EXCITE: Entrepreneurs eXchange for Innovations in Europe

ended

Kosice 2013, n.o. with ECBN will lead a partnership of 7 organisations dedicated to the support and growth of creative and cultural industries (CCI), a broad and diverse sector which ranges from advertising and crafts to performing arts and video games. In addition to direct economic value, the cultural and creative industries play a vital role in catalysing innovation across the wider economy, whether through the products and services they provide, or as a means of originating and spreading new ideas, knowledge and ways of working. For too long the focus of these businesses has been on creativity, putting the entrepreneurial aspects of running a company second. With the current shifts in economic tides, this approach is no longer possible. The need to improve entrepreneurial skills is felt by the sector, and promoted by governments. In order to grow, starting businesses need to enhance their business skills, access new and existing networks in order to improve business knowledge and sales and – most crucially - access international markets. The partnership plans to meet this need by matching 59 new entrepreneurs (NE) with 59 experienced host entrepreneurs (HE) to enable NEs to learn business skills from HEs, access European markets open to HEs and enable host entrepreneurs to market NEs' inventive products. Matching young starters and experienced companies provides a solution to the challenges these businesses face. This is exactly what “Entrepreneurs eXchange for Innovations in Europe: EXCITE” envisages, and why the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs (EYE) program fits the cultural and creative sector unlike any other. The matches will provide new entrepreneurs with business knowledge and market access, supplied by the experienced companies. Knowledge will be backed with support by projects partners according to their existing business support activities and facilities.