WIRTSCHAFTSFORDERUNG LAND BRANDENBURG GMBH

Their core work

Wirtschaftsförderung Land Brandenburg (WFBB) is the official economic development agency of the German federal state of Brandenburg. Within H2020, they deliver Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) innovation management services to SMEs in the Berlin-Brandenburg region — coaching companies on how to manage innovation processes, access EU funding instruments, and grow their R&D capacity. Their role is helping SMEs navigate and benefit from H2020's SME Instrument and Accelerator programs, not conducting research themselves.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In 2014-2016, WFBB focused broadly on innovation consultancy, SME coaching, and general innovation process management — essentially helping SMEs understand and improve how they handle innovation internally. From 2017 onward, the focus sharpened toward structured Key Account Management (KAM) for existing SME beneficiaries and Enhancing Innovation Management Capacity (EIMC), reflecting a shift from broad coaching to targeted follow-up support for companies already in the H2020 pipeline. This mirrors the EU's own evolution of the SME Instrument into the EIC Accelerator.

WFBB is moving from broad innovation awareness toward structured account management for funded SMEs, suggesting growing capability in post-award support and scale-up assistance.

How they like to work

WFBB exclusively participates as a partner, never as coordinator, across all five projects — consistent with their role as a regional EEN node operating within a centrally coordinated network. With only 2 unique consortium partners in 1 country, they work in a tight, stable partnership rather than building broad consortia. This signals a loyal, reliable partner within a fixed regional mandate rather than an organization seeking diverse international collaborations.

Extremely focused network: only 2 unique partners, all within Germany. This reflects their mandate as a Brandenburg-specific economic development body operating within the Berlin-Brandenburg EEN node, not a limitation but a design choice tied to regional scope.

What sets them apart

WFBB is not a consultancy or research org — it is the official economic development agency of Brandenburg, giving it institutional authority and direct access to the regional SME ecosystem that private firms cannot match. For consortium builders, WFBB offers a reliable channel into the Berlin-Brandenburg business community with established trust among local SMEs. Their value is as a regional gateway and SME mobilizer, not as a technology or research contributor.

Highlights from their portfolio

• InnoManage BB 1516
  Largest single grant (EUR 110,000) — the peak funding period for their EEN innovation management services in Berlin-Brandenburg.
• InnoManage BB 20-21
  Most recent project (EUR 61,414), reflecting the evolved EIMC and KAM approach aligned with the transition from SME Instrument to EIC Accelerator.