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EU Creates Entrepreneurship Assistance Network of 600 Organizations, Offices
Transforming as many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as possible into globally competitive firms is a challenge, as most TBED practitioners know. The complexity of combining all of Europe into a single market makes the work even more daunting.
To simplify the process for SMEs in more than 40 countries, the European Commission recently launched a consolidated Enterprise Europe Network. The network consolidates the older Euro Info Centres and the Innovation Relay Centres.
According to promotional materials, assistance services offered by the network include a business partner search within technology and business cooperation databases and access to information on funding opportunities. Network experts will provide “individual on-site visits to companies to assess their needs and a broad range of promotion and information material. Representatives of the network can also help businesses understand EU law, how it applies to their business and how to make the most the internal market and EU programs.”
In addition, the network is intended to help with some of the most pressing needs for innovation and technology-related SMES, such as commercialization, marketing, intellectual property and technology transfer.
Network activities will be conducted by a pool of 4,000-plus experts housed at 600 local contact points. “Most partners in the network are operated by consortia of qualified regional organisations such as chambers of commerce, regional development agencies and university technology centres," the network’s website explains.
More information is available at: http://www.enterprise-europe-network.ec.europa.eu