Nicaraguan Innovation Fund for SMEsNicaraguan Innovation Fund for SMEs

Government instrument to promote exports and national competitiveness by helping Government instrument to promote exports and national competitiveness by helping businesses find, adopt and adapt useful technologies businesses find, adopt and adapt useful technologies

Regina Lacayo OyangurenFebuary 2007

Ministerio de Fomento, Industria y Comercio

Some ExamplesSome Examples

Empresa RC IndustriasEmpresa RC Industrias

Type of Innovation: Incremental, Technological Innovation

Objetive: Develop new product and adapt and upgrade new technology: R&D in design and adaptation of new technology, tests, prototype, reingeneering process, technology acquisition and training.

Description : Development of two new products by recycling used plastic materials from different types of used bags and implementing a new productive process and new technologies : black plastic bags to seed small plants in breeding grounds and garbage bags . This project is contributing to the reduction of environmental contamination in Nicaragua; and in alliance with cooperatives organized by city authorities and OIT is helping working mothers so that they keep their children in school and no longer work in the city garbage areas . La Chureca.

RC. INDUSTRIAS

Especialized CenterEspecialized Center(TEMA)(TEMA)

Type of Innovation: Incremental Technological Innovation Business Initiative

Directions Award (BID)Geneva 2006

Objetive: R%D to develop new product and adapt and upgrade new technology : prototype, reingeneering process, technology acquisition and specialized training for handicapped personnel.

Description : SME is increasing productivity through diversification, development of new products, hospital instruments, and weelchairs in alliance with University Technological Service Center for R%D for new designs and prototypes, market studies for the introduction of new products according to local needs , specialized equipment and personnel training, new product catalogs, IPRs.

Industrias Reichel, S.A.Industrias Reichel, S.A.

Type of Innovation: Radical at country level, Technological Innovation

Objective: Develop new product and patent (IPR )

Description : Small company of German origin, with more than 20 years dedicated to research in forest species, particularly the Jícaro, a national tree. The Licor de Jícaro is elaborated with the fermented pulp of the fruit , an organic raw material and is distilled 25% alcohol. This product has managed to introduce itself in national market and is being sold in Central America, the patent has been registered. It is a unique product in the Country.

Licor de JícaroLicor de Jícaro

Salineras de Nicaragua S.A & Mineral PlusSalineras de Nicaragua S.A & Mineral Plus

Type of Innovation: Radical, Technological Innovation

Objetive: Develop two new products and processes

Description: This is an Associative Plan between two SMEs : Salineras de Nicaragua S.A. and Mineral Extra. First product was developed as a result of R&D on the mineral deficiencies in cattle nutrition in different regions of Nicaragua; EXTRA MINESAL is based on a new formula that contains copper, cobalt, zinc, selenium and phosphorus. With this product cattle nutrition improves; mortality rate decreases and productivity of meat and milk increases. The second product developed : FINAMAR is a high quality salt with 99% purity and 2% humidity. This high quality salt is the basis for MINERAL EXTRA and is also being used by SMEs in the dairy and other food sectors in Nicaragua who before had to import this product from other CA countries. To carry out this innovation the SME developed new production processes.

Salineras de Nicaragua S.ASalineras de Nicaragua S.A

Technological Technological Service Center at Service Center at

UPOLIUPOLI

Administrative Support

Directive Committee

Director

R&D Technical Assitance

Laboratories

Technical Committee