.:: INVESaT ::.

SMEs: Who may participate?

Registration and support provided by INVESaT is open to all companies in Europe with an innovative project or activity in the area of satellite applications. The latter include Earth Observation, navigation, timing, geo-positioning and telecommunications applications. INVESaT particularly addresses entrepreneurs and Small and Medium-Size Enterprises who are looking for support in building up a successful business plan and who are interested in getting in touch with the investors community.

Why should I register?

SMEs:

The INVESAT Network can help you to optimise your business plan and to fill the gaps in your business model which are required to get support from investors. You will benefit from the Network ‘s links with the investor community, as well as from our connections with renowned incubators and space organisations.

Investors:

Due to its excellent links with space organisations, incubators and with other relevant initiatives within the space community, INVESaT will put you in contact with a large number of innovatove SMEs and entrepreneurs and help you to improve your interactions and support process with them.

What does it cost?

The services provided by INVESaT are free of charge. Registration within the network is independent of any membership within ESINET, EBN or any other organisation. There are no obligations or commitments implied.

Data confidentiality

In order to consolidate the specific knowledge components of the satellite based ICT sector, relevant innovation financing data is needed from registrants. Information submitted in the company profile and questionnaires will remain confidential and will neither be accessible by other registrants nor provided to any third party organisation.

Who runs INVESaT?

INVESaT is managed by a group of complementary organisations involved in the stimulation and the support of innovative SMEs in the area of satellite based services. The consortium includes expert partners, EC BICs as well as a university and is coordinated by the European Business and Innovation Centres Network (EBN). For a full list of the consortium members, visit the section INVESaT partners on this web-site.

What is the SME definition?

On the 6^th of May 2003 the Commission adopted a new Recommendation 2003/361/EC regarding its SME definition. The revision takes into account the economic developments since 1996 and the application of the definition. It increases legal certainty, while reducing possibilities of its circumvention, particularly with regard to state aid, Structural Funds and the Research and Development Framework Programme. The definition of medium-sized, small and micro enterprises is provided below:

Enterprise category	Headcount	Turnover	or Balance sheet total
Medium-sized	< 250	= € 50 million	= € 43 million
Small	< 50	= € 10 million	= € 10 million
Micro	< 10	= € 2 million	= € 2 million

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Send your questions to info@invesat.com in English, French or German.