SmartPilots aims to improve policies in support of Shared Pilot Facilities and their users. SmartPilots brings together the six leading pilot facilities for industrial biotechnology and the bioeconomy in Europe and their respective regions.
The bio-economy adresses societal challenges such as climate change, sustainable economic growth and energy independence. The bio-economy enables the sustainable production of chemicals, pharmaceutical products, materials, food, feed and energy from renewable raw materials.
From innovation to practice
Shared pilot facilities (SPF)Â are open access test sites that bring bio-economy innovations from the laboratory into industrial practice. They are open to all companies and research institutes, and can thus be seen as shared investments in innovation equipment. They have proven to be successful in helping innovators, especially SMEs, to bridge the so-called Valley of Death, i.e. the innovation phase between between laboratory and successful market introduction, that comes with a high technological and financial risk. Typically, initial funding from governments is available to build a Shared Pilot Facility, but it is a challenge to safeguard their long-term existence, especially since bio-economy is relatively new and dedicated policies are currently lacking in many regions.
SmartPilots aims to improve regional policies to provide support in a cost-effective and impact oriented manner. This will be done by:
- Optimizing direct support for shared pilot facilities
- Optimizing indirect support i.e. direct support for users of shared pilot facilities
- Facilitating interregional cooperation regarding Shared Pilot Facilities.
For more information view website SmartPilots.
