The Network of Innovation Managers is a team of regeneration and innovation managers providing a support service to companies in the region, free of charge.

The aim of the Innovation Managers is to provide strong support so that companies can begin or continue to advance in the world of innovation. Therefore, the entrepreneur must have complete trust in their manager and the analysis and diagnosis of the company must be carried out jointly.

The network of managers base their work on innovation not only from a technological standpoint, but seeing it as progress and improvements that can be introduced in the form of original and innovative concepts in all areas of the company (production process, logistics, sales, administration, etc.). Following the Oslo Manual (2005), which describes the methodological and conceptual framework for the collection and interpretation of indicators and data related to science, technology and innovation, making it the leading international source of guidelines for the collection and use of data concerning activities relating to innovation in industry.

Thus, in some cases a manager's work may result in innovations as simple as the creation of a system for internal communication via an intranet, whilst in others it could be the participation of the company in cutting edge research initiatives, the reorganisation of production processes, etc.

The Network of Innovation Managers consists of a multidisciplinary team composed of 8 professionals: a coordinator, 5 experts in innovation and 2 administrative support staff. All have received specific training in specific aspects of innovation, technology transfer, regional, national and international subsidies, as well as in global business concepts such as administration, logistics, excellence, marketing etc. An innovation manager offers:

- Personalised support to the company. The manager makes an appointment to visit the company.
- To accompany the businessperson in the innovation process. Direct contact with the leading institutions and agencies in matters of innovation so that the concrete proposals that arise in each company can be referred to these entities.
- A link with the regional Administration and specifically the Ministry for Industry, Innovation and Employment through ADER (the regional agency responsible for implementing innovation policy).
- Dialogue with Spanish and foreign technical and financial entities.
- A free service. There is no cost for the company, only a commitment to work continually and seriously on the projects resulting from this collaboration.

The Innovation Managers adapt the support they offer to the situation of each company, on the basis of three different courses of action:

1. Initiation in Innovation: for those companies that have not yet started to innovate and see innovation as something inaccessible. The managers become the question that the company must ask itself in order to analyse its situation, how it got there, what options it has for the future, etc. The goal is to get entrepreneurs to internalise their reality using self-analysis as a starting point. To this end, with the help of their manager they will identify the needs, strengths and weaknesses of the company and perform a series of analyses and diagnoses to define their plans for improvement, with support being provided for their implementation if necessary.

2. Advanced services: aimed at companies with experience in the world of innovation. For these companies, the innovation manager brings a general overview of regional, national, European and international programmes that could benefit them. The manager also seeks to establish cooperation between companies, in the search for agreements within and between business sectors and the creation of AEIs (Innovative Business Groups), and also by establishing formal agreements with economic and social agents with the objective of establishing a society of innovation.

3. Obtaining funding: the Managers can help the company to find the best funding for its projects and business strategy, since they have a direct dialogue with Spanish and foreign entities.

To contact width Innovation Managers please send a message to: gestoresdelainnovacion@ader.es