What approach is needed to realize your innovation?
Register for the KEM's x Innovation Brokers pilot
For the second half of 2025, we are looking for three SME entrepreneurs who want help with the selection, application, and impact of a design approach and methods for innovation. An innovation broker will work with you in this pilot. Interested? Register by September 19th using this form.
In the pilot program, SMEs will receive free innovation consultancy services from an Innovation Broker, in this case, an expert in the field of design and methods. As an SME, you are eligible if your project:
- addresses a societal challenge of a certain complexity,
- involves more than two parties, whose relationship is not a regular outsourcing relationship,
- does not offer a clear answer to the issue you are addressing, and
- does require knowledge development and/or research.
The Innovation Broker will help you with the process, content, network, and/or funding for - in this case - your project's approach and methods. The nature of the consultancy activities will be determined in consultation with you. Examples include innovation sessions, one-on-one coaching, or guidance during a validation process. The pilot is part of the CLICKNL Key Enabling Methodologies (KEMs) programme. In terms of societal challenges, the focus is on the themes of Immersive Content, Circular Design, Spatial Design, and Social Innovation.
What are suitable questions?
The ten guidelines on page 11 of the KEM magazine provide clear guidance on the types of questions you can submit. These primarily concern questions about selecting and applying the right approach and methods, but can also include questions about the impact of your approach and methods on the final results (delivered products, processes, or services). Below are some examples. Not sure if your question is suitable? Contact us at kems@clicknl.nl.
| Type of support | Sample questions |
|---|---|
| Support with funding applications related to the approach | How can we obtain funding for the costs associated with using certain methods (e.g., co-creation)? |
| Support in selecting methods and determining the approach | How do we identify which methods are most relevant for our project, and how do we explore and test them to arrive at a well-informed choice? |
| Support in maintaining a flexible approach and securing knowledge | How do we build flexibility into our project design so that we can adapt or replace methods when they turn out to be unsuitable — without getting bogged down in funding or planning? |
| Support in determining role division and collaboration | How can we use an orchestrator to strengthen the process and collaboration between parties? |
Would you like assistance with the content, network, and/or financing of your project, but not specifically regarding methodology or the approach of your project? Then check out the regular Innovation brokers.
Other conditions
- Your innovation project is still in the preparatory phase (development of project plan, formulation of request, securing financing), or will continue for at least one year after the grant has been awarded.
- As the applicant, you represent an SME (as defined by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, RVO) with an office in the Netherlands.
- The consultancy has to be completed by December 31, 2025.
- The grant covers 100% of the costs of the KEM Innovation broker's consultancy services, up to a maximum of €10,000.
Contact
Do you have questions about KEM's x Innovation Brokers? Could you use some help from an innovation broker? Or, are you curious to know whether your question is a good fit for this call? Please contact Dorien and Martijn at kems@clicknl.nl.