Developing accelerators to provide better access to innovation finance for SMEs

Programme 2014 - 2020 INTERREG VB Danube

Date of latest update: 2024-03-22

Description

Description (EN):

Innovative SMEs in all participating regions of ACCELERATOR are hindered by access to equity particularly in their early stage development. Thus ACCELERATOR engages in exploring and piloting the innovative path of acceleration programmes (a new type of investment readiness programme) towards improved business support in the Danube region. ACCELERATOR’S main objective is to enhance access to innovation finance through improving the institutional framework conditions and related policy instruments by developing the practical solution of acceleration services and influencing the concerned strategic framework at partner’s regions and programme level. The primary target group is SMEs in need of capital but lacking skills to acquire it. Secondly we target business support organisations at which new and improved acceleration services will be bedded and we link these organisations through a Danube-region transnational network. Third we concentrate on integrating equity financing institutions in regional innovation ecosystems. Last the integration of the public sector is highly relevant for us due to increasing attention to equity programmes from ESIF sources. Our approach has strong transnational dimension: beyond the transnational network mentioned above, regions with well performing innovation systems and partners with successful acceleration schemes will assist weaker regions or partners with limited experience, in addition joint actions will be triggered. ACCELERATOR results in introduced acceleration programmes at less experienced partners and improved acc. programmes at experienced partners. This embodies ACCELERATOR’s expected change defined as higher number and better acc. services. The partnership actively integrates public bodies to channel joint policy recommendations on facilitating the spread of acceleration services and works out a joint strategy on the promotion of acceleration services and on their integration in ESIF measures in the Danube region.

Achievements (EN):

EMPOWERING INNOVATION: INSIGHTS FROM THE ACCELERATOR PROJECT IN THE REPUBLIC OF SRPSKA - AN INTERVIEW WITH MARICA BERIĆ: The Accelerator programme in the Republic of Srpska is a groundbreaking initiative for nurturing innovative start-ups that has emerged within the ACCELERATOR project, co-financed from the European Union as part of the Danube Transnational Programme. Over the course of its implementation from January 2017 to the end of June 2019, the Development Agency of the Republic of Srpska, in collaboration with 14 partner organizations and institutions from 8 countries in the Danube region, worked to empower inventive start-ups to swiftly transform their ideas into profitable enterprises. We interviewed Marica Berić, the Head of the Strategic Planning Department of the Development Agency of the Republic of Srpska, to learn about the results and outcomes of the ACCELERATOR project in Bosnia and Herzegovina. 1. HOW HAVE THE PROJECT RESULTS BEEN USED? Drawing on the knowledge and experience of other European countries, the Development Agency of the Republic of Srpska, has developed its Accelerator program, encompassing a wide array of support provided to innovative start-ups in the Republic of Srpska in the form of training, advisory support, use of space for work within the business incubator, administrative and technical support for the use of funds from various financing programs, the opportunity to present themselves to potential investors, as well as promotion and international networking. We are extremely satisfied with the interest of individuals who want to start their businesses to participate in Accelerator programme. Start-ups themselves contact us and ask to be included in the Accelerator programme. Through 10 cycles of the Accelerator programme from 2017 until today, we have supported more than 120 start-ups in the Republic of Srpska/Bosnia and Herzegovina. We implement Accelerator programme in partnership with various institutions and organizations throughout the Republic of Srpska. During the 2.5 months that this programme lasts, lecturers and mentors who have entrepreneurial experience and knowledge in certain areas work with our start-ups. Our participants have been satisfied with the knowledge they received, as well as the advisory support, and of course the awards, based on which they successfully started their businesses. They are our best advertisement for this programme. 2. WAS THE PROJECT'S IMPACT ON POLICY MAKING AS EXPECTED? The impact of the implementation of the ACCELERATOR project in the Republic of Srpska/Bosnia and Herzegovina met expectations. The Accelerator programme has become a regular activity of the Development Agency of the Republic of Srpska, which has become a part of the Agency's Work Programme adopted by the Government of the Republic of Srpska. In addition, the implementation of the project had the effect of being included in the strategic documents of the Republic of Srpska, such as the Strategy for the Development of Small and Medium Enterprises of the Republic of Srpska for the period 2021-2027 and the Youth Policy of the Republic of Srpska from 2023 to 2027, which created the preconditions for the establishment of systemic support for innovative start-ups in the Republic of Srpska. 3. HAVE THE PROJECT RESULTS INFLUENCED POLICY DECISIONS OR LED TO ANY CHANGES IN THE FIELD? The fact is that most of these programmes are concentrated in larger cities and the start-ups from smaller areas, especially rural areas, do not have the opportunity to receive this type of support. For this reason, we recognized the need to implement Accelerator programme throughout the Republic of Srpska in cooperation with local communities. What is commendable is the fact that local communities recognize the importance of participating in this program, which is also shown by the allocation of funds to the prize fund for the best business ideas. In addition to local development agencies and local communities, we need to include scientific institutions, universities, government representatives and other organizations that provide support for beginners in business in the Accelerator programme so that we can all work together to create a more favourable environment for opening new businesses in the Republic of Srpska. 4. WAS THERE ANY RESISTANCE OR CHALLENGES IN INCORPORATING THE PROJECT RESULTS INTO THEIR WORK? From the beginning of the implementation of the ACCELERATOR project, we have had no resistance or challenge to include the results of the project in the work of decision-makers. From the very beginning of the implementation of the project, we have had the support of our relevant ministry, the Ministry of Economy and Entrepreneurship, as well as local communities and other institutions and organizations that provide support to beginners in business both at the local and entity level. 5. HOW CAN FUTURE PROJECTS BETTER SUPPORT USE OF THE RESULTS TO DRIVE POSITIVE CHANGE? The implementation of pilot programme and the preparation of action plans for their implementation after the implementation of projects, as well as the preparation of recommendations for decision-makers, certainly lead to the initiation of positive changes in the countries of the Danube region in certain areas.

Website: http://www.interreg-danube.eu/

Expected Results (EN): Intensity of cooperation of key actors in the programme area in order to improve framework for research and innovation (composite indicator)

Expected Outputs (ES): SZTA, DEXIC, DAS, TCS, RARS) and finetuned

Expected Outputs (EN):

ACCELERATOR will result in validated and introduced acceleration programmes at less experienced partners (CTRIA/improved acceleration programmes at more experienced partners (FHJ, TPLJ/IRP, ASIMCOV). This result directly embodies ACCELERATOR’s expected change: higher number and better acceleration services in the partner regions. As a result of the intense co-working of partners and external stakeholders and of the formalised cooperation agreements primarily with equity financing bodies, the project contributes to stronger links among actors in regional innovation ecosystems and to strengthened innovation capacities of the involved partner regions. The project strengthens the following relations: 1) SMEs – accelerators – equity financing bodies; 2) Regional development/innovation agencies – equity financing bodies; 3) Relevant public bodies – equity financing bodies; 4) Relevant public bodies – regional development/innovation agencies.

Thematic information

Institutional cooperation and cooperation networks SME and entrepreneurship

Specific Objective: Improve framework conditions for innovation (short title). Improve the institutional and infrastructural framework conditions and policy instruments for research & innovation to ensure a broader access to knowledge for the development of new technologies and the social dimension of innovation

Thematic Objective: (01) strengthening research, technological development and innovation by:

Investment Priority:

(01b) promoting business investment in R&I, developing links and synergies between enterprises, research and development centres and the higher education sector, in particular promoting investment in product and service development, technology transfer, social innovation, eco-innovation, public service applications, demand stimulation, networking, clusters and open innovation through smart specialisation, and supporting technological and applied research, pilot lines, early product validation actions, advanced manufacturing capabilities and first production, in particular in key enabling technologies and diffusion of general purpose technologies

Partners (10)

Lead Partner: Széchenyi Tőkealap-kezelő Zrt.

Address: Rákóczi út 42, 1072 Budapest, Hungary

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.szta.hu

Total budget: EUR 282 296.50

ERDF budget: EUR 239 952.02

Közép-dunántúli Regionális Innovációs Ügynökség Nonprofit Kft.

Name: Közép-dunántúli Regionális Innovációs Ügynökség Nonprofit Kft.

Address: Seregélyesi út 113, 8000 Székesfehérvár, Hungary

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.kdriu.hu

Total budget: EUR 235 966.75

ERDF budget: EUR 200 571.74

DEX Innovation Centre

Name: DEX Innovation Centre

Address: Rumjancevova 696/3, 46001 Liberec 1, Czech Republic

Legal status: private

Website: http://www.dex-ic.com

Total budget: EUR 221 488.75

ERDF budget: EUR 188 265.44

Asociatia Intreprinderilor Mici si Mijlocii din Covasna

Name: Asociatia Intreprinderilor Mici si Mijlocii din Covasna

Address: Presei Street nr. 4,, 520064 Sfantu Gheorghe, Romania

Legal status: private

Website: http://www.asimcov.ro

Total budget: EUR 214 020.25

ERDF budget: EUR 181 917.21

FH JOANNEUM GESELLSCHAFT M.B.H.

Name: FH JOANNEUM GESELLSCHAFT M.B.H.

Address: Alte Poststrasse 149, 8020 Graz, Austria

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.fh-joanneum.at

Total budget: EUR 198 391.80

ERDF budget: EUR 168 633.03

Republička agencija za razvoj malih i srednjih preduzeća

Name: Republička agencija za razvoj malih i srednjih preduzeća

Address: Save Mrkalja 16, 78 000 Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.rars-msp.org

Total budget: EUR 196 922.50

IPA2 budget: EUR 167 384.12

Tehnološki park Ljubljana d.o.o.

Name: Tehnološki park Ljubljana d.o.o.

Address: Tehnoloski park , 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.tp-lj.si

Total budget: EUR 196 405.12

ERDF budget: EUR 166 944.35

Razvojna agencija Srbije

Name: Razvojna agencija Srbije

Address: Resavska , 13 – 15/IIBelgrade, Serbia

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.ras.gov.rs

Total budget: EUR 170 074.25

IPA2 budget: EUR 144 563.11

Технологичен център София

Name: Технологичен център София

Address: Magnaurska shkola , 11/312BG-1784 Sofia, Bulgaria

Legal status: private

Website (not verified): http://www.technologycenter.bg

Total budget: EUR 130 147.50

ERDF budget: EUR 110 625.38

IRP Inštitut za raziskovanje podjetništva

Name: IRP Inštitut za raziskovanje podjetništva

Address: Ulica škofa Maksimiljana Držečnika 6., 2000 Maribor, Slovenia

Legal status: private

Website: http://www.tovarnapodjemov.org

Total budget: EUR 120 450.00

ERDF budget: EUR 102 382.50

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

Széchenyi Tőkealap-kezelő Zrt.

Developing accelerators to provide better access to innovation finance for SMEs

Partners and Projects info

Central Transdanubian Regional Innovation Agency Nonprofit Ltd.

Developing accelerators to provide better access to innovation finance for SMEs

Partners and Projects info

DEX Innovation Centre

Developing accelerators to provide better access to innovation finance for SMEs

Partners and Projects info

Association of Small- and Medium Size Enterprises of Covasna County ASIMCOV

Developing accelerators to provide better access to innovation finance for SMEs

Partners and Projects info

FH JOANNEUM GESELLSCHAFT M.B.H.

Developing accelerators to provide better access to innovation finance for SMEs

Partners and Projects info

Republic Agency for the Development of Small and Medium Enterprise

Developing accelerators to provide better access to innovation finance for SMEs

Partners and Projects info

Technology Park Ljubljana Ltd.

Developing accelerators to provide better access to innovation finance for SMEs

Partners and Projects info

Development Agency of Serbia

Developing accelerators to provide better access to innovation finance for SMEs

Partners and Projects info

Technology Center Sofia Ltd.

Developing accelerators to provide better access to innovation finance for SMEs

Partners and Projects info

Institute for Entrepreneurship Research

Developing accelerators to provide better access to innovation finance for SMEs

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Developing accelerators to provide better access to innovation finance for SMEs

Project acronym: DTP1-278-1.1 ACCELERATOR

Project start date: 2017-01-01

Project end date: 2019-06-30

Project status: closed

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 1 966 163.42

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 1 671 238.91

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 85.00%

Co-financing sources:

ERDF: Amount, EUR 1 359 291.67.
IPA/IPA II/IPA III: Amount, EUR 311 947.24.

Documents

Documents on this project are listed below, and organised by category. Please note field "Data source", attached to each document. Keep.eu users are free to use these documents as long as they mention the data source and keep.eu.

Reports

Demand Supply Sumreport

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Report

Data source: http://www.interreg-danube.eu/approved-projects/accelerator

Publication date: 2020-01-27

Document date: 2017-11-01

Languages: en

Attachment file: Download

Startup Accelerator Guide

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Report

Data source: http://www.interreg-danube.eu/approved-projects/accelerator

Publication date: 2020-01-27

Document date: 2017-11-01

Languages: en

Attachment file: Download

Policy Framework Summary Report

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Report

Data source: http://www.interreg-danube.eu/approved-projects/accelerator

Publication date: 2020-01-27

Document date: 2017-11-01

Languages: en

Attachment file: Download

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2014 - 2020 INTERREG VB Danube

Last month that data in keep.eu was retrieved from the Programme's website or received from the Programme

2023-09-22

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

155 / 155 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

1 582 / 1 582 (100%)

Notes on the data

Information provided by the Programme. Achievements were retrieved by Interact from the Programme website (http://www.interreg-danube.eu/), or a website directly linked from it, on 2021-10-06, 2023-01-10 and 2024-01-30.

Languages

Contact Form

Developing accelerators to provide better access to innovation finance for SMEs

Description

Thematic information

Partners (10)

Partners map

Summary

Documents

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

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