The International Network for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (INSME) is a legally recognized not-for-profit Association open to international membership. Its mission is to stimulate transnational cooperation and public and private partnership in the field of innovation and technology transfer to SMEs.
INSME was first launched as an informal multistakeholder community gathering Governmental bodies, International Organisations and NGOs, Intermediaries and their networks acting in the field of innovation, technology transfer and SME related issues. In mid-February 2004 the network evolved into an independent legal entity initially founded by organisations from Italy, Romania, Spain and Switzerland. Membership in the Association is reserved for the above mentioned categories.
INSME is an initiative promoted by the Italian Government within the OECD Bologna Process on SMEs.
INSME also encourages long term knowledge partnerships with other international initiatives and associations in line with its own scopes, so as to avoid overlapping of activities and maximise the flow of information and benefits to INSME Members, with the final goal to better reach SMEs and meet their needs.
[Source: INSME]
