Brighterwave Oy will receive a €2.2 million grant for the implementation of Horizon 2020 SME Instrument phase 2 project

Invent Baltics consultants supported the Finnish company Brighterwave Oy in preparing a successful SME Instrument Phase 2 project proposal to the European Commission Horizon 2020 research and innovation funding program. The project with a total budget of €3.2 million will receive support under the Open Disruptive Innovation topic.

Brighterwave is developing a revolutionary laser light source that is 97% smaller than its closest competitor and enables building the first consumer-friendly AR/VR eyewear. The biggest unsolved issue in the industry has been creating an imaging component which would generate excellent image quality and be small enough to enable production of AR/VR eyewear that consumers are willing to wear continuously. The focus in phase 2 project is on miniaturisation and productization of the existing technology.

SME Instrument is a dedicated funding instrument under the Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation programme that supports innovative SMEs in Europe. The instrument aims to fill the gaps in funding for research and innovation at early stages and thereby accelerate the exploitation of novel solutions to address key societal challenges. Applications are expected in various topics and companies can apply for funding as single applicants or with partners. Subcontracting is allowed both in phase 1 and phase 2 projects.

The SME Instrument phase 1 funding supports SMEs to cover the funding for initial feasibility assessment and business modelling for the novelty. Phase 2 funding is targeted to SMEs with particular focus on product development, demonstration activities and market replication.

The next cut-off dates for phase 1 are February 15 and May 3. The next phase 2 deadlines are January 18 and April 6. Invent Baltics OÜ provides initial consultancy regarding funding opportunities within the Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation programme free of charge.