Customer Interview: How Meyra got the research grant with EPSA
Interview with Andreas Nahrwold, Head of Development for manual wheelchairs and Alexander Bergen, Head of Development for power wheelchairs at Meyra.
What topics were funded under the research grant?
It was about technologies that significantly simplify the handling and control of (electric) wheelchairs for the user.
Which departments at Meyra were involved in the application process?
In addition to the research and development department, the finance department and the managing director were involved. EPSA then identified the eligible projects using the technical information provided by the research and development department.
How much effort did you put in?
EPSA took care of almost everything, we had to compile and deliver the necessary information, so our working time regarding the application was well to do. In the end, we only had to give the approval. The transparency of the project was also very positive due to the ongoing coordination by EPSA. This meant that we always had an overview and knew all the steps.
How many questions does such an application include?
Five questions must be answered. The answers should be short and concise. You have 800 characters per question, including spaces, which you can use. Therefore, the wording is very important to describe the project concisely with the right keywords and the right technical terms. EPSA’s experience was also very helpful on this point.
What are the details of the answers?
The devil is in the details…
Formulating the answers is a challenge. Although answers need to be brief, EPSA still went deeper into detail in finding answers to provide to the point the information that the Certification Body for Research Grants (BSFZ) needs. For example, the question about the risks of a project. Because the FSOC is not interested if the risk is that the product will not be accepted by customers or that the whole thing is too expensive to produce. These are risks that are not accepted by the FSO. EPSA has supported us in identifying and describing the risks relevant to the application.
What about the financial figures?
Illuminating the cost structure is elementary to ensure that all costs of a project are really considered. Based on the information we provided, EPSA prepared the cost estimate with all eligible cost items of eligible items and coordinated with us.
Was EPSA paid based on success?
Yes. If nothing went through, they would not have received a fee.
How satisfied were you with the project outcome?
Very. All of the projects submitted were funded. EPSA did a lot of the work for us. The cooperation was very pleasant. In the end, EPSA minimized our effort and maximized our success.
What tips would you give on research grants?
Call EPSA. On the one hand, because of the experience with the research allowance. On the other hand, many companies do not have the time in their daily routine to submit applications.
About MEYRA GmbH
MEYRA GmbH (founded in 1936) is part of the globally operating MEYRA Group and one of the most internationally renowned as well as successful wheelchair manufacturers and suppliers of rehabilitation aids.
The company manufactures many products at its headquarters in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, sells them in more than 70 countries and operates a further eight production, assembly and sales sites in Poland, Norway, Denmark, France, Hungary, Russia, the Czech Republic and China.
With the cooperation agreement of Alu Rehab at the beginning of 2020, the Norwegian care wheelchair specialist, and the acquisition of the Danish power wheelchair manufacturer TA Service in August 2020, the MEYRA Group is successively expanding its market position in the mobility and rehabilitation segment in addition to its successful active wheelchair business.
In short: For more than 80 years, MEYRA has stood for bundled expertise, great commitment and a strong brand.
EPSA has been helping companies across Europe prepare for such a process for three decades. 300 scientific consultants work on the description, evaluation and monetization of research projects.
Find out more at: https://us.epsa.com/
Source: https://us.epsa.com/
Contact
Kloepfel Group
Christopher Willson
Tel.: 0211 941 984 33
Pempelforter Str. 50
40211 Duesseldorf
Mail: rendite@kloepfel-consulting.com