Objectives:
The article aims to identify factors influencing the success of cooperation between small and medium-sized enterprises and research entities. We adopted the implementation of significant international innovations as a measure of success.

Material and methods:
The study included 106 SMEs from the southeastern part of the Wielkopolska province. The first stage of the research involved the quantitative analysis of the impact of collaboration between SMEs and research entities on innovation activity. This analysis utilized nonparametric gamma rank correlation and the chi-square test of independence with Yates' correction. The second stage comprised qualitative case study of five companies that have achieved the best results in implementing innovation. The focus was on examining the factors influenced the success of collaboration efforts.

Results:
The research confirmed the positive relationship between collaboration with research entities and the results of SMEs' innovation activity. Examining selected enterprises allowed us to identify factors contributing to the successful cooperation between SMEs and research entities. These factors include enterprise size and age, R&D activity, technology modernity, internationalization, obtaining subsidies from EU funds, informal contacts with research institutions, collaboration with the business environment and use of patent protection.

Conclusions:
The study revealed the collective impact of various factors on implementation of internationally significant innovations that were previously considered individually. The findings indicate a set of factors that should be regarded as cooperation with a research entity to be effective. The work sheds new light on the necessity of a comprehensive approach to shaping the conditions for collaboration between SMEs and research entities.