Research competence for small and medium sized enterprises

ACR, the association of cooperative research organisations, was founded in 1954. Since then, ACR has been the main lobbying organisation for small and medium sized enterprises and non-university applied research and development organisations within the Austrian innovation system.

• ACR is the intermediary between research, development, innovation and SME. Only a few SME can afford their own research personnel, let alone their own research department. Therefore, they need the assistance of research and development organisations that provide their services to their specific needs. This is the strength of the ACR-members.

• The ACR-members are characterised by their orientation towards applicability and SME. Being themselves SME, they know the research and development needs of small and mediums sized enterprises and can offer their services tailored to the requirements of SME. Due to this, ACR-members assist the innovation processes within SME, thus improving their competitiveness.

• ACR is a major lobby for SME-oriented research and technology organisations. ACR represents the interests of the cooperative research organisations towards the decision makers in politics, interest groups and the public in general. ACR is the mouthpiece of its members and the Austrian SME towards politics and the economy.

• ACR represents the interests of its members and the Austrian SME on an international level. ACR offers information about EU-programmes and assists in finding potential partners on a European level.