Manage for today, lead for tomorrow – the success of every SME is built on this premise. Yet today’s economic context coupled with growing global competition has made it all the more challenging for Europe’s SMEs to survive let alone thrive. That’s why the support network developed by KARIM, an EU initiative set up in North West Europe, has been so instrumental.The KARIM Conference taking place on 2 October 2014 is inviting innovation enthusiasts and practitioners to come along for fresh insights into ‘Responsible Innovation’, a new philosophy that the EU is firmly supporting.Perspective(s) on Responsible InnovationSet up to assist SMEs in North West Europe, KARIM has made a significant breakthrough in the innovation landscape by considering ‘responsibility’ from the perspective of those behind it - entrepreneurs and researchers.Its new guidance book, ‘Responsible Innovation in the context of the KARIM project’, proves there is competitive advantage by innovating using new technology from universities in a way, which considers the impact of innovation on society, groups within it and the environment. Such is the evidence that the EU has invested in KARIM to encourage wider adoption of responsible innovation.Organised as a part of the European SME Week, this one-day event will showcase and evaluate the projects achievements across three areas of activity:Knowledge baseComplementing the guidance on Responsible Innovation, the project has conducted transnational research to answer a series of questions related to SME & labs international cooperation: How do SMEs build cooperation in KARIM regions, how do they prepare to go international, what is the available support in their jurisdictions? What is the role of spinoff in technology transfer in the several KARIM regions and their experiences in the technology transfer from academia to industry?Capacity buildingIn just over two years, KARIM has proven the value of transnational cooperation between academia and innovation support organisations to foster cross border partnerships between labs and SMEs. SME supportKARIM provides transnational support to SMEs in order to enhance their involvement in European cooperation. This support builds on tools dedicated to business development managers, students with a collaborative placement scheme, SMEs responsible innovation diagnostic, (…)If you are interested in finding out more about responsible innovation and how it can shape the EU economic agenda,register online and join the debate!