Which challenges does the project ACCELERATOR target?
Innovative SMEs / startups are hindered by access to equity, particularly in their early stage development. They need capital but lack skills to acquire it. Regional business support organizations need new and/or improved acceleration services linked through a Danube-region transnational network. Equity financing institutions need to be integrated into regional innovation ecosystems. Integration of the public sector is highly relevant too due to increasing attention to equity programmes from ESIF sources.
Which objectives has the project ACCELERATOR?
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. ACCELERATOR´s approach has strong transnational dimension: beyond the transnational network, 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 acceleration programmes at experienced partners. The expected change lies in higher number and better acceleration 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.
What is the duration of the project?
1. 1. 2017 – 30. 6. 2019
Which partners cooperate on ACCELERATOR project?
HUNGARY: Szechenyi Tokealap-kezelo Zrt.
HUNGARY: Central-Transdanubian Regional Innovation Agency Nonprofit Ltd.
ROMANIA: Association of Small- and Medium Size Enterprises of Covasna County ASIMCOV
SLOVENIA: Technology Park Ljubljana Ltd.
SLOVENIA: Institute for Entrepreneurship Research
BULGARIA: Technology Center Sofia Ltd.
CZECH REPUBLIC DEX Innovation Centre
AUSTRIA: Brainplus
SERBIA: Development Agency of Serbia
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA: Republic Agency for the Development of Small and Medium Enterprises
The pilot of the acceleration scheme in the Czech Republic
DEX Innovation Centre is the proud Czech organizer of the acceleration scheme in the Czech Republic. Please find more details on the 3-day bootcamps and 4-weeks acceleration schemes piloted at our STARTUP service description.
Where to find more information about the project?
http://www.interreg-danube.eu/accelerator
Project is co-funded by the European Union funds (ERDF, IPA, ENI)
