CorkBIC

CORKBIC joins prestigious High Tech European Network

Opening international markets for innovative firms

• Looking for a competitive advantage?
• Trying to enter or develop international Markets?
• Need to be located in High Tech environment?
• Don't know how to make the first step?

EurOffice Services (EOS) facilitates access to international markets.

The EON (EurOffice Network) members are Business Innovation Centres, High-Tech Incubators and Science Parks, all committed to providing EurOffice services following a common methology and within a quality and certification scheme.

EOS permits any company or start- up from the EurOffice Network Members to use the EurOffice services at any location within the EurOffice network.

This High Tech network is affiliated with 7 Regions of Excellence, which embrace serious entrepreneurs having developed numerous successful businesses since 2002.

The EURO-OFFICE initiative offers excellent opportunities for networking between the regions of:

• Czech Republic - South Moravia
• Estonia - Tallinn
• Finland - Helsinki
• France - Alpes Maritimes
• France - Lille Metropole
• Germany - Berlin
• Germany - Bremen
• Germany - Munich
• Italy - Torino
• Ireland – Cork
• Sweden - Southern Region
• Sweden - Stockholm
• Switzerland

The offer is especially intended for innovative start-ups and SMEs in leading technologies such as ICT, Biotechnology, Optics, Materials and Microsystems Technology, Media Technology, and more.

Services include:

Office in a business environment with

• Minimum 9 sq m
• One desk and 2 chairs
• Internet access via LAN or Wireless for laptop (PC only, not provided)
• Limited printer access (A4, monochrome)
• Access to a close by conference / negotiation room
• Capacity of 6 persons
• Screen/Video projection from laptop (laptop not provided)

Reservations are mandatory and must be made through the EO Network members.

Facilities will be reserved on a “first reserve – first accepted” basis, depending upon availability.

The EON member offers a mailbox and address, which the foreign company can use for campaigns when entering international markets. The company can visit the EON member and agree directly about the use of EON member services or facilities.

Contact Eileen Moloney, CORKBIC, National Software Centre, Cork, Tel: +353 21 2307008

e-mail: emoloney@corkbic.com
http://www.corkbic.com

ACHIEVE project builds powerful business incubator network across Europe

CORKBIC invited to represent Ireland

The ACHIEVE project is coordinated through the Cambridge University Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning. Peter Hiscocks, is project coordinator and he explains the dilemma of entrepreneurship “Hi-tech start-up companies too often fail at the first fence because of lack of management team skills, finance or market knowledge.

The ACHIEVE project has a toolkit that will be given freely to selected incubators across Europe, to help them support their high growth businesses and get them to the market with products that are both profitable and in high demand.”

Services include:

The incubator network now includes:

Each of these incubators has signed a memorandum with the ACHIEVE project which will give them license free access to the modules for some years. These tools will help to build a system of start-up support, delivering:

• Customer and revenue acquisition through presenting groups of start-ups to major potential customers via ICT trade shows
• Preparation of start-ups so they are ready for appropriate outside investment (private angel investors or venture capitalists)
• Market Analysis and Marketing Strategy building
• Guidance for international partnering and alliance building
• Tested approaches for the incubators to mentoring and coaching their start-ups

 

Walter Herriot, the Director of St John’s Innovation Centre adds “ACHIEVE is very important because it professionalises the process of entrepreneurship incubation. Too often European companies fail because of lack of early stage finance or management skills. ACHIEVE addresses both of these areas of weakness”

The European Investment Fund, a partner in the ACHIEVE project, will also use this chance to determine how it might be able to support the strongest incubators in years to come and to identify potential investment opportunities.

The European Commission’s INNOVA programme seeks to support the exploitation and commercialisation of innovation. ACHIEVE is part of this programme, with over 20 other projects, specialising in different sectors that are key to Europe’s competitiveness.

For further information: Contact Eileen Moloney, CORKBIC, National Software Centre,Mahon, Cork, Tel: +353 21 2307008
e-mail: emoloney@corkbic.com http://www.corkbic.com