Sponsors

This report analyses the type and range of business interventions provided through the Knowledge Exchange and Enterprise Network (KEEN) programme to SMEs in the West Midlands region. KEEN is a three way partnership between a university, a business, and a graduate. KEEN programmes are collaborative projects which provide assistance to enterprises at various stages of development but mostly for those at pre-innovation stage. Projects primarily focus on assisting companies that are seeking to transform and grow their businesses, but are unable to do so due to inadequate capacity, proficiencies, and a lack of fundamental facilities or systems and in-house processes. KEEN projects support SMEs with expertise and advice. They offer business support in the areas of new product or service development, business process reengineering, operations management, performance improvements, technology, technical or premises related problem solving, and marketing interventions designed to help increase business market share.