Project "Entrepreneurship without borders" launched a branch of CoderDOJO in Ardino
With the support of CorkBIC and ICT Cluster in Ardino was created branch of CoderDojo – an initiative for training in programming for nonprogrammers - children at age 7-17 years.
CoderDojo is a global movement established in 2011 by James Welton and Bill Liao and supported by CorkBIC. 2 years after its establishment the movement became a global phenomenon!
On June 14, 2014 in the School "Vasil Levski" Anton Tcholakov and Nikolay Chochev organized the first CoderDOJO meeting in Ardino, supported by the ICT Cluster and CorkBIC. The initiative was attended by 18 participants. During the meeting, participants created their first web pages.
It was held the final training of young entrepreneurs within the project "Entrepreneurship without borders."
On 10 -11 June 2014 in Ardino municipality was held the final conference and round table on entrepreneurship and the training "Virtual business: values, goods and money" within the project "Entrepreneurship without borders".
The first day of the training was held through video conferencing between the conference room of Ardino municipality and the ICT Cluster’s office. The training was opened with a speech by Mr. Resmi Murad, Mayor of Ardino and Mr. Nedzhmi Hodzhov, Vice-mayor and project expert. During the first day of training speakers were Mr. Nikolai Angov - co-founder of Business Booster Sofia, a successful entrepreneur and lecturer at Harvard affiliated Center for Economic Strategies and Competitiveness (CESC) and Mr. Stoyan Angelov - successful entrepreneur and member of the organization "Start It Smart". Mr. Peter Statev, Ms. Eileen Moloney and Mr. Michael O’Connor also took part in the training through conferent video between the ICT Cluster’s office and Ardino municipality. An active discussion, individual and group practical exercises and assignments were also held.
The training "Virtual business - values, goods and money" continued until 12:00 pm on June 11.
The second day of training was attended by the experts from CorkBIC, ICT Cluster and Ardino municipality.
Lecturers and students held an active discussion and practical tasks, a review of the lessons learned during the four training sessions was made and also success stories and best practices were presented.
On June 11th after the lunch break a conference roundtable on entrepreneurship took place.
The event was attended by the project experts from ICT Cluster, Ardino and CorkBIC, Next Consult Ltd, NGOs and entrepreneurs from Kardzhali, libraries and schools in Ardino, students, representatives of MIG - Ardino, local and regional authorities, as well as 25 participants in the entrepreneurship trainings.
During the event the results of the project "Entrepreneurship without borders" were presented, participants discussed the opportunities for entrepreneurship promotion and creation of incubator supporting start-ups in Ardino municipality .
The conference was closed with awarding ceremony.
After the end of the event a press conference was held.
The partners in the project "Entrepreneurship without borders" - Foundation ICT Cluster, Ardino Municipality and CorkBIC agreed to continue the efforts and cooperation for sustainable development of entrepreneurship in the region.
ICT Cluster was part of the the Kick-off meeting of the DonauMotor project
ICT Cluster attended the the Kick-off meeting of the DonauMotor project. The event was held on June 5th 2014 in Sofia Bulgaria.
Dr. Truckenmüller welcomed the participants and presented the idea for optimization of the transnational value chains in Europe by setting up the Danube Region wide Automotive super-cluster DonauMotor. A managed huge internet platform which connects the manufacturing industries in the countries along the Danube river shall support the process. An overview was given about the current project status and the connected projects of IMACOS and ACB - Auto Park Bulgaria, DonauSchwaben-KMU, etc. The DonauMotor project was shortly presented with its 3 phases.
Outputs of the meeting
Project ideas:
1.Vocational training seminars
1.1 Regional academies for trainings
2.Communication and Brokerage Platform
3.Auto Park Bulgaria
4.Innovation hub in Mechatronics
5.Dual education of engineers
5.1 Engineers of the future
6.Value network development
7.New Generation Workplace
7.1 Automation
7.2 Ergonomics
7.3 Art
8.Relocation of electronic parts manufacturing to Europe
9.Better communication to increase more business
10.Integration of Start-ups + Technology leaders
11.E-mobility
12.Set up of a supply structure for Tesla when moving manufacturing to Europe as expected.
Decisions:
1. The project management will provide a template for project ideas.
2. The project team will be requested to detail the project ideas created in the meeting plus additional ideas in those templates for a standard processing.
3. Save the date for the next meeting including the establishment of the Advisory Board – October 28-29, 2014
ICT Cluster took part in a “Roadshow” for innovative SMEs in the field of transport, held in Ruse
Roadshow for innovative SMEs in the field of transport was held on 16th May 2014 in University of Ruse “Angel Kаnchev”. The event was organized by Ruse Chamber of Commerce and Industry within a project IntraSME – action of support of innovative SMEs in the field of transport.
The event agenda was focused on:
• Opportunities and potential of the low–carbon, intelligent transport and its applications for all kind of vehicles.
• Information how SMEs to get access to EU finding for R&D, commercialization and realization of innovative products and services;
• Opportunities for networking and building partnerships between European SME and business support organizations.
The event was dedicated to all European SMEs willing to learn more about the opportunities INTRASME can offer and to network with potential partners from across Europe. During the event were presented good practices by Polish, British, Italian, Romanian and Bulgarian SMEs and business support organizations.
At the event were more than 30 participants – SMEs, business support organizations, national and regional clusters and associations, representatives of R&D organizations, universities and the regional public administration. At the agenda was given special time to participants to share experiences and make new contacts and partnerships.
During the event Krasimira Shindarova presented the ICT Cluster’s experience and expertise in the field of the intelligent transport systems.
Peter Statev presented opportunities for cooperation between ICT clusters in the Black Sea region
On May 15, 2014 was held Conference for internationalization of the economy of Southeast Europe and the Black Sea region by application of the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA), organized by the BCCI. This was the biggest event in the rotating chairmanship of BCCI Business Council of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC).
The conference was attended by representatives of commerce and industry of the CEFTA countries and the countries of the BSEC, branch organizations, entrepreneurs, members of parliament, government, academia and others.
Chairman of ICT Cluster Mr. Peter Statev presented opportunities for cooperation between ICT clusters within the area of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation.
Sofia was cluster capital of Black Sea region
Conference "Cooperation of ICT clusters in the Black Sea region for growth, prosperity and competitiveness" was held on 10 and 11 April 2014 in Grand Hotel Sofia.
The event was organized by the Foundation ICT Cluster and the Ministry of Transport and Communications in the Bulgarian Presidency of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation. Major Sponsors of the event were VIVACOM, Sofia Tech Park and "Bulgarian Cluster Telecommunications".
The conference was attended by representatives of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation, Ministry of Transport, Information Technologies and Communications, Ministry of Economy of Romania, Ministry of Economy and Energy, representatives of business and clusters of the region.
The main topic of the event was the cooperation of the ICT cluster in the region to becoming a more attractive place to invest and a better place to live. The main focus of the conference topics were related to ICT technology in intermodal transport, the development of new-generation broadband, cyber security, etc.
Participants in the event supported the idea that the cluster approach is an essential tool to be applied in the BSEC countries in order to support SMEs and competitiveness and to promote innovation in the region.
Presentations from conference are available on the following links:
I PANEL - ICT Clusters as a driving engine for competetiveness and prosperity in the region
Mr. Peter Statev - ICT Cluster
Mrs. Genoveva Christova - Representative of European Commission
Mrs. Miryana Dragomirova - MIE
Mrs. Gabriela Pirvu - METEA of Romania
II PANEL : ICT for Intelligent transport systems
Mrs. Anita Angelova - MTITC
Mr. Alexandre Girardi - MultiTel
Mr. Thomas Kronawetter - TEXXA
III PANEL: Cyber defense, Information and network security (Round Table / Discussion)
Georgi Dimitrov - Ernst & Young Audit OOD
IV PANEL: Broadband infrastructure - the backbone of the economy nowadays
Prof. Vladimir Poulkov - Bulgarian Cluster Telecommunications
Mrs. Janet Zaharieva - VIVACOM
Mr. Goran Poposki - ASI
V PANEL: Black Sea ICT Cluster Network
Mr. Milan Solaja - Vojvodina ICT Cluster
Mrs. Marina Blagojevic - ICT Network
Mr. Goran Mladenovic - NiCAT (2nd presentation)
Mrs. Elitsa Panayotova - Sofia Tech Park
5th Balkan Venture Forum will be held on 15 - 16 May 2014 in Bosnia and Herzegovina
The fifth edition of the Balkan Venture Forum will be held on 15 - 16 May 2014 in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The event aims to help 50 pre-selected entrepreneurs to develop their ideas at an international level, by linking them with foreign investors and business partners. Each entrepreneur will have the opportunity to present to the jury their ideas and business potential within 5 minutes.
The event is aiming to create successful networking, providing new opportunities.
The deadline for registration of entrepreneurs is April 20, 2014
To register please visit the event page: http://www.vibeproject.eu/BkVF
More detailed information and program of the event can be found here.
For more information:
Jitske van Os
Europe Unlimited
+32 (0) 2 644 65 92
jitske@e-unlimited.com
www.e-unlimited.com
ICT clusters collaboration for growth, prosperity and competitiveness in the Black Sea Region
Ministry of Transport, Information Technologies and Communications of Bulgaria and ICT Cluster are organizing a regional conference "ICT clusters collaboration for growth, prosperity and competitiveness in the Black Sea Region" within the framework of Bulgarian Chairmanship of Organization of Black Sea Economic Cooperation. The even will be held on 10-11 April 2014 in Sofia, Bulgaria. Representatives of European Commission, BSEC and public and private ICT sector from the Black Sea region are invited.
Clusters are one of the most important tools for development of national competitiveness and fostering SME performance. At 21 century cluster organization are facing common challenges connected to global markets, SME development, innovation take up, internationalization and many others. Regional cluster collaboration will bring common solutions to the new challenges and will make the region and industry more competitive and innovative, ready to fight for global recognition.
The conference will bring together various clusters, operating in the field of ICT and their members, representatives of ICT sector from the Black Sea Region with the goal of fostering new and sustainable business opportunities through establishment of ICT clusters collaboration network. The aim is to optimize the uptake of ICT as well as encouraging networking and collaboration between the private and public sectors.
The event is sponsored by: VIVACOM, Sofia Tech Park, Bulgarian Cluster "Telecommunications".
For more information information and program of the event you can find at the conference web page:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ict-clusters-cooperation-for-growth-prosperity-and-competitiveness-in-the-black-sea-region-tickets-10484265721
Шесто издание на “Български награди за уеб”
Шест години търсим най-добрите проекти в уеб
Българската уеб асоциация стартира шестото издание на конкурса “Български награди за уеб”. Уеб събитието на годината събира най-добрите дигитални агенции и професионалисти, за да връчи за шести пореден път, наградите на най-качествените уеб проекти.
С обновена идентичност и послание, конкурсът на професионалистите те предизвиква да докажеш, че си сред най-добрите!
Тази година категориите са разпределни в три панела и се очертава истинска конкуренция.
Фокусът е върху новите тенденции за уеб дизайн, уеб маркетинг и уеб бизнес. Специално внимание е отделено на новаторите и нови участници в конкурса.
Компактна група от високо-квалифицирани специалисти от уеб агенции, медии, рекламни агенции, дизайнери и предприемачи ще оценяват кандидатите при ясно определени критерии.
Номинираните проекти се представят на живо, пред жури и публика. Споделянето на личният поглед за конкретния проект, често е най-интересната част от конкурса.
Вие регистрирахте ли вашият проект – www.webawards.bg
За допълнителна информация:
Виктория Лалова, координатор проекти
тел: 02 9166815, 0886 700 377
info@bwa.bg; www.bwa.bg
Balkan Venture Forum | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 15-16 May 2014
On 15-16 May 2014, the 5th edition of Balkan Venture Forum will take place in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Balkan Venture Forum (BkVF) is providing the opportunity for the most promising entrepreneurs from Life sciences, Clean technology and Information Technology to present their activities and meet with an audience of Balkan and international strategic partners, venture capital and corporate investors.
This time the investment forum will take place in Bosnia and Herzegovina and will be showcasing businesses from all over the Balkans.
The main attraction of the Forum will be the Top 30 companies from the Balkan Region that have been selected to pitch their businesses to a pool of local, regional and international investors.
The forum’s top 7 presenters will automatically qualify for the European Venture Summit 2014
· Apply as a presenting company: register for free here or send an email to Jitske van Os at jitske@e-unlimited.com
· Be an expert reviewer: If you are interested in being an expert reviewer, please contact Adeline Kloosterman at adeline@e-unlimited.com
Balkan Venture Forum is one of the main objectives of the SEE Programme project VIBE (Venture Initiative in Balkan Europe) and is being co-financed by European Union.
European Programme "Erasmmus for Young Entrepreneurs" will continue to January 2014
What is it ?
"Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs" is an exchange program for entrepreneurs, financed from the European Union. The main objective of the program is to encourage entrepreneurship, increase competitiveness and internationalization of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through the exchange of knowledge, experience and best practices.
"Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs" enables inexperienced entrepreneurs recently launched their businesses, get good practical advice and experience as a guest of successful managers of companies from another Member State of the EU for a period of 1 to 6 months .
Young entrepreneurs receive financial support from the European Commission to implement the exchange of experience.
Deadline for participation:
The pilot phase of the program started in early 2009. This fourth stage of the program will continue until January 2014.
You can participate in the program as a Young Entrepreneur if:
- You are future entrepreneur who firmly planning to start a business, or you're an entrepreneur who started a business in the last three years. There is no age limit!
- Are you a resident in one of the EU Member States;
- Do you have a specific project or business idea built into a business plan;
- You can prove your readiness to establish a business relationship with an experienced entrepreneur in another EU country;
- You are ready to contribute to the business development of your host entrepreneur;
- You are ready to bear the cost of your stay abroad, excesseding the EU funding grant.
You can participate in the program as a Successful Entrepreneur if:
- You are you a resident in one of the EU Member States;
- You are you managing own SME or are directly related to the enterprise-level management body of the company;
- You are manage your business more than 3 years;
- You are ready to share your knowledge and experience with your guest entrepreneur and give him/her advice.
Benefits for Young Entrepreneurs:
- Training from experienced entrepreneurs in other EU countries and knowledge for the set uo and management of the business;
- Practical and financial support for contacts, preparation of contracts, preparation before going abroad and local logistical support during the stay and funding from the European Commission to cover the costs of travel and subsistence during their stay abroad;
- Establish international contacts and learning about foreign markets;
- Ability to develop joint initiatives and cross-border markets;
- Understanding the different environment / workplace cultural and organizational aspects;
- Understand the regulations in another European country.
Benefits for Successful Entrepreneurs:
- Work with a serious, committed and motivated young entrepreneur who could contribute to your business through innovative ideas and point of views;
- Increase knowledge of foreign markets, establishing business contacts and increase opportunities for internationalization of business;
- Increasing the growth potential of the company and the ability to directly establish new business partnerships directly with young entrepreneur from another country;
- Ability to interact with successful entrepreneurs from other countries and become part of a dynamic pan-European business network of successful entrepreneurs;
- Benefit from the support of a professional intermediary organization to find potential business partners and support in establishing relationships with the young entrepreneur.
Application Process:
Successful young entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs can participate in the program after registering on www.erasmus-entrepreneurs.eu
Young entrepreneurs should prepare a CV and a business plan.
After registration, a meeting was held - an interview between the entrepreneur and the intermediary organization.
Certificates:
The young and successful entrepreneurs receive certificates for their successful participation in the program.
Success Stories:
Success stories of young entrepreneurs who participated in the program can be found at: http://ictcluster.bg/en/innovation-and-entrepreneurship/projects/erasmus-for-young-entrepreneurs/
The story of a successful entrepreneur from Bulgaria, participated in the program you can see here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10vux_nwpJQ
For more information and assistance, please contact:
Foundation "ICT Cluster"
Krasimira Shindarova
Coordinator of the project "Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs"
Tel: +359 2 489 97 44
e-mail: krasimira_shindarova@ictcluster.bg
web: www.ictcluster.bg
3EII is among the top 10 of the best performing European partnerships of Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs
European Commission rated consortium 3EII, in which ICT Cluster is a partner, in Top 10 of the Best performing European partnerships of the 4th cycle ( May 2012 – January 2014) of Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs program.
The 3EII EP has carried out 58 exchanges or 58 new entrepreneurs (NE) were able to learn the art of entrepreneurship at their 58 host entrepreneurs (HE).
7 New Entrepreneurs and 2 Successful Entrepreneurs from Bulgaria participate in this cycle with the support of ICT Cluster.
ICT Cluster ends its participation as Intermediary organisation in the programme Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs.
ICT Cluster has been Intermediary organization in the programme since its beginning in 2009. From the beginning with the support of ICT Cluster are held 22 successful exchanges of experience. 18 from the participated entrepreneurs successfully develop their own business.
More about the programme and the success stories you can read here: http://www.ictcluster.bg/en/projects/erasmus-for-young-entrepreneurs/