Enterprise Europe Network ASPYRE – pilot for scale-ups in Macro Region 4 Raluca Cibu-Buzac Ro-Boost SMEs Coordinator EEN national Meeting - June 2017 Introduction: explain that what we do – in a nutshell – is to help ambitious SMEs innovate and grow internationally.

Ro-Boost SMEs’ pilot scheme for scale-ups - ASPYRE Enterprise Europe Network – ASPYRE – pilot for scale-ups in Macro Region 4 | Iunie 2017 | 2 Ro-Boost SMEs’ pilot scheme for scale-ups - ASPYRE

RO-Boost SMEs - ASPYRE pilot Enterprise Europe Network – ASPYRE – pilot for scale-ups in Macro Region 4 | Iunie 2017 | 3 RO-Boost SMEs - ASPYRE pilot Romanian context Small Business Act Facts 2016: Early stage entrepreneurial activity 2015; Romania: 10.8 %; EU avg: 7.8 % Established business ownership rate 2015; Romania: 7.5 %; EU avg: 6.7 % Opportunity-driven entrepreneurial activity 2015: Romania: 33.2 %; EU avg: 47.9 % Keysfin study on SMEs performance in Romania: “approx. 23500 SMEs in the period 2012 – 2014) registered high growth rate with increases of their turnover of over 20% over a financial year. 6 % became large companies in 2014.” (http://www.keysfin.com//UC/MediaLibrary/Handlers/ViewDocument.ashx?imageDB=true&tbNail=0&imageType=image&imageID=9803&imageName=&cultureId=3 )  Ernst & Young 2016 Entrepreneurship barometer in Romania  61 % of experienced entrepreneurs - the most important source of information which helps them grow their business is networking and mentorship 60% of experienced entrepreneurs - business failure is condemned / penalized by society Experienced entrepreneurs’ perception regarding difficulty in accessing finance (all types) decreased in the last 3 years from 69% in 2014 to 55% in 2015 and 2016. (http://cursdeguvernare.ro/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/EY_Barometrul-antreprenoriatului-romanesc_2016_sinteza.pdf)

RO-Boost SMEs - ASPYRE pilot Enterprise Europe Network – ASPYRE – pilot for scale-ups in Macro Region 4 | Iunie 2017 | 4 RO-Boost SMEs - ASPYRE pilot OBJECTIVE Develop and deploy a pilot support scheme of tailored and in-depth services to ambitious young SMEs active in high value added niches and proven business models in order to enable and accelerate their scaling. Specifically the aim is to Establish dedicated support in the shift from start-up to scale up, addressing challenges specific to scaling phase Consolidate the business ecosystem Enable new business opportunities generated by successful scalers, such as acquisition and mergers, birth of new entrepreneurial initiatives, sourcing of new ventures etc.

RO-Boost SMEs - ASPYRE pilot Enterprise Europe Network – ASPYRE – pilot for scale-ups in Macro Region 4 | Iunie 2017 | 5 RO-Boost SMEs - ASPYRE pilot Gaps identified among SMEs : Insufficient consideration given to approaches toward growth such as expansion of business from based an opportunity, rather than linear expansion driven Need for improved managerial / leadership skills to effectively manage change by mobilizing talent and acquiring skilled professionals, involving staff in a greater manner in processes of customer value creation through user experience and segmentation Insufficient knowledge about private sources of finance (venture capital, business angels, equity and seed funds / insufficient access to networks of investors and associated exit strategies) Difficulties in establishing cooperation with large firms and corporates Need for improvement in preparing for acquiring financing Need for better understanding of acquisition methods for fast growing Need for greater links with incubators, accelerators, competitions, RDI facilities

RO-Boost SMEs - ASPYRE pilot Enterprise Europe Network – ASPYRE – pilot for scale-ups in Macro Region 4 | Iunie 2017 | 6 RO-Boost SMEs - ASPYRE pilot Project implementation: 1st July 2017 – 31.12.2018 Actions: Develop methodology for recruitment & selection of most suitable SMEs Enable formation of stakeholder group dedicated to scale-ups Capacity Buidling: One-to-One Coaching - 2 senior EEN experts from West RDA Organization of 2 trainings (external renowned trainers) on: business scale-up process finance acquiring vs exit strategies Local external mentor will be brought to enable access to experience in: Means to address the skilled workforce gap Help increase networking capacities Acquiring necessary skills for internationalization EEN service provision and synergies with other EEN actions

RO-Boost SMEs - ASPYRE pilot Enterprise Europe Network – ASPYRE – pilot for scale-ups in Macro Region 4 | Iunie 2017 | 7 RO-Boost SMEs - ASPYRE pilot Targeted Sectors Automotive Manufacturing Information and Communication technologies Commerce Food Industry Outcome: Scalable methodology for scale-ups support scheme 3 SMEs supported throughout the entire scaling process At least 1 success story during project’s life cycle

Contact Consorțiul Ro-Boost SMEs Agenția pentru Dezvoltare Regională Vest Str. Proclamația de la Timișoara nr. 5 Timișoara, 300054, România, Tel: +40 256 491 981, Fax: +40 256 491 923 Email: office-een@adrvest.ro Visit to find the Network near you Follow us at www.eenroboost.ro