Fields of expertise: Sustainable and Integrated Development, Innovative Economy Ecosystem, Enterprises and SMEs
Source of Funding: Europe Union
Project Timeframe: 2018-2020

Priority Axis 2: Boosting the local economy

Specific Objective: 2.2 Improve cross-border capacity to support entrepreneurship, business survival

The overall objective of the INECO project is to address a broader innovative ecosystem in the cross-border area, by creating two pre-incubating structures, in order to encourage new entrepreneurs and teams to prepare and test their business ideas under real conditions before taking business risk. The project area in the Greek-Albanian frontier is characterized by predominantly small and micro enterprises with poor performance in clustering, technological development, and innovation. However, a growing pool of highly-educated university graduates, coupled with potential for incorporation of innovation into productive processes within a fledgling Startup Scene and momentum, has given rise to an entrepreneurial spirit throughout the area.

INECO will develop two co-working spaces and support services to teams of people with innovative ideas, helping them mature towards their integration with the business world.

The Project’s idea: Address a broader innovative ecosystem in the cross-border area, by creating two pre-incubating supporting mechanisms, in order to encourage new entrepreneurs and teams to prepare and test their business ideas under real conditions before taking business risks

Challenges to be addressed: The project area is characterized by predominantly small and micro enterprises with poor performance in clustering, technological development and innovation, weak and vulnerable productive structure, and limited competitiveness in international markets.

Project Approach – New Solutions: Creating new two pre-incubators. In contrast to a common business incubator, the pre-incubator supports only entrepreneurial projects and not already registered enterprises. In these new facilities, potential entrepreneurs will be enabled to test the marketability of their products. The pre-incubator will provide the entrepreneur with assistance and key knowledge on how to run a company.

Aim of the project

• The development of a pre-incubation strategy in the CB area
• The formulation of Business Plans and prototype development for potential entrepreneurs
• The development of a Business Pre-incubating Acceleration Tool and Virtual Platform
• The installation and equipment of two pre-incubation structured mechanisms.
• The consultation with key stakeholders, policy recommendation, and capitalization.
• The development of a holistic pre-incubating support program involving training, coaching, mentoring, and laboratory activities.