The German Institute for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises was founded in spring 2001. The Institute is situated in the University of Arts (Universität der Künste - UdK) in Berlin, with whom a contract of cooperation exists especially in the areas of electronic business, design and SME.

The Institute sees itself as a platform between business, politics, science and associations. The main task of the Institute is to lastingly improve the competitive position of small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) by supporting cooperation, knowledge transfer, research and teaching in the areas of business and technology.

For the institute the following three services are most important:

• Research: Practical but also scientific research in the areas of medium-sized business, trades-people and self-employed.

• Education: Education and know-how transfer in conferences and seminars. The purpose is to supply SME with actual knowledge of management and technology.

• Service: Advice and support of cooperation and knowledge transfer between science, partner companies and SME.