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:::Archived:::
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| Id |
787 |
| Year of submission |
2010 |
| 01. Title of the measure |
IkStartSmart - (I will start-smart)
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| 02. Country |
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| 03. Language |
English
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| 04. Contact details |
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| 05. SBA policy area |
Support and advice during the life cycle of a business
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| 06. Source |
SBA implementation in member states
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| 07. Description of the measure |
IkStartSmart supports aspiring entrepreneurs in making an excellent start by offering tailor made support. Up to now almost 1000 starters received the support of a private coach, to do an entrepreneurial skills test, to follow training and to ask (and get replies) on a variety of specific questions. IkStartSmart is also a partner in the Gelderland (a province in the Netherlands) microfinance scheme. This makes access to finance more easy.
The open approach to entrepreneurship is new. Support for new entrepreneurs is often focused on age, branches of business, race, location, gender, etc. etc. Experience showed most aspiring entrepreneurs would prefer advice and support focused on their personal experiences. This way, together with IkStartSmart, the entrepreneur is able to determine the kind of support required.
The close and direct links to the microfinance funding is also new. Access to finance is – still and always – a major obstacle for start-up. To add the micro finance scheme to this project improves and speeds up the process.
An other new experience is the effect survey. IkStartSmart generates knowledge on the effects of its support for every individual entrepreneur. This way the supply of services can be adjusted to the needs of the entrepreneurs.
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| 08. Objectives |
- get at least 1400 new entrepreneurs
- develop and imporve there entrepreneurial spirit
- give them easy access to finance
- support by private coaches
- 35% should start up within 9 month
- survey and report on the support given
- make the chosen way of support easy to copy nationwide
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| 09. Duration (dd/mm/yyyy) |
| Start Date |
01/01/2008
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| End Date |
01/01/2012
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| Other Information |
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| 10. Target group |
See above, all aspiring entrepreneurs. There is no focus on gender, reace, age, etc. Just a focus on the level of entrepreneurial experience.
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11. Have you consulted business organisations before submitting this measure?
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Yes
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| 11.1 Comments/testimonial by business organisation/entrepreneur |
There are very positive reactions from the Chambers of Commerce, the local business support offices. And on request of the government of the Province of Gelderland this measure will be extended at least till the end of 2012.
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| 12. Why is this measure a success? Please give information on results and achievements. |
The project is now applicable to 79% of the Province of Gelderland. This system is easy to copy, so it is not locally bound.
In total almost 1600 personal intake interviews where held. Of these more then 950 entrepreneurs received training and support. 124 of these also used the personal coach. 330 entrepreneurs already finished the IkStartSmart support measure. And almost 60 people started from a social security scheme.
The failure rate is (till October 2010) 5.7%. This is a great result.
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| 13. Problems that had to be overcome and lessons learned |
The success rate has increased from 50% to 80 - 85% over five years.
This higher amount of vital entreprises has improved the local and regional development.
The IkStartSmart scheme fits the demands and the requests of the participants.
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14. Information on the measure can be provided in the following languages
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Send feedback about this good practice
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European Commission - Growth