Jari Uotila

I have worked at VTT in international affairs and inspiring SMEs to participate in the EU RDI financial instruments - SME Instrument most recently and currently EIC Accelerator. I have been dealing with EU funding already FP5 (Framework Program 5) onwards. On behalf of my work I have met, discussed and orientated at a number of SME and the start-up companies, especially in Finland, but also in the EU. I am willing to give this my expertise for SMEs and start-ups. Moreover I am ready to give my experience in the internationalization to the company.

Horizon2020 EIC Accelarator (ex SME Instrument) is specifically targeted at innovative, growth-oriented, internationalising and for-profit SMEs and start-ups. It is possible to obtain funding up to € 2.5 million (and it is a grant) to bring an innovative solution to market and open up the international market. Unlike all other H2020 projects, one individual SME/start-up can participate in this application.

A little about my own background:
I am currently retired and close to my heart is still in SMEs/start-ups, and encouraging them to take part in EU projects. Most recently, I worked at VTT in International Relations and also specialized in encouraging SMEs to participate in H2020 projects (especially SME Instrument, Fast Track to Innovation = FTI and Eurostars). Prior to VTT, I worked at KCL (a research institute owned by the forest industry) and there as a program manager and the area also included working as expert for EU projects (involved in FP5, FP6 and FP7 and Horizon2020).