1. 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.

2. 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

3. 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 SMEs in the period 2012 – 2014) registered high growth rate with increases of their turnover of over 20% over a financial year % became large companies in 2014.”
( )
 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. (

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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 –
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

7. 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

8. Contact Consorțiul Ro-Boost SMEs
Agenția pentru Dezvoltare Regională Vest
Str. Proclamația de la Timișoara nr. 5
Timișoara, , România,
Tel: , Fax:
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