Article 7 Selection of KICs

the current and potential innovation capacity, including entrepreneurship, within the partnership as well as its excellence in higher education, research and innovation;

the partnership’s capacity to achieve the goals of the SIA and thereby contribute to the general objective and priorities of Horizon 2020;

a multidisciplinary approach to innovation, including the integration of technological, social and non-technological solutions;

the partnership’s capacity to ensure sustainable and long-term self-supporting financing, including a substantial and increasing contribution from the private sector, industry and services;

an appropriately balanced participation in the partnership of organisations active in the knowledge triangle of higher education, research and innovation;

the demonstration of a plan for the management of intellectual property appropriate to the sector concerned, including the way in which contributions from the various partner organisations have been taken into account;

measures to support the involvement of, and cooperation with, the private sector, including the financial sector and in particular SMEs, as well as the creation of start-ups, spin-offs and SMEs, with a view to the commercial exploitation of the results of the activities of KICs;

readiness to establish concrete measures to interact and cooperate with the public and third sectors, as appropriate;

readiness to interact with other organisations and networks outside the KIC with the aim of sharing best practices and excellence;

readiness to establish concrete proposals for synergies with Union and other relevant initiatives.