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ICT - SME challenges in the global economy epoch ASTEL Annual Conference ‘Digital Democracy’

ICT - SME challenges in the global economy epoch ASTEL Annual Conference ‘Digital Democracy’ May 08th, 2008 Sofia, Bulgaria. Bulgarian ICT Cluster. Main Strategic Directions of ICT Cluster Activities. Cluster Approach. Private initiative started in 2005

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ICT - SME challenges in the global economy epoch ASTEL Annual Conference ‘Digital Democracy’

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  1. ICT - SME challenges in the global economy epoch ASTEL Annual Conference ‘Digital Democracy’ May 08th, 2008 Sofia, Bulgaria

  2. Bulgarian ICT Cluster Main Strategic Directions of ICT Cluster Activities Cluster Approach • Private initiative started in 2005 • Platform for knowledge transfer and competitiveness • 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

  3. ‘……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: SME: Who they are? Organizations:

  4. 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: SME: Growth and sustainability? Factors and tools:

  5. Bulgarian National Strategy for Innovation – 2004/2006 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

  6. Current ICT Market Environment Cluster Fills the Gap: FORENTIN 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

  7. 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 What is done? Business Consulting

  8. 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!

  9. 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: SME Globalization? Services:

  10. Participants: 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

  11. 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: Bulgarian Telecom Cluster Members:

  12. Thank You!

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