examples in start-up activities initiatives collected Business Academy South West Denmark VET4Start-Up Erasmus+ KA2 Strategic Partnership VET Project Project no. 2014-1-IT01-KA202-002487 CUP G36G14000530006
Introduction In the wake of the economic and financial crisis, the European Union has taken significant steps to fight rising levels of unemployment and return to economic growth. The European Commission (ref. A Budget for Europe 2020) proposed to increase the amounts allocated to innovation and SME development through the stimulation and support to new entrepreneurs. In effect, a Start-up activity is difficult, there is high risk and more than 50% of new businesses fail within the first 5 years. A strong and well-performing Vocational and Educational Training can help deal with the challenge required by start-uppers in a really competitive economy coming out from the global recession. This need was identified during several projects the partners were involved in: in the field of VET, where there is a lack of anticipation of skill requirements and formative routes for new entrepreneurs. VET4Start-Up seeks to address the problem by a pan-european strategic partnership that will encourage the spirit of entrepreneurship. OUTPUTS, RESULTS AND PRODUCTS The project aims to educate and train anyone interested in start-up thanks to an e-learning platform MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) and other useful and tailored materials and resources. VET4Start-UP will seek to improve the level of key competences and skills needed by new entrepreneurs through Vocational and Educational Training. The project aims to: Research and in-depth analyse from across Europe successful GOOD PRACTICE examples about start-up activities; Promote the development, testing and implementation of INNOVATIVE PRACTICES/METHODOLOGIES in VET such as MOOC (Massive Open Online Course), interactive presentations, workshops, creative problem solving guide exercises and simulations; Create the profile of an EUROPEAN START-UP ADVISERS thanks to an intensive training and support based on ECVET system and then recognised and validated by a specific Memorandum of Understanding; Create a WEBSITE with a DATABASE OF MATERIALS TRANSLATED into all partners National languages to promote and encourage an extensive exploitation of results; Encourage entrepreneurship (including social entrepreneurship) creating an e-learning Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) FOR START-UPPERS with animated videos in 3 modules both practical and theoretical about mind-set and skills necessary, design of the new enterprise, risks, challenges and opportunities including acceleration and incubation methodologies, creative problem 1 good practice examples project VET4Startup
solving technology, testing and simulation games the MOOC is going to be tested and improved during 7-day intensive sessions called Joint Staff Training Event an APP for mobile device is going to be released in order to ensure the accessibility in innovative way ; Disseminate the project outputs and results throughout Europe with a DATABASE OF MATERIALS AND EBOOKS available through open licences (ref. Creative Commons) and through a series of MULTIPLIER EVENTS organised in each partner s country in order to present in 1-day seminar the project intellectual outputs. IMPACT ENVISAGED The partnership will bring together a large group of partners and stakeholders both public and private with the synergic power to reach a very large and diverse audience of new entrepreneurs and their advisers. The partnership will stimulate and support successful entrepreneurship and has the potential to improve economic growth. The project activities will be focused on the recognition and validation of knowledge, skills and competences acquired through VET, assessing and creating a profile of EUROPEAN START-UP ADVISERS in line with ECVET system. In fact, the Partnership will formalise a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in order that the pathway created by credit transfer and accumulation will be used by a large number of advisers trained to teach and transfer in own country the project results and outcomes. The project is completely in line with the European Policy Priorities: Europe 2020 strategy, ET 2020, ICT and OER, Multilingualism and VET. More info available at: www.vet4startup.eu 2 good practice examples project VET4Startup
Document background The document contains the result of the Good practice (GP) research under the project lifetime. The research about good practice examples is integrated with a Preliminary research about available tools, websites and activities that encourage start-up activities present and available in each partner own country and also in the rest of Europe. It is composed by 5 examples from each partner. CRITERIA used to select GPs: - Innovative - Realistic Implementation - Impact assessment - Transferability in another context/country - Viability/Self-sufficiency - capable of normal growth and development 3 good practice examples project VET4Startup
Preliminary research The results of this preliminary research is composed by a selection of the criteria used to select good practice and on the possibility to include in the selection not only examples about start-up activities but also innovation in companies/schemes that help businesses to start up. The criteria selected are: - Innovation - essential element in startup activities - Realistic implementation effective and successful practices - Impact assessment considerable impact on startup enterprises and on the background but also good practice examples that could be followed by others In addition to those criteria, we ve selected other 2 elements not mandatory but that could be considered especially in the selection of the best practices: - Transferability in another context/country - Viability/Self-sufficiency capability of normal growth and development 4 good practice examples project VET4Startup
Good practice #1 Micro Grants Sector: Sector: How it works The Danish Foundation for Entrepreneurship - Young Enterprise supports students with good ideas in order to promote entrepreneurship as a career path. Therefore, in cooperation with Innovation Fund Denmark we offer a series of micro-grants. All students enrolled at an upper secondary education or higher education institution in Denmark can apply for a Micro Grant. In order to apply you must have a good idea. This idea may be at the idea stage or perhaps you have already acquired a CVR number and thus have a turnover of less than DKK 50,000. Two types of grants are supported: Micro Grant for students with an idea in the early stage. Here you can apply for a grant between 10,000-25,000 DKK to cover the earliest costs in your business start-up. Micro Grant for students who have just acquired a Company Number (CVR). Here you can apply for a grant between 35,000-50,000 DKK in order for your business to mature and achieve growth capital. NB: This Micro Grant requires 25% of the amount in self-co-financing. All Who: Young Enterprise What : Micro grants Where: national Links: http://eng.ffeye.dk/funds/microgrant/about-micro-grant The grant should be used for covering the needs of your business. It can be a mixture of paid services, counselling and products. Here is a list of things that a micro grant may cover: Prototyping Market Research Pilot tests - eg. Equipment rental or purchase of reagents Consultations, advice and mentoring Programming 5 good practice examples project VET4Startup
Photos, pictures, logos Logo Photo description 6 good practice examples project VET4Startup
Photo description Good practice #2 Udviklingvejen Sector: Sector: All Who: How it works The purpose of UdviklingVejen is through a professional business services to support entrepreneurship, development and growth at local level, here Vejen Municipality. UdviklingVejen identifies, seeks out, guide and support entrepreneurs with potential growth. Efforts prioritized in relation to entrepreneurs who themselves prioritize development and have the potential for growth. UdviklingVejen offers free and impartial advice and coaching for entrepreneurs. The starting point is the individual entrepreneur business page and current situation. Experienced business consultants supervisor in relation to business plan, sales and marketing, networking, budgets and financing. There is continuous monitoring of the startup companies to ensure a high survival rate. Udviklingvejen What : All Where: Regional Links: http://www.udviklingvej en.dk Entrepreneurs have the opportunity to rent space in the office community, a shared office environment where UdviklingVejen makes service staff available so entrepreneurs have time to develop their business. There is a reception where guest are received, telephone, mail, package receipt etc. is handled. Up and down scaling of either more or fewer square meters, free parking places, building maintenance, snow removal, technical assistance and kitchen facilities ensure a professional and well-functioning everyday for entrepreneurs. 7 good practice examples project VET4Startup
Photos, pictures, logos Logo Office Community Conference room 8 good practice examples project VET4Startup
Good practice #3 LaunchPad Denmark How it works LaunchPad Denmark is an initiative created by the Danish Government - the Ministry of Business and Growth - to attract talented entrepreneurs with world class business ideas to Denmark. The goal is to attract high-growth startups from all over the world and accelerate their businesses in Denmark using it as a platform to go global. The aim of LaunchPad Denmark is to exploit Denmark's leading position among the European countries when it comes to having the most business-friendly regulation (World Bank, 2012) and together with our world class expertise within leading Danish business clusters, Denmark is able to offer unique opportunities for foreign entrepreneurs who want to boost their businesses Sector: Sector: All Who: LaunchPad Denmark What : Growth Program Where: National Links: http://launchpaddenmar k.com If you are accepted into this program you will receive a Young Entrepreneur Scholarship put together of different elements which will help you to growth your business and bring your product quickly and efficiently to the market. A team of professionals will work together with you throughout a period of 12 months providing all the ingredients for a successful company development. More specifically the program includes: Startup Capital and Funding Two Investor Days where you get the chance to showcase your business to potential investors from Danish Venture Capital and Private Equity Association. Founders Pack Access to software licences, servers and tools worth +15.000 USD from Microsoft BizSpark in order to secure 9 good practice examples project VET4Startup
your business a smooth start. Also, 1 year membership of DI - Confederation of Danish Industry's Entrepreneur Scheme which among other things offers legal support and advise. Cash prize Coming to Denmark you will have your airfare refunded and receive a cash prize off 8000 USD to support your stay here. Boot camps More than 50 hours of intensive business training on five boot camps where international and experienced trainers take on the latest trends and provide useful tools. Workshops Participation in different workshops where you will receive training and be involved in exchange of best practice on relevant subjects. A Personal Mentor Access to a personal mentor with experience form your specific business. The mentor will follow and assist you in the development of your business throughout the accelerator program. Hands-on Resources Daily access to our experienced coaches and professional staff that will provide ongoing coaching and assistance to your business development Access to Networks and Business Clusters Access to the vigorous Danish entrepreneur environment and our extensive networks of business clusters, potential customers and business partners and experts. Media Exposure Access to expose you and your business in different kinds of media such as TV, news papers, magazines, social media etc. Help Settling In Assistance in applying for work and residence permit to operate an independent company in Denmark; help finding a place to live, and a suitable office space in an interesting work environment. Social Events Participation in different kinds of social network activities and outings for you to get to know both Denmark and the people here. 10 good practice examples project VET4Startup
Photos, pictures, logos Logo Special program for talents Photo description 11 good practice examples project VET4Startup
Good practice #4 Next Step Challenge How it works The ambition is to create an international living lab for businesses working with next-generation energy and digital products and services that utilise the unique qualities of the region s smart power grid and fibre broadband. Next Step Challenge offers ambitious startups the chance to become part of perhaps the most intensive accelerator programme. With a main prize of 250.000 in seed financing, Next Step Challenge could open a whole new world of opportunities for your startup company. But just being part of the Challenge programme is guaranteed to benefit startups that take part. Sector: Sector: ICT Who: Next Step City What : Digitalisation and intelligent energy Where: National Links: http://nextstepcity.com The Challenge lasts five months and consists of an individually designed development programme worth more than 100.000. The objective of Next Step Challenge is to attract innovative startups with entrepreneur spirit, business courage and a winning attitude to Next Step City. They are looking for businesses who can really make use of the opportunities the unique digital infrastructure we have to offer startups within solutions for digitalisation and intelligent energy solutions. If a startup qualifies for Next Step Challenge it becomes part of a five month business accelerator and development programme. Content: Two months preparation at home and three months on site in Next Step City. 12 good practice examples project VET4Startup
30.000 in seed financing when you relocate to Next Step City. Mentoring by business experts from leading Danish and international companies. + 200 hours personal business training from experienced coaches. Access to one of the world s most advanced digital infrastructures and to the living test lab in the Region of Southern Denmark. Free office space in Next Step City and free housing in the region during relocation. Rich opportunity to qualify for further financing from seed funds. 13 good practice examples project VET4Startup
Photos, pictures, logos Logo Esbjerg Habour Challenge 14 good practice examples project VET4Startup
Good practice #5 Go Grow Sector: All How it works Go Grow is an accelerator at Copenhagen School of Entrepreneurship, at Copenhagen Business School. The aim is to enable focused startups to reach international growth. The programme is designed to help business thrive and suited for international growth through 6 months of collaboration with personal mentors, experts, CSE staff and other startups. Start ups will attend monthly workshop sessions, take part in facilitated group works, go abroad to a targeted market and get a unique chance to continuously exchange ideas with a broader forum Throughout the whole programme, CSE will provide workspace to ensure a dynamic working environment. Who: Copenhagen School of Entrepreneurchip What : All Where: National Links: http://go-grow.dk Go Grow is open to startups from all sectors and markets. The programme is open to student entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs who are not in university. However, to be accepted in the programme, the startups has to have potential for international growth. Content: 3-day Bootcamp 4 x 1 Workshops 4 X Fire Talks Pitchtraining Workshop 3X pitches / Dragon s Dens Demo Day/ Investor pitch Go Grow Graduation 3X CSE Founders Night 15 good practice examples project VET4Startup
Photos, pictures, logos Logo Participants 16 good practice examples project VET4Startup
This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission/National Agencies cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein Good Practice examples in start-up activities initiativesʺ developed under Erasmus+ KA2 Strategic Partnership VET Project VET4Start-Up is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Additionalinfo about the project available at: www.vet4startup.eu 17 good practice examples project VET4Startup