Free business training for biobased startups

Share this article

The BioBase4SME project, co-financed by Europe’s Interreg NWE programme, is now providing start-up companies working in the bioeconomy with €7,000 worth of specialist training, fully funded by the project. An intensive, week-long Innovation Biocamp will give these companies the tools they need to commercialise their idea and grow their company. The training culminates in a live pitch to investors.

Start-up and spin-out, biobased companies based in the Interreg North West Europe area are encouraged to apply for their place on the Innovation Biocamp, which will take place in Yorkshire, UK from 23-28th July, 2017. The course includes a series of lectures from experts in key aspects of business growth, such as value propositions, business modelling, financing growth and risk management. Each lecture is followed by group exercises mediated by an experienced facilitator. Participants will then work with mentors to apply this learning to their own company.

Successful applicants will benefit from:

  • mentoring sessions with successful business leaders and investors
  • masterclasses from experts in finance, regulation, risk and opportunity
  • live pitch to a panel of specialist investors, active in the sector
  • peer-to-peer learning and networking with biobased companies from across NW Europe.

The deadline for applications for the Innovation Biocamp is 19 May 2017. More information on the Biocamp, including further details on the selection criteria and the application procedure can be found online at: www.biovale.org/event/innovation-biocamp/ or www.nweurope.eu/BioBase4SME

Other business support available from BioBase4SME:
BioBase4SME offers professional innovation support services to SMEs and start-ups active in the bioeconomy. The expert network organises workshops on specific topics, diverse training events and an innovation biocamp. Furthermore, BioBase4SME runs a very successful Bio-Innovation Coupon Scheme, offering coupons with a value up to €100,000 to SMEs looking for technical (process development, scale-up…) and non-technical support (LCA, application testing, market research, business plan coaching, social acceptance…).

More information: www.nweurope.eu/BioBase4SME.