Biz4EYE (Extract) Marika Mazzi Boém 1, Giuseppe Laquidara 1 Keywords: Entrepreneurship, Erasmus, EYE, Training, On-the-job, Business, Networks, SMEs, Competitiveness, Exchange. Submitted to: European Commission COSME Call: COS-EYE-2014-4-05 Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs Topic: COSME-2014-4.1 Type of action: COSME-GAE Aug. 2014 SEP-210194257 Granted. Abstract. Basing on the Erasmus for Entrepreneurs Programme overall objectives to facilitate young entrepreneurs access to on-the- job transnational training, to enhance entrepreneurship culture and encourage cross-border training in Europe, Biz4EYE project will promote entrepreneurship to allow young entrepreneurs to practice business in real scenario, supporting them in the creation and development of their companies. The main goal of the Biz4EYE project is to further implement the EYE programme locally, thus broadening the existing network of Intermediary Organizations and offering potential business opportunities both to new entrepreneurs as well as to experienced ones. The specific objectives will be to promote the project on a national/regional/local level, stimulating engagement and participation, recruiting potential applicants and assisting them during before/duringafter the mobility period. The project will be addressed to young entrepreneurs who are firmly convinced to start a business (providing a substantiated Business Plan) or are in the business for less than 3 years but in the need to grow; and to successful entrepreneurs in the business for at least 3 years. Though the EYE programme is open to everyone active in different market sectors, Biz4EYE project will focus in particular on creative enterprises, considered a powerful engine for the economic development of the EU market. Biz4EYE project actions will focus on enhancing and stimulating entrepreneurship locally; facilitating international outlook; increasing the competitiveness of the participant countries entrepreneurs (I, PT, LV, PL, FI) within the creative and cultural market sector.
1. Concept and objectives Basing on the EYE overall objectives to facilitate young entrepreneurs access to on-the-job transnational training, to enhance entrepreneurship culture and encourage cross-border train in Europe, Biz4EYE project will aim to promote entrepreneurship and to allow young entrepreneurs to practice business in real scenario. e main goal of Biz4EYE project is to implement the EYE programme locally, thus broadening the existing network of Intermediary Organisations and offering potential business opportunities both to new entrepreneurs as well as to experienced ones. Specific objectives will be to promote the project on a national/regional/local level, stimulating engagement and participation, recruiting potential applicants and assisting them during-before/ during-a er the mobility period. e project will address young entrepreneurs who are firmly convinced to start a business (supported by a substantiated Business Plan) or who are in the business for less than 3 years; and to successful entrepreneurs in the business for at leat 3 years. ough the EYE programme is open to everyone active in different market sector, Biz4EYE project will focus in particular on creative enterprises, considered a powerful engine for the economic development of the EU market. Biz4EYE project will promote entrepreneurship locally; facilitate international outlook; increase the competitiveness of the participant countries entrepreneurs (I, PT, LV, PL, FI) within the creative and cultural market sector (namely design, media, advertising, fashion or cultural and creative management which can also have direct applications in ICT, textile or tourism). Target groups will be represented by new entrepreneurs (NEs) and host entrepreneurs (HEs) preferably active in the above-mentioned fields. e action (24) will comprise a mobility period for NEs (4M), where the participants could benefit from: 1. improvement of NEs managerial skills thanks to the direct contact and mentoring of experienced entrepreneurs (HEs), in particular in the project and financial management; on-thejob training for NEs who will contribute to concrete business projects run by experienced HEs; 2. benefits from new fresh ideas and contributions by young entrepreneurs; 3. an internationalization multiplier effect, broadening NEs and HEs network; a facilitate access to new markets, thus increasing opportunities to growth. 2. Target group/audience Considering the area of expertise of the participant partners, the Biz4Eye project s target audience is in particular represented by NEs and HEs belonging to the creative and cultural market sector, showing with great potentials in EU. Biz4EYE project will be addressed to two target groups: 1. New Entrepreneurs (really committed to start a business or running it for 3 years max); 2. Host Entrepreneurs active in the above-mentioned fields for at least 3 years. Target Group 1: New Entrepreneurs: In today's global environment, the successful creation and transfer of knowledge is an increasingly fundamental element for businesses pursuing real competitive advantage. Today young entrepreneurs in Europe suffer from lack of opportunities: the actual economic crisis is acting as a stimulus to start own businesses, but at the same time this also represents a barrier as it is getting more and more hard to find affordable work spaces and people available to invest in the project idea. Lack of funding is at the forefront, but also lack of knowledge is preventing the young entrepreneurs from
success. Most of them, in fact, have strong technical skills, but lack in project and financial management, or in internal market rules or employment. is is particularly true for entrepreneurs from the creative and cultural field, who usually have strong technical skills related to their field, but are in the need to bridge the gap in managerial, economic, financial ones. ese skills can be assumed only from real scenario experiences, learning from professionals who are willing to exchange their knowledge, allowing the young entrepreneurs to acquire skills by real business projects applications. e Biz4EYE project will put in place different and integrated actions to involve at least 250 nascent entrepreneurs (50) and to provide them with concrete opportunities to develop their business and to improve their managerial skills. Target Group 2: Host Entrepreneurs: e total amount of Host Entrepreneurs benefiting from the action will be at least 100 (50 effectively enrolled). is target group is actually the most crucial to involve into the programme, as HEs are experienced and successful professionals with a strong commitment to their business (so not so much time to dedicate to other tasks). erefore and in order to fully maximise the experience of the New Entrepreneurs and their immersion in a real business scenario experience, a very careful selection for the Host Entrepreneurs will be put in place (additionally to the verification of formal eligibility conditions). Naturally, the partnership will target those belonging to the Cultural and Creative Industries and having a consolidated experience as business managers within an SME (particularly owners). Moreover the partnership will be very careful to ensure the project will engage HEs from a wide range of sub-sectors of the Cultural and Creative Industries so that a full spectrum is available. Such variety provides the opportunity for match-making within the same sub-sector or different sub-sectors if complementary to the HE business project and objectives. Also of critical importance is the enrolment of HE that are fully motivated to receive NE in a open, transparent and trustworthy way. Only this way it s possible to implement a fruitful collaboration between the NE and the HE - at the end the partnership must be beneficial for both. Biz4EYE project could ensure a direct access to 250 potential new entrepreneurs from the education institutions, business incubators, etc. who planning starting their business in CCI and IT sectors and it is our aim to target the new entrepreneurs among these recruiting a minimum of 50 most talented new entrepreneurs. As regard HEs, e Consortium will target 100 host entrepreneurs, estimating that a number of 50 host entrepreneurs will be involved in a successful relationship recruited from our CCI networks, e.g.: business-incubators, start-up centres and our business networks. 3. Description of work methodology and tools To achieve the objective set out by the EYE programme, the Biz4EYE project will develop a Work Methodology and decision making structure aligning to the EYE programme structure and existing mechanism, thus around the following activities: 1. Promoting the program: Starting from the EYE available information material, partners will study engaging promotional activities highlighting the participants the importance of living
business experiences in a real scenario. Social media will be at the forefront of the communication: extensive use of Twitter, YouTube/Vimeo, LinkedIn, Facebook, will be put in place by the Consortium given the fact that young entrepreneurs and business are addicted to social media and this can contribute to the word of mouth of the action. Furthermore other relevant communication and promotional tools will be adopted such as email alert campaigns, printed material as flyers, posters and handouts. Great relevance will be given to information events to inform the participant about the project and provide info about it (targeted to both NEs and HEs). e project website will be immediately linked to the EYE one and used as added dissemination media. 2. Enrolling the entrepreneurs: Applicants will be selected upon basic requirements, such as accreditation elements, CVs, language proficiency, work&business experience, personal motivations, entrepreneurial track-record, commitments, sectors of interest, geo-references. For NEs, the presence of a substantiated business plan will be mandatory to access the programme. Speed-dating events will be organised in order to check the NEs requirements and to allow NEs and HEs to know each other in an engaging competitions. 3. Applications: assessment phase: once NEs and HEs have shown their interest in participating the programme, an evaluation check list will be developed in order to check that all the requirements are met: language abilities, expected duration of the exchange, market/sector of activity, preferred countries, skills and expertise. e IOs will provide support and assistance to the applicants for finalising their application, in particular to HEs. Corrective measures will be set up to prevent from lack of HEs application or in case of a new relationship is suddenly closed. IOs will ensure an ongoing monitoring of the incoming applications from HEs and NEs in order to react in time when a new registration is notified. 4. Building relationships: Regular monitoring of any incoming relationships in need of approval will be undertaken in order to promptly react: the aim is to facilitate the matchmaking so that, when one potential relationship is detected, the process of screening can start, including the scheduling of direct contacts between the two profiles matched (Skype or other services) and to validate the mutual interest. e entire process towards the approval will last 2 months au max. 5. Management of grant agreements, commitments, financial assistance: once confirmed is received, all parties involved must agree on a EYE Commitment: the dra will define the objectives of the exchange and mutual responsibilities, duration of the stay, while financial assistance will be carefully indicated so that the NE could be aware of the proceedings. NEs and HEs will be also encouraged to sign agreements on crucial topics such as confidentiality, IPR management, NDA in order to protect reserved info. 6. Preparation of the exchange: Staying abroad could be challenging, so the IOs/HIOs will produce a Welcome Pack to provide the NEs with the basic info to enjoy their stay. Before leaving, pre- departure induction courses will be organised to inform the participant about relevant topics such as the financial and administrative rules of the programme, duties and responsibilities, local knowledge about the hosting country internal market or EU law issues. If possible, HEs will be invited to join the courses, if not available a conference-call will be scheduled to inform the HEs about the proceedings. Any amendment request will be recorded and written justifications will always have to be provided to the IOs.
7. Follow up of the exchange (WP4): HIOs will act as local contact point for the hosted NEs during their mobility period: during the stay, the HIO will be in charge to provide local assistance, monitoring the relationship (phone interviews to NE and HE). To make the NE and HE familiar one to each other and also to the HIO s team, a meeting will be celebrated at the beginning of the exchange, giving instruction to the parties also as regard the necessity from their side to fill in an interim activity report to be delivered to the IOs, who will periodically stay in touch with the NE to check how the relation is improving. e exchange will be evaluated in progress and at the end of the exchange to confirm its successful completion, taking in strong consideration the evaluation criteria set by the programme. In order to encourage other potential entrepreneurs to join the programme, NIOs will stimulate NEs to share their experience on the IT tool. 8. Management, quality control and evaluation: e activities will include the management of the relationships, assistance and support to both in case of need or conflicts arising, evaluation of the completion of all duties and responsibility achieved by the two parties. Networking activities will be put in place to engage the participants in sharing information, good cases and practices: the Alumni Network will play a relevant role in the process. Reporting will be undertaken carefully to ensure a smooth monitoring and evaluation process: six-monthly reports will be delivered to highlight obstacles/challenges during the stay and related corrective measures, including promotional activities undertaken; receipts and time sheets will be collected; a final implementation report will be delivered as well as financial statement/s; Network Meetings minutes will be produced. To assure a strong evaluation of the activities, a uality Committee will be in charge to supervise the partners tasks and to validate the overall quality of the procedures. 4. Performance indicators / Expected impact e objectives of Biz4EYE project are the following: to improve the managerial skills of the NEs thanks to the direct contact and mentoring of experienced entrepreneurs, in particular in the field of business modelling and planning; to provide on-the-job training to NEs thus directly contributing to concrete business projects run by experienced HEs; to stimulate new fresh ideas and contributions from young entrepreneurs, providing support in particular for piloting and testing new business concepts/products/services; to facilitate an internationalization effect, broadening their network of relationships as well as easier access to new markets, thus increasing opportunities to growth. Starting from these objectives, the project intends to impact positively on the selected target groups as the mixing of new/aspiring as well as experienced entrepreneurs is likely to undertake higher levels of entrepreneurship among final beneficiaries. e demonstration effects of the on the job training is expected to derive in inspirational capacities on the beneficiaries (both NEs and HEs), thus facilitating a successful development of their business ideas and starting of their company. At the same time, the actions put in place by the project and the mobility period will enable new entrepreneurs to be placed in innovative SMEs belonging to the same market field where the NEs are willing to start their business, allowing them to broaden their skills, knowledge
and perspectives. As a result of the sharing knowledge (technical skills from one side and managerial skills from the other), business potentials will be unlocked, facilitating the sharing of contacts, expertise and opening up new market opportunities (internationalization). e expected impact of the projects at programme level can be summarised as follows: 1. Short-medium term: 1.1. at least 100 entrepreneurs registered for the programme; 1.2. 50 NEs and HEs achieving a successful relationship; 1.3. 6 IOs active in the implementation of the programme and 1.4. at least 2 local existing IOs cooperating on a local level with the new established local IOs during the project duration; 1.5. 5 countries covered by the action; 1.6. increased level of satisfaction of the participants 2. Long term: 2.1. at least 5 resulting joint projects/cooperation agreements successfully closed; 2.2. at least 20 new startups created as a direct result of the action; 2.3. at least 60 jobs created as direct result of the 20 new startups created. 5. Multiplier effects e project intends to replicate and extend its outcomes including a er care services that will be provided to the entrepreneurs a er a successful matching, including a set of services, namely: 1. providing support and advice on improvement of a business plan a er the Erasmus stay that will be helpful, for instance, to support capital raising and applications to grants and entrepreneurial funding; 2. providing working spaces (in the case of partners that have pre-incubation or incubation facilities where the NEs can work and have access to office facilities and services in the sequence of signing specific contracts/agreements with the facilitator); 3. consulting on possible sources of finance, providing mentoring and other forms of advisory support in the case facilitators are providers of this services (accounting, legal, etc.) and giving support on cross-border cooperation between HEs and NEs a er exchange. Services will be provided attracting financial instruments and other EU fund grants to provide services for new entrepreneurs who participated in Biz4EYE project. Post-stay scheme will be implemented by the Biz4EYE partnership for a period of 4 months a er the exchanges, in order for NEs to develop their own business plans, to improve a stronger partnership with the HEs, focusing on deepening collaboration agreements and development of a new set of activities. Combining partnership with the Alumni Association, post-stay services will comprise specific advice on business issues, support concerning other EU financing programmes and mentoring activities, including the organisation in each country of networking events for NEs
having successfully completed their stays as well as for HEs. is strategy is targeted at multiplying the effects of the exchanges between entrepreneurs from Europe as it shall have a benchmarking effect on posterior exchanges and an impacting effect on subsequent activities of entrepreneurs that have already successfully concluded their exchange programmes. A set of possible activities will be development of business plans, synergies and collaboration schemes between the new entrepreneur and the host entrepreneur, searching for additional funding schemes, among others. Analysing results of exchange and cooperation between NEs and HEs, best practices from exchanges and cooperation's will help to provide multiplier effect for Biz4EYE project using real data and practice form project target audience to use analysed data for project result and aiming to improve the project implementation period a er project conclusion. All the consortium partners, who have a long track-record in the business support services both to existing entrepreneurs as well as to the nascent ones, could ensure the provision of the post-stay scheme: [ ] (/Extract)