Technology Promotion by the Sächsische Aufbaubank Sab (Central 13 Development Agency of the Free State of Saxony)

To make it easier for companies to access new technologies, the Free State of Saxony has set up a range of support measures. They can take advantage of these support opportunities to introduce innovative products and processes in their companies and thus increase the competitiveness.

The following funding measures are available:

• R&D project funding in the form of individual company projects or joint projects in cooperation between companies and/or companies and research institutions. The measures serve to develop new or improved products and processes.
• Technology transfer funding (exclusively for SMEs) can be used to promote the acquisition of technical knowledge for the realization of new products or processes or those adapted to a new state of the art. Adaptation developments and consulting services can also be part of the project. The grant amounts to 50% of the eligible costs.
• The innovation award (exclusively for SMEs) supports the use of external R&D service providers for the development of new or improvement of existing products, processes and services as well as technical support in the implementation phase with grants of 50% of the eligible costs, a maximum of 2 innovation awards per applicant and year.
• The KETs pilot line funding serves to implement research results in a pilot line. The aim is to achieve industrial production maturity. It should be noted that investment in the line is only funded through depreciation during the
• By promoting the employment of InnoExperts, the recruitment and employment of highly qualified personnel is supported. These can be, for example, university graduates, young scientists, researchers or
  engineers.

In this way, the innovative strength and competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Saxony in particular are to be strengthened. As a rule, personnel expenses are funded for up to 30 months with a funding rate of 50%.

• The InnoTeam program supports cooperation between small and medium-sized enterprises and universities or research institutions in the formation of competence teams. Funding is provided for InnoTeams with three to twelve members, each of whom has a degree in economics, natural sciences or engineering. Applicants receive a grant of up to 100 percent of the eligible expenses for each position created, depending on the funding level and the size or form of the enterprise, over a period of usually 36 months.
• Funding for a transfer assistant supports the recruitment and employment of persons with relevant professional experience in science or business. Transfer assistants have the task of supporting SMEs through information and advisory services in the identification and planned transfer of technological knowledge from technology providers for the preparation and realization of product or process innovations or to prepare research results from science for industry. Funding is provided for personnel expenses for up to 48 months with a funding rate of 50%.