| Learn more about this specific CBC activity: |   |
| Learn more about other CBC activities in the same field: |  |
| What was the identified solution? | GNP-EGTC has organized a series of annual seminars regarding the promotion and funding of cross-border enterprise initiatives. In these seminars the following issues are addressed:
– Expert and academic analyses of cross-border business cooperation, on the role of entrepreneurs and how to help them to overcome problems, the the work of business incubators, etc. – Increased dissemination of information in Spain and Portugal and promotion of the enterprise culture by presenting cases of entrepreneurial success as well as funding opportunities. – Networking activities for funding, establishing contacts between investors and entrepreneurs from both sides of the border, aiming to increase the base of potential projects and Business Angels. Networking permits a more efficient method of establishing funding opportunities and reinforces the entrepreneurial cooperation in the Euroregion. Through this initiative, contacts and alliances were established between different Business Angels of Galicia and North-Portugal, successively establishing a network of investors in this Euroregion. |
| How was the solution identified? | In both Galicia and in the Region of North-Portugal various initiatives exist to promote business culture and the creation of companies. In Galicia, for example, there are programs for school or women’s entrepreneurship, in the ICT sector, and a program for mentoring, where experienced executives share advice with young entrepreneurs, together with various lines of funding for entrepreneurs. For example, there is an outstanding program in Portugal called “Initiative + Company (Mais start ups)”, which covers and supports, with funding, the entire initial process of creating a company, from the idea up to the initial development. Another program is the award “Regiostars 2013” which is dedicated to projects at the Science and Technology Park of Oporto University, profitting from the university based knowledge base through the promotion of technological entrepreneurship and the creation of centres for innovation. At the GNP-EGTC we are working to coordinate as many new initiatives as possible, exploiting the added value from the cross-border cooperation between Galicia and North-Portugal, as a way of increasing the efficiency and reaching economies of scale in all of these entrepreneurship programs. |
| Who was/were the main actor/s responsible for its identification? | By means of this work the GNP-EGTC has successfully involved a great number of participants from the Euroregion, including representatives from public institutions; investors and Business Angels, consultants and companies, agents for promotion of enterprises from universities or business incubators and, of course, a great number of entrepreneurs. |
| How was the solution implemented? By whom? | At the GNP-EGTC we are working in order to coordinate as many initiatives as possible, using the added value from cross-border cooperation between Galicia and North-Portugal, as a way of increasing the efficiency and reaching economies of scale in all these entrepreneurship programs. |
| How long did it take for the solution to be implemented? | The seminars and the cross-border cooperation initiative started in 2010 and is still going. |
| Did it have a positive impact on the overall level of CBC in the area? | Yes, but it is quite difficult to measure. |
| Additional information | www.gnpaect.eu |
| Institution | European Grouping for Territorial Cooperation Galicia – Norte Portugal (GNP-EGTC) |
| Contact details | St. Eduardo Cabello s/n (CETMAR building), Bouzas 36208 Vigo (Pontevedra) – SPAIN Telephone:+34986135126 FAX:+34986248613. E-mail: gnpaect@gnpaect.eu |
| Year of record | 2012 |
