ICT - SME challenges in the global economy epoch ASTEL Annual Conference ‘Digital Democracy’ May...
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Transcript of ICT - SME challenges in the global economy epoch ASTEL Annual Conference ‘Digital Democracy’ May...
ICT - SME challenges in the global economy epoch
ASTEL Annual Conference ‘Digital Democracy’
May 08th, 2008 Sofia, Bulgaria
Cluster Approach
Private initiative started in 2005 Platform for knowledge transfer and competitiveness
Bulgarian ICT Cluster
Improvement of state ICT polices and practices via PPP Improvement of the ICT market conditions and business capabilities Education, training and workforce development Branding, positioning and promotion
Main Strategic Directions of ICT Cluster Activities
SME: Who they are?
‘……Bulgarian ICT sector today represents more than 5000 companies which employ more than 90000 high skilled specialist…...’
– quotation from Mr. Plamen Vachkov – Chairman of SAICT, speech on CEBIT 2008
BAIT <200 BASSCOM <100 ASTEL <100 SEC <50 WEB association <100 and many others …
Officials: Organizations:
SME: Growth and sustainability?
Global competition Fast changing technologies Work force mobility and
companies culture changes Technologies versus Business Services versus Products
Innovation Effective management
Access to financing Access to qualified and skilled
human resources Access to international
markets Cost effective access to ICT
tools Friendly commercial and legal
framework Low level administrative load Stable legal system
Problems and Opportunities:
Factors and tools:
Innovation Initiatives
Introduction of the National Innovation Fund Support for hiring young specialists in SME Creation of Science / Technology Centers and Parks Optimization of the chain: Science – Technology – Innovation Entrepreneurship education Support for cluster creation and development Increase of FDI in the R&D area / centers Creation of University Centers for Entrepreneurs
Bulgarian National Strategy for Innovation – 2004/2006
SME and Financing
Lack of financial instruments for both Start ups and SME Absence of Business Angels and Venture Capitalists SMEs lack size to be traded on the Bulgarian Stock Exchange Lack of managerial and financial culture among entrepreneurs
Phase A (2007-2008): Creation of a Business Angel Club and preparation of a pipeline of Start ups and SMEs
Phase B (2009): Creation of a Hi-Tech Equity Investment Fund
Current ICT Market Environment
Cluster Fills the Gap: FORENTIN
What is done?
Assarel Invest Oriens Investment Expats and BA
INI Graphics Net, Darmstadt, Germany
CEED – Center for Entrepreneurship and Executive Development, Sofia
BIMT – Intel Technology Entrepreneurship Curriculum
Investment Partners Business Consulting
EOS: Opening international markets for small innovative firms
21 EOS consortium members from: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Finland, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, UK
EON Network: Business Innovation Centres, Hi-Tech Incubators, Science parks and Clusters
More than 30 associate partners More than 28 technology sectors,
including ICT Geography: Europe, Americas, Asia EC is opening SME support office in
Beijing!
SME Globalization?
Soft Landing: support for accommodation, assistance in organising meetings and networking, information service on location.
Networking: Services to connect entrepreneurs with investors, business angels, scientists, universities, clients and partners
Business Boosting: Boosting companies performances with the help of skilled human resources. Mentoring services to help entrepreneurs and business start- ups to obtain the advice, support and stimulation they need to confidently develop their business to local and international markets.
Services: Services:
Who attend the first Sofia IME event?
20 SME from Bulgarian ICT sector ICT Cluster from Croatia 3 institutional investors 1 Business Consulting Entity ExPats 2 EOS associated partners – HTBI
Varna and Gabrovo 1 independent HTBI from Burgas EEN local partners, EBN
Participants:
Bulgarian Telecom Cluster
Phare program: Support for Cluster Development in Bulgaria - Phase II
Project BG 2005/017-586.04.02 Established: March 2008
EcoCoMS Expert Vision Estel Open Integra 2C Trifonov SmartCom Bulgaria Triada Soft
Basics: Members:
Thank You!