An innovative counselling tool Spiderweb has been created and introduced by VGTU in a close coperation with Lithuanian Innovation Center and Vilnius Industry and Business Association. The Spiderweb facilitates the counselling process on strengthening the non-technological innovation in the owner-managed SMEs. Many European SMEs are owner-managed and they represent sectors with huge potential for innovation, growth and increased employment.

A more personalized and visual approach to the counselling process is a basis for the innovation created. Spiderweb consists of 8 categories with 4-6 questions in each category and asks to evaluate a current and expected situation in the futureThe categories guide through the process and cover the following issues: the vision and strategy of owner-manager, the company, market understanding, non-technological innovations, staff and resources assessment, cooperation and networking with other actors, business sustainability, non-technological innovation management. After answering all the question the tool forms a visual graph Spiderweb and provides the information to prioritise development areas in improvement the non-technological innovation.

The SME owner-manager in Lithuania who used the Spiderweb says, that “it was the possibility to introduce new approach of non-technological innovation that potentially opens the doors for new markets”.