1. Business and Innovation Center (BIC) – a European model for support and development of the Entrepreneurship and Incubation Uwe Hoppe C.E.O. BIC Frankfurt (Oder) GmbH Board Director EBN Prof. Dr. Mitko Gospodinov C.E.O. BIC Central Northern Bulgaria European Day of the entrepreneur Oktober 8-9, 2003

2. What is a Business & Innovation Centre (BIC)? Support organisation for innovative SMEs & new enterprises Created by public/private partnerships of principal regional economic operators to offer a range of integrated services & support to innovative projects A successful European Commission Regional Policy pilot project that is a self-sufficient and efficient tool for regional development An instrument specific in its mission & integral to overall regional development strategies

3. BIC services to entrepreneurs: Evaluation/selection of innovative projects Business planning Financial management Access to financing Training/ development of management skills Technological assistance and technology transfer

4. BIC services to entrepreneurs: Marketing advice and assistance Internationalisation and trans-national co-operation Inter-enterprise co-operation Accommodation of enterprises, shared logistical services Assistance beyond start up

5. BIC services to public authorities: Stimulating enterprise & innovation culture Detection of innovative projects and project initiators Analysis of requirements of SMEs inclined to innovation

6. BIC services to public authorities: Catalyst/ Mediation between the supply and the demand of services for SMEs Promotion and implementation of local development projects Expertise in wide range of EU programmes aimed at SMEs