Supporting innovative SME in innovation processes: The role of regional intermediaries

Innovation is crucial for growth in highly developed regions. Still, it remains a challenge to foster innovation deliberately. Regional intermediaries can play an important role and provide platforms that induce networks and conversations. Analysis of examples from Central Switzerland and from Extremadura, Spain, shows three patterns typical for the most innovative SME: To take time for creative thought: `break and play effect´; to mix people with different backgrounds and ideas: `diverse people effect´; and to support open and trustful communication: `conversation effect´. These effects can be summarized as the known `cafeteria effect´ and be used on the regional level. Organizations like the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences or Fundecyt of Extremadura or many other organizations can use these effects as ingredients for creating innovation supportive environments where SME can experience the power of `break and play´, `diverse people´ and open and trustful `conversations´.