Uniq Bioresearch Oy´s project was awarded over 1 million euro funding from Horizon 2020 SME-Instrument II phase

Invent Baltics helped the Finnish company Uniq Bioresearch, active in developing a novel microencapsulation technology, to compose a successful project proposal to the European Commission Horizon 2020 research and innovation funding program. The Phase 2 project with total budget around 1.5 million euros will be funded under the Horizon 2020 “Resource-efficient eco-innovative food production and processing” work program.

Uniq Bioresearch is developing a novel microencapsulation technology that enables to add a large variety of delicate oils, probiotics and other sensitive ingredients to different products. Effective microencapsulation improves the products´ shelf-life and food security, reduce off-flavours and taints, add functional properties, enable resource efficient food production and increase the commercial products´ competitiveness. Uniq´s microencapsulation technology can be implemented in various industries like food, feed, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals production.

Within the 2-year SME-instrument project, Uniq aims to: 1) reduce the microencapsulation costs by 91%; 2) achieve 70% fill-coating ratio; 3) improve controlled release and other key advantages; 4) set up pilot production for market validation and dissemination; 5) create a scale-up package, incl. process planning strategy, production manuals and licencing concept; 6) validate the innovation in 3 market segments with most potential for fast market uptake. In addition, the SME-Instrument also covers costs related to marketing, demonstration and commercialisation network establishing.

The SME Instrument is a dedicated funding instrument under the Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation program that supports innovative Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in Europe and associated countries. 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 or enabling technologies. Applications are expected in various topics and companies can apply for funding individually. 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 are at November 25th 2015 (Phase 1 and 2); February 3rd 2016 (Phase 2); March 2nd (Phase 1); April 14th (Phase 2) and May 3rd (Phase 1).  Invent Baltics OÜ provides initial consultancy regarding funding opportunities within the Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation program free of charge.

More info
Silver Toomla
silver.toomla@invent.ee
+372 51 71 781