On 30 November the Dutch Chamber of Commerce will announce the name of the SME that has come first this year in their Innovation Top 100. Hugues Derème, Deputy Director General at BOIP, will for the second time be part of a jury of experts compiling the new ranking. Since 2005, the Chamber of Commerce has used this ranking to shine the spotlight on successful innovations from the SME sector.
The nominations will be judged on a number of different criteria, including originality, their impact in society and their (potential) success in the market. After the health sector (14 innovations), the ICT sector (13) and creative industries (also 13) represent a large proportion of the innovations this year. More than half of the companies nominated have no more than 10 employees, and the list includes 25 start-ups.
The Netherlands as an innovation leader
The way the Netherlands has succeeded year after year in putting the importance of innovation firmly on the map is impressive. In recent rankings compiled by the European Commission and the World Intellectual Property Organization the Netherlands ranks as an innovation leader.
Hugues Derème: “In all those studies intellectual property is used as a key indicator for innovation. We at BOIP, as an IP body, are of course very enthusiastic about the Netherlands’ performance. With its Innovation Top 100, the Dutch Chamber of Commerce puts the focus on (potential) successful innovations and gives them the recognition they deserve. I’m very happy to be able to contribute to that as a member of the jury.”
Innovation brings success to entrepreneurs
A study by the Chamber of Commerce among its Top 100 companies shows that the greatest number of entrepreneurs gain success through innovation:
- 75% improve their competitive position;
- 72% achieve increased turnover;
- 57% achieve more profit and more productivity.
Furthermore, slightly more than 50% of the entrepreneurs have increased the number of their employees and increased exports.
Positive impact of IP rights
Recent study shows that SMEs in the EU that hold a registered trademark, design or patent are better off than businesses with no IP rights. It means, for instance, a better reputation, better protection of their intellectual property and good long-term business prospects. Together with our partners in the Netherlands, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, the Netherlands Patent Office and the Chamber of Commerce, we ensure that entrepreneurs are able to protect and make use of their innovations in as simple a manner as possible.