St.Gallen – The Innovation Network Eastern Switzerland (INOS) is expanding its coaching services for SMEs. Up to CHF 15,000 can now be approved instead of the previous CHF 10,000. The approval process and communication of projects have also been simplified.
INOS wants to make it even easier for SMEs in Eastern Switzerland to implement new business ideas and bring innovations to the market. To this end, the innovation network has expanded its coaching services, INOS announced in a press release. Funding has been increased from the previous maximum of CHF 10,000 to a maximum of CHF 15,000. INOS has also simplified the approval and project communication process.
A grant of 10,000 francs corresponds to 55 hours of consultation, explains INOS. In the first stage, SMEs can use the hours flexibly in their innovation project. The new additional funding amount of up to CHF 5,000 can be applied for in a second stage. The prerequisite is that the company contributes at least the same amount to the consulting program.
"With our new, more flexible coaching offer, we want to support even more SMEs in Eastern Switzerland in implementing their innovations and strengthening their competitiveness in the long term," INOS Managing Director Lukas Budde is quoted as saying in the press release. "Our experts are looking forward to supporting many more exciting projects." The Innovation Network Eastern Switzerland is supported by the cantons of Appenzell Innerrhoden and Ausserrhoden, Glarus, Graubünden, Schaffhausen, St.Gallen, Thurgau as well as the Zürioberland location promotion agency and the federal government. ce/hs