Blockstart: Blockchain-based applications for SME competitiveness

Project Summary

European SMEs are all facing similar hurdles when it comes to digital skills and the adoption of new technologies. Many do not have the resources to invest in research and development. So how can they make the most of blockchain technology? That's where the Blockstart SME Training Programme comes in.

It's a free training programme to increase awareness and understanding of how blockchain technologies will impact your sector and business. The programme is tailored to each participant's needs. You can select from a wide range of options - including training sessions, workshops, and webinars - and discover the potential impact of blockchain with the support of the Blockstart partners and our network of transnational experts!

 

Why blockchain for SMEs?

Upcoming technology

Not yet understood by many SMEs

 

SMEs are vulnerable to risks

In delayed invoices, cash flow, data security and error in data etc.

 

Don't have the capacity to invest

Many do not have the resources to invest in research and development

 

Huge potential can cut costs and risks by:

  • Tracking shipment across (many) different organisations

  • Sharing sensitive (medical) data between partners

  • Assuring quality, safety and origin of food

 

Apply to the programme today!

Go to the application form

Project Partners

Lead partner

Organisation Address Email Website
Brightlands Smart Services Campus (business name) Campus Heerlen Management & Development BV (legal name) 2 Smedestraat
Heerlen
6411 CR
Netherlands 		blockstart.smartservices@brightlands.com www.brightlands.com/brightlands-smart-services-campus
Name Contact Name Email Country
Windesheim University of Applied Sciences Michiel Steeman ma.steeman@windesheim.nl Netherlands
Medicen Paris Region Daniela Onofri donofri@medicen.org France
East Netherlands Development Agency Ingmar Janssen Ingmar.Janssen@oostnl.nl Netherlands
Multitel asbl Nicolas Point point@multitel.be Belgium
BioRegio STERN Management GmbH Margot Jehle jehle@bioregio-stern.de Germany
The University of Surrey Caroline Fleming c.fleming@surrey.ac.uk United Kingdom
ChainPoint B.V. Geoff Taylor g.taylor@chainpoint.com Netherlands
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Blockstart SME Free Training Programme 

European SMEs are all facing similar hurdles when it comes to digital skills and the adoption of new technologies. Many do not have the resources to invest in research and development. So how can they make the most of blockchain technology? That's where the Blockstart SME Training Programme comes in.

It's a free training programme to increase awareness and understanding of how blockchain technologies will impact your sector and business. The programme is tailored to each participant's needs. You can select from a wide range of options - including training sessions, workshops, and webinars - and discover the potential impact of blockchain with the support of the Blockstart partners and our network of transnational experts!

Apply Now

Go to the application form

Get started with your application

APPLICATION EXPLANATIONS
BROCHURE
SELF-DECLARATION FORM
COURSE OVERVIEW
ABOUT THE PROGRAMME

Business Skill Workshops

Regulatory Basics of Medical Devices in Europe

The workshop conveys basics of medical device regulations in Europa. It addresses the critical topics of classification and conformity assessment in accordance with EU directives and regulations.

Content:

- What is a medical device

- Applicable regulations in Europe (directives/regulation)

- National implementation

- Classification and conformity assessment

- Standards

- Jurisdiction in Germany

- Basics of quality management

- Post-market surveillance and vigilance

 

Duration: 1 day

Delivery Partner: Schrack & Partner

Location: online  or on-site

 

 

Basics of Risk Management for Medical Devices

The workshop conveys basics of risk management for medical devices and the procedures for performing risk analyses in accordance with legal and normative requirements. It is based on the EU regulation 2017/745 and the EN ISO 14971 standard. The workshop details drawing up and implementing a comprehensive risk management process.


Content:
- Legal requirements for risk management
- Structure and content of EN ISO 14971
- Structure of the risk management file
- Preparing a risk management plan
- Hazards and their assessment
- Risk analysis and mitigation
- Risk management report
- Risk management during the product life cycle
- Integration into the quality management system

 

Duration: 1 day

Delivery Partner: Schrack & Partner

Location: online  or on-site

Medical Device Design and Development (Focus: Software)

The workshop conveys legal and regulatory requirements for the design and development process. It takes into account the requirements of EN ISO 13485:2016 and regulation (EU) 2017/745. The implementation is discussed using the concrete procedure for a design and development project with its phases and their documentation. Aspects of software life cycle (according to EN 62304), risk management (according to EN ISO 14971), and usability (according to EN 62366) are discussed.


Content:
- Legal and regulatory requriements for design and development of medical devices
- The design and development process and its phases
- Documentation requirements
- Software life cycle according to EN 62304
- Risk analysis and usability
- Design validation and clinical evaluation
- Change management

 

Duration: 1 day

Delivery Partner: Schrack & Partner

Location: online  or on-site

General Blockchain Workshops

Fundamentals in Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technologies -Module 1 by Fraunhofer IAO

Objective: Teaching the fundamentals of Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technologies and identifying initial innovation and efficiency improvement potential in your company


The workshop includes an introduction to the Blockchain and the related Distributed Ledger technologies, their potentials, limitations and exemplary use cases. Subsequently, basic application potentials for your company are identified using creative techniques and the analysis
of your business processes. Potentials can result from the optimization of existing processes and transactions as well as from the discovery of innovation potential for your business portfolio.

 

Duration: 1 day

Delivery Partner: Fraunhofer IAO

Location: on-site

Business Development of Blockchain use-cases - Module 2 by Fraunhofer IAO

Objective: Individual analysis and development of a Blockchain Use Case for your company

This module can be based on module 1, however, if you already have a basic understanding and an initial idea for using the Blockchain in your company, you can also start directly with module 2.
Based on a business and requirements analysis, this module develops a Blockchain use case for your company. Technical and economic aspects are considered together. A critical analysis of the technology (including safety and privacy aspects) is complemented with a business model
development for your company and a potentially resulting cross company ecosystem.


Duration: Individual appointments over a two-week period

Delivery Partner: Fraunhofer IAO

Location: (remote or at the Fraunhofer IAO, Stuttgart)

Health-related Blockchain Workshops

Blockchain basics for the Healthcare Industry - Module A by Michael Munz

Description: In this module, the participants will gain a profound knowledge of the history, the technical basics and possible applications of the Blockchain Technology as well as an overview of use cases in the healthcare industry.

Content:

  • Background - The growing interest in distributed ledger technologies
  • Introduction to Distributed Ledger Technology / Blockchain Technology
  • Blockchain Fundamentals / Technical Introduction
  • Blockchain applications from practical experience
  • Summary Blockchain Technology
  • Potential of Blockchain Technology for the Healthcare Sector
  • Q&A | Discussion

 

Duration: 1 Day / 2-3 online sessions between two or three hours

Location: On-site event or Online event

Delivery Partner: Michael Munz - Blockchain Technologieberatung

Max number of participants: 10 participants

Deep Dive - Blockchain in the Healthcare Industry - Module B by Michael Munz

Description: In this module, participants gain a detailed insight into Blockchain-based/enabled business models from various industries, a detailed overview of applications in the healthcare industry, the technological interaction with other technologies and a perspective of the impact on the processes and business environment of the respective company.

Content:

  • Blockchain Archetypes
  • Blockchain based / enabled business models
  • Analysis of selected use cases from various industries
  • Overview of selected Use Cases and Applications in the Healthcare Sector
  • Convergence with other technologies
  • Implications and effects on digital business processes and ecosystems
  • Q&A | Discussion

 

Duration: 1 Day / 2-3 online sessions between two or three hours

Location: On-site event or Online event

Delivery Partner: Michael Munz - Blockchain Technologieberatung

Max number of participants: 10 participants

Business Development Workshop: How to identify and define suitable business cases for the Healthcare Industry – Module C by Michael Munz in Cooperation with Horváth & Partners

Description: In this module, the participants receive a deep knowledge of the possible applications of Blockchain Technology and develop first ideas for the digitalization of business processes, products or services.

Content:

  • Keynote presentation on Blockchain Technology, possible fields of application and use cases in the Healthcare Industry
  • Insights to current trends and challenges within the Healthcare Industry
  • First "high level" discussion of opportunities & risks for your company
  • Derivation of strategic focus areas with high "Blockchain relevance”
  • Sharpened technology understanding & awareness
  • Give insights how to transfer an Idea to an growing and successful business field
  • Defined focus areas for detailed analyses and possible pilot applications
  • Discussion regarding the suitability of the ideas and further development of 2 to 3 Blockchain ideas
  • Summary and preparation of the workshop results
  • Planning and coordination of follow-up activities

 

Duration: 1 Day / 2-3 online sessions between two or three hours

Location: On-site event or Online event

Delivery Partner: Michael Munz - Blockchain Technologieberatung & Horváth & Partners

Max number of participants: 10 participants

Logistics-related Blockchain Workshops

Agrofood-related Blockchain Workshops

 

Questions?

Don't hesitate to get in touch! You can also reach out on Twitter and LinkedIn. 

The following associated partners have pledged their support for the project:

  • Regio Foodvalley (Netherlands)
  • Stichting ICT Valley (Netherlands)
  • Letztblock A.S.B.L. (Luxembourg)
  • Setsquared Partnership (United Kingdom)
  • Teagasc Food Research Centre (Ireland)
  • Institute of Supply Chain Management - University of St. Gallen (Czech Republic)
  • Eurometropolis Lille - Kortrijk - Tournai (France and Belgium)
  • Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (Luxembourg)
  • FOM University of Applied Sciences (Germany)
  • Dutch Blockchain Coalition (Netherlands)
  • Intersystems SAS (France)
  • European Logistics Centre Limburg (Netherlands)
  • Food Processing Initiative (Germany)
  • BOM Business Development & Foreign Investments BV (Netherlands)
  • Say Partners (France)
  • Fapics the French association for supply chain management (France)
  • MecaTech Cluster (Belgium)

News

Increasing SME competitiveness with Blockchain solutions

Posted on

Blockchain and distributed ledger technologies (DLT) are rapidly re-shaping how society can benefit from digitalisation. Blockchain is one of the newest innovations of our generation. To put it simply, blockchain is for value sharing, what the internet became for information sharing. Today, over 30 billion devices are interconnected within IoT (Internet of Things), with that number expecting to double by 2025. But what does this mean for tomorrow’s global socio-economic paradigm, and what opportunities can arise through Blockchain? The Blockstart SME Training Programme aims to provide the tools to answer such questions and guide the next generation of SMEs through the digital revolution. Read More

Blockchain and IoT: Beyond the hype

Posted on

Combining IoT and blockchain is one way the project can help develop new digital solutions. Blockchain technology could enhance IoT, allowing devices to send data to private blockchain ledgers with tamper-resistant records for further analysis. Several Blockstart partners have performed state-of-the-art analyses, “proof of concept” implementation and further research on this topic in order to find the best technology and structure for SME use cases. As the number of IoT devices increases, so does the rate at which data needs to be processed. It is important that potential solutions take into account the time needed for secure data storage and treatment (as with smart contracts for example). Read More

Developing effective support for SMEs

Posted on

From the 28th to the 30th of January, the Blockstart project partners came together in Zwolle, hosted by Windesheim University of Applied Sciences, for the third partner meeting. The agenda included associated partners as well as expert speakers, who shared invaluable insights that informed the development of the SME training programme. Read More

Events

Webinar: Blockchain Use Cases in Healthcare

, online

This webinar provides an overview of current trends in blockchain technology in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. It also explores how the COVID-19 crisis is affecting, perhaps driving, the uptake of blockchain technology - as with the development of the digital Corona vaccination card.
Read More

The Opportunity of Blockchain

, Brightlands Smart Services Campus, Heerlen

Bringing together four major pan-European projects that support the development of blockchain technology and its multi-sector adoption. Each of these projects offers business and technical support, as well as direct financial seed funding for start-ups and SMEs in Agriculture; Fintech; Logistics and Health. Participants will discover the project objectives and the available support. Start-ups and SMEs will benefit from the advice and information provided by key players in these EU-funded projects, including Pieter Custers (Brightlands Techruption Manager), Professor Christopher Brewster (TNO and Maastricht University). Dr Tjerk Timan (TNO).
Read More