NEXPRESSO creates and implements a network for evaluation by researchers of prototype photonics components and systems manufactured by SMEs, at no net cost to either the university or the SME. As a result, students are trained on the next generation of emerging technologies and products as identified by European industries. This training orients students toward advanced technology jobs in Europe, thus helping to develop a highly educated and productive workforce in Europe.SMEs that participate in the NEXPRESSO programme have a new and valuable resource for implementing research and development that is precisely focussed on the products and on the issues that are most relevant to that company's continued growth and success.NEXPRESSO greatly enhances professional mobility, particularly for students and researchers originating in new member countries.NEXPRESSO builds European leadership and competitiveness for SMEs by shortening time-to-market for components addressing new applications, and contributes to broader take-up of advanced photonic technologies by implementing key R&D evaluations that help to enable a prototype to become a product.NEXPRESSO goes beyond the State-of-the-Art created by the ACCORD-programme, which has been a unique project in its kind.