Through an in-depth analysis of existing entrepreneurship programmes, accelerators and incubators in the EU and beyond, ICT ENTREPRENEUR, will identify the existing gap in South EU countries and the best practices that already exist in North EU countries.

 

Then a new, top-quality pre-accelerator programme for ICT students/graduates will be developed!

 

By developing the first of its kind, the following objectives will be achieved. The ICT ENTREPRENEUR programme will help to:

 

1. Foster the entrepreneurial spirit and develop transversal skills (both hard and soft) for ICT students/graduates across Europe

2. Enhance entrepreneurship levels of students within EU Universities

3. Identify the obstacles that ICT students/graduates face in transferring their project findings from university assignments into business ideas.

4. Support the exchange of knowledge between higher education and enterprises

5. Develop new teaching methods and techniques on entrepreneurship education

6. Transfer best practices from North EU countries (UK, Germany) that have long-term experience in entrepreneurship and accelerator programmes to South EU countries (Cyprus, Spain, Portugal).

7. Open up new learning opportunities through the practical application of entrepreneurial skills.

 

What are the innovative elements of ICT ENTREPRENEUR?

 

1. No similar comprehensive entrepreneurship programme which uses best practices from both North and South EU countries exists at EU level

2. Involvement of both academics and industry people in the co-creation of the training content

3. Enrichment of training with the necessary ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ entrepreneurial skills

4. Utilisation and evaluation of the best practices developed in a number of accelerators and entrepreneurship centres across Europe and beyond.

5. Development of a top-quality training programme specifically for ICT students/graduates.

6. Usage of effective didactic approaches like real case studies, mentoring, coaching activities, etc.

Utilisation of the power of media in order to create awareness and develop a more positive image for entrepreneurs.

 

Which are the MAIN ACTIVITIES of ICT ENTREPRENEUR?

 

1. Identification of the strengths, weaknesses, gaps and best practices of existing entrepreneurship programmes.

2. Preparation of the first version of the ICT ENTREPRENEUR programme.

3. A Pilot test of the training programme in 5 EU countries (Cyprus, Germany,  Portugal, Spain, UK) with the participation of 20 ICT students/graduates from each country. 

4. Reception of feedback by the participants concerning the quality of the training programme.

5. Development of the final version of the ICT ENTREPRENEUR Programme, which will be provided in hard copy and online.

6. The top 5 participants from each country will participate in the final ICT Entrepreneurship Academy and Business Competition that will be held in Cyprus.

7. A thorough media and communication campaign will be implemented, with many dissemination activities across Europe which will directly reach our main target groups.

 

Which are the EXPECTED RESULTS AND the ENVISAGED IMPACT?

 

• Development of entrepreneurial skills to 100 ICT students/graduates across Europe.

• Assistance to these young people in starting their own companies. 

• Offering a new training course in the form of a pre-accelerator programme for entry in accelerators, incubators, universities, etc.  

• Serving as a best-practice example and a training model for strategic partnerships and other EU initiatives within the entrepreneurship area.