2. [Y] Factor Conference is a youth event organised
by the trainees of the European Committee of
the Regions (CoR) in collaboration with the CoR
services.The main idea behind [Y] Factor is to tackle
the topics and issues that concern young people at
the local and regional level.
The third [Y] Factor Conference organised on
January 27, 2016 focused on the role of youth in
local and regional innovation. Start-uppers, local
and regional authorities, and experts in the digital
and innovation sector were brought together to
hold a discussion on two thematic panels:
I. Young entrepreneurs and local and regional
authorities: New paths of cooperation?
II. Young generation and smart cities:
How can big data drive innovation?
[Y] Factor was held in an innovative format which
aimed at generating truly unique ideas specific to
theparticipants’andspeakers’experience.Aftereach
speaker’s introduction to the topic, the participants
were given 10 minutes to discuss within their tables,
and25minutesforanopendebatewiththespeakers
and the rest of the participants respectively.
STARTUPPER table
PARTICIPANTTABLES
(80 people)
CoR MEMBER tableEXPERT table
The [Y] Factor team consistently noted down
participants’ comments and remarks, the speaker’s
ideas and interventions, as well as the moderator’s
conclusions derived from the table discussions; the
following recommendations and proposals are thus
solely based on the conference’s content.
GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS
›› Enhance cross-border public procurement
›› Increase collaboration at local and regional level, and
encourage the exchange of best practice
›› Create more community-based platforms that enhance
public-private collaboration on big data
›› Harmonise the procedures for launching new businesses
within the EU
›› Help companies in finding their customers through grants,
education programmes, and networks of local authorities
›› Encourage the creation ofVibrant Entrepreneurial Ecosystems
Think Smart,Think Regional…
Let’s Innovate!
What characterises
Vibrant Entrepreneurial
Ecosystems?
›› Density of young
entrepreneurs
›› Diversity of skills, passions
and inputs
›› Mobility
›› Interconnectivity
3. INITIATIVES FOR LOCAL AND REGIONAL AUTHORITIES
›› EDUCATION
Conference Message: Anyone can learn to code, and at any age, you can become an entrepreneur!
»» Introduce coding lessons to elementary schools
»» Set up mentoring programmes at high schools
»» Promote entrepreneurial skills among citizens
›› MINDSET
Conference Message: It is the duty of public institutions and local governments to become smarter and more
connected
»» Make innovation one of your priorities
»» Be flexible and responsive to new initiatives
»» Grasp the benefits that big, small and open data can offer you; data and innovation help you to connect
with the citizens
›› SIMPLIFICATION AND FACILITATION
Conference Message: Create better synergies among the leaders of tomorrow and the policy makers of today.
»» Better communicate the work and procedures of local and regional bodies
»» Develop incubators, one stop shops, and mentoring programmes
»» Create enterprise and start-up awards and prizes
»» Further promote the existing ecosystems, incubators, policies and opportunities
4. ENTREPRENEURSHIP 101
1. Check if your city or region has a one stop shop
2. Check if your regional body has funding programmes
3. Start from a problem you want to solve
4. Start at a location where you understand the needs and
opportunities
5. Have a business plan
6. Use large organisations as your reference, customers and
mentors
7. Know your area of expertise and don’t be afraid to ask for help
8. Be proactive, take advantage of the opportunities out there
9. Remember the role of local and regional authorities
10. Be prepared to fail!
Speakers: Daugilas Kakaras (Head of Sales and mCity, Itero IT), Neale Richmond (Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Councillor), Ingrid Willems
(EntrepreneurinResidence–iMinds,FounderatDataScouts),LorenzoPregliasco(DirectorandCo-founderofYouTrendandQuorum),AnneKarjalainen
(City Councillor of Kerava), Henriette van Eijl (Policy Coordinator for Smart Cities, European Commission (DG MOVE)
Moderator: Katrina Sichel
Edited by the Directorate for Communication of the CoR
Rue Belliard/Belliardstraat 101 _ 1040 Bruxelles/Brussels _ Belgique/België
Tel. +32 25468202 _ Fax +32 22822085 _ www.cor.europa.eu
4 STEPS
to launch a great idea:
1. Research your market
2. Find an accelerator
3. Get a mentor
4. Just do it!
What makes
a good entrepreneur?
›› Education
›› Teamwork
›› Patience
›› Perseverance
›› Goal-orientation
TIP FROM THE PRESIDENT:
”YOU NEED TO DEMAND A REAL ACTION
FROM YOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT NOW!’’
Follow us @EU_CoR https://www.facebook.com/committee.of.the.regions
EUROPEAN UNION
Committee of the Regions
![[Y] Factor Conference is a youth event organised
by the trainees of the European Committee of
the Regions (CoR) in collaboration with the CoR
services.The main idea behind [Y] Factor is to tackle
the topics and issues that concern young people at
the local and regional level.
The third [Y] Factor Conference organised on
January 27, 2016 focused on the role of youth in
local and regional innovation. Start-uppers, local
and regional authorities, and experts in the digital
and innovation sector were brought together to
hold a discussion on two thematic panels:
I. Young entrepreneurs and local and regional
authorities: New paths of cooperation?
II. Young generation and smart cities:
How can big data drive innovation?
[Y] Factor was held in an innovative format which
aimed at generating truly unique ideas specific to
theparticipants’andspeakers’experience.Aftereach
speaker’s introduction to the topic, the participants
were given 10 minutes to discuss within their tables,
and25minutesforanopendebatewiththespeakers
and the rest of the participants respectively.
STARTUPPER table
PARTICIPANTTABLES
(80 people)
CoR MEMBER tableEXPERT table
The [Y] Factor team consistently noted down
participants’ comments and remarks, the speaker’s
ideas and interventions, as well as the moderator’s
conclusions derived from the table discussions; the
following recommendations and proposals are thus
solely based on the conference’s content.
GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS
›› Enhance cross-border public procurement
›› Increase collaboration at local and regional level, and
encourage the exchange of best practice
›› Create more community-based platforms that enhance
public-private collaboration on big data
›› Harmonise the procedures for launching new businesses
within the EU
›› Help companies in finding their customers through grants,
education programmes, and networks of local authorities
›› Encourage the creation ofVibrant Entrepreneurial Ecosystems
Think Smart,Think Regional…
Let’s Innovate!
What characterises
Vibrant Entrepreneurial
Ecosystems?
›› Density of young
entrepreneurs
›› Diversity of skills, passions
and inputs
›› Mobility
›› Interconnectivity](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)