw organisatie?
Ontdek hoe je als 'launching customer' kunt deelnemen aan IIC-projecten.
Related funding schemes
Learning Communities
This programme connects innovation, learning, and work, enabling professionals to further develop their knowledge and skills in immersive experiences. It involves four-year projects by consortia from research, education, and practice.
CIIIC PRO
Multi-year practice-oriented research aimed at developing knowledge and practical approaches to improve and expand the application of immersive experiences (IX).
CIIIC Start
CIIIC Start offers funding for one-year exploratory research.
Stay involved
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Ask questions, share work and find collaborators in the CIIIC community.
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