SMEDGE
Central Baltic
- Thematic cluster:
- SMEs
- Programme:
- Central Baltic Programme
- Priority:
- 2. Economically competitive and innovative region
- Direction of support:
- Supporting innovation and improving competitiveness
- Duration:
- Mar 2009 - Oct 2011 (2 years, 8 months)
- Total funding:
- 822 799 €
- ERDF funding:
- 659 692 €
- EUSBSR Priority area
- Promote entrepreneurship and strengthen the growth of SMEs
Development idea
The number of successful small and medium-size enterprise enlargements into another Central Baltic country is comparatively low. Companies need support to enter the markets of other Central Baltic countries. When expanding into another country, companies face many challenges: finding partners, language and cultural barriers, lack of knowledge in local marketing strategies, taxation, law and accounting, etc.
Aim of the project
The SMEDGE project aimed at developing useful service packages helping the SMEs to enter foreign markets faster and more cost efficiently in the Central Baltic region.
Main project activities
The project developed a soft landing services model consisting of a combination of various internationalisation activities: trainings, market research, brokerage events, joint seminars and consultation services, etc. The development was done by cooperating with SMEs interested in expanding their business abroad. The activities support the companies in determining if they are ready to enter the foreign markets, thereby allowing them to spend their international expansion capital more effectively. As a part of the development process, the project also organised workshops with business incubators and technology/science parks to develop the model and distribute it further.
Partners
Tallinn Science Park Tehnopol
- Country:
- Estonia
- Region:
- Põhja-Eesti
- ERDF funding:
- 154 986 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 27 524 €
Mjärdevi Science Park (MSP)
- Country:
- Sweden
- Region:
- Östergötland
- ERDF funding:
- 104 032 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 34 786 €
Latvian Technological Center (LTC)
- Country:
- Latvia
- Region:
- Riga
- ERDF funding:
- 131 128 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 23 193 €
HUMAK University of Applied Sciences Ltd (HUMAK CCE)
- Country:
- Finland
- Region:
- Uusimaa
- ERDF funding:
- 85 852 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 28 701 €
Business Support and Credit Management Foundation (ESA)
- Country:
- Estonia
- Region:
- Põhja-Eesti
- ERDF funding:
- 78 812 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 13 908 €
Aalto University School of Economics, Small Business Center (Aalto SBC)
- Country:
- Finland
- Region:
- Uusimaa
- ERDF funding:
- 104 882 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 34 996 €
Results
Support package for SME internationalization
The support package or soft landing package helps companies - mainly from the technology and creative sectors - to prepare for expansion into other Central Baltic markets.
The soft landing services include for example the following activities:
•Initial market-research and market entry consultations
•Business accommodation in flexible conditions
•Help in dealing with business procedures and legal matters
•Mentoring and consulting
•Help in finding onsite representatives or personnel
Soft landing for your business in Estonia, Latvia, Finland and Sweden
