1. NEWSLETTER No. 1
Winter 2010/2011
2010
CONTENT WELCOME IN IBI Net!
Networking – A key for We are glad to present you the first issue of IBI Net newsletter. In this issue you
Internationalization of BI ………….………………...….. 1 will find information about the project, its partners, highlights about development of
The main facts on BSR Program ……….…… 2 business incubators in partner countries and results so far.
Status quo of BI‟s services in the People say that the start of something new always is difficult. Yes, it is, however
project territory ……………………………………………………………… 3 the first common steps to the creation of the new network for common business support
IBI Net Study Visit, cooperation activities around Baltic Sea are made – welcome in the IBI Net!
undertaken with DISKE project …………..……4
Riga Planning Region ………………………………….……..… 5
Development of IBI net web-site ………. 5
Centre of technology Western –
Pomerania ……………………………………………………………………..……… 5
City Commune Elblag ………………………………..……….… 6
IBI Net kaleidoscope ……………………………………………… 6
Leningrad region business support
center …………………………………………………………………………………….……. 6
Teknikdalen Foundation ……………………………………. 7
Riga Technical University ……………………….…….. 7
Scientific-Technological Park BNTU
“Polytechnic” …………………………………………………………….………. 7
Innovation Center Hedmark ……………………….. 8
Did you KNOW? The business
incubation
in the Republic of Belarus ……………..………….… 8
Further activities of IBI Net ………….……………. 9
Recreation zone ………………………………………………………….. 9
IBI Net Partners during the Kick-off meeting in Riga, Latvia (January, 2010)
IBI Net IN FIGURES
Launched on December, 2009 NETWORKING – A KEY FOR INTERNATIONALIZATION OF
BUSINESS INCUBATORS
Duration: 30 months
Number of partners: 7 from Latvia, Business Incubators, as one first Business Incubators were created in
Norway, Sweden, Poland, of the most effective instrument for Europe and other continents: UK (1969),
Germany, Belorussia and an regional economic development, Australia (1972), Asia (1974),
Associated Partner from Russia have more than 60 years history. Scandinavia (1982), Germany (1983),
Latin America (1986) and Japan (1993)
Business Incubation was
Total budget: 677 050 EUR, Since 1990 the fast development of
pioneered in the USA in the 1950s. It
incl. Business Incubators began the countries
gets its name from the first Incubator
- ERDF: 507 800 EUR of Central and Eastern Europe and
which was established in a failed chicken
- ENPI: 100 450 EUR Africa. The first Business Incubators
hatchery. Originally a means of finding
- Norwegian National were established in the Baltic States in
new uses for old buildings, business
Funding: 68 800 EUR this time period: Estonia (1991), Latvia
incubation is now a powerful economic
Information on IBI Net and Lithuania (1993).
development tool helping a wide range
of businesses. Just 20 years later the Cont. on page No 2
Project now is available in
the internet!!!
www.ibi-net.eu
01 | Winter 2010/2011

2. Networking – An Instrument to Promote development promotion through the support
Internationalization of Business Incubators of entrepreneurship and enterprise
Continuation from page No 1 development in a wide spectrum of
In 80‟s European Commission environments. An important strength of
initiated setting up of the network of Business Incubators is their adaptability to
different situations, resources, aims and business demands more and more direct
“Business and Innovation Centers” –
tasks. communication between potential business
BICs which practically were the same
In general, Business Incubators partners (product developers, producers,
Business Incubators, but stimulating
support companies to grow and survive. suppliers, distributors, etc.) and the
the establishment and growth of
There are several definitions but the three problem to find the right and reliable
knowledge-based companies.
core characteristics are: partner becomes more and more crucial.
Irrespective to geographical
Selection – Business Incubators have a To create new and reliable partnership
location, level of economic
process by which they select clients; in neighboring countries also is a subject
development, national peculiarities and
Support – Business Incubators have to which sometimes is forgotten as a, for the
so on, all Business Incubators had been
do something for their clients; first sight, very small and easy issue. On
created for
Time-Limitation – Business Incubation is contrary, the strong ties between regional
promotion of regional economic
a process, not an end, clients grow to partners are strengthening regional
development;
become viable free-standing companies, economic development and in this way we
solving unemployment problems;
and leave. can get certain preferences in the global
increasing social welfare.
If the first and third characteristics are competition.
As the most effective results
very individual and specific for every Our project IBI-NET has a goal to
achieved in the business incubation
incubator, the second one “Support” is very create new, strong and reliable Business
could be pointed out the following:
changing during the last decade and has get Incubator network in the Baltic Sea Region.
business incubation is an effective
more and more new parameters most of Strengthening cooperation ties between
tool in new job creation;
them which are in relation to the international Business Incubators in the project partner
increased business activities and
cooperation. countries is just the initial phase in
fast growing middle class in the
In to-days Global economy implementation of the project idea. The
society;
internationalization of businesses becomes following steps, even after the project
increased competitiveness of
more and more important issue and, in terms time, is to capitalize gained partnership in
regions (cities, rural areas, etc);
of that, international cooperation between new joint ventures, new markets, new SME
increased cooperation between new
companies as well as service providers support programs as “soft-landing”,
companies and research institutions
(Business Incubators) to-day is one of the key regional level “innovation vouchers”, etc.,
(technology business incubators);
issues for successful operation of Business and improved innovation culture and
decreased “brain drain” and
Incubators, in particular, and economic environment for innovative business and
migration of skilled workforce from
development, in general. For this as expand this initiative to other countries to
region to region;
important tools which has justified get new partnerships and cooperation
increased survival rate of new
themselves very well till now are networks links. All these measures should be in line
companies (up to 80 - 90 %), etc.
and networking. In terms of that, one can say with the new Europe 2020 Flagship
There is no any need to persuade
that there are well known professional initiative “Innovation Union” which stated
anybody in the principal efficiency of
associations on international (International that “our future standard of living depends
Business Incubation to day. The
Association of Science Parks – IASP, on our ability to drive innovation in
problem, only remains, is to find
European Business and Innovation Center products, services, business and social
interested in it public institutions and/or
Network – EBN) and national level (LTICA in processes and models”.
private companies (persons) and how to
set up and manage a Business Latvia, ADT in Germany, UKBIA in UK, PBICA
in Poland, NBIA in USA) dealing with defined
Incubator in the most efficient way. In Dr.habil.sc.ing. J. Stabulnieks
another words, Business Incubators subjects and target groups and, besides that,
Latvian Technological Center
great and wide range of possibilities to use Latvian Association of Technology Parks,
have become globally recognized
instruments of regional economic new electronic communication systems. Centers and Business Incubators
Nevertheless development of the high-tech
THE MAIN FACTS ON BSR PROGRAM
The European Union's Baltic The Programme co-finances projects in
Sea Region Programme 2007-2013 fields of:
promotes regional development Fostering innovations,
through transnational cooperation. Internal and external accessibility,
Baltic Sea as a common resource,
Eleven countries around the Baltic
Attractive and competitive cities and
Sea work together to find joint solutions
regions.
to common problems: Denmark,
Germany, Sweden and Finland, Estonia, Total funds available at Programme start:
Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, Norway, 236.6 million EUR, including
Russia and Belarus. European Regional Development Fund
(ERDF): 208 MEUR
Strategic objective: To make the
European Neighbourhood and
Baltic Sea region an attractive place to
Partnership Instrument (ENPI):
invest, work and live in.
approx. 22.6 MEUR
Norwegian national funding: 6 MEUR
02 | Winter 2010/2011

3. STATUS QUO OF BUSINESS INCUBATORS’ SERVICES
IN THE PROJECT TERRITORY
As defined in WP 3 of the As a base for the interviews we It is encouraging to meet such dedicated
IBI Net project an analysis on used the received replies but also tried to and forward looking people which also
status quo of Business Incubator identify areas not covered by the create a good baseline for the coming
(BI) services is underway. questionnaire with the aim of getting to activities in the project. Furthermore, we
know the BI more in detail. have been very well taken care of by our
The results of it will be used to project partners during our trips and we
In October our travel began with a
identify development needs of BIs in are grateful for all the efforts made in
visit to Riga where we met BI from Hub
Baltic Sea Region in order to deliver order to help us in the work. Without
Riga, Ogre Business and Innovation
state of the art business support your support we could not have done it.
Incubator, Ventspils Business Incubator
services fostering development of
and Riga Region Business Development We have now entered into a period
innovative and export oriented SMEs.
Incubator. This was followed by a visit to where we are analysing our findings and
The analysis shall further Poland where the Project partner had evaluating possible ways forward. This
elaborate on recommendations selected one BI in Mielec and one in Kalisz also requires us to identify and set some
regarding possible development areas for our interviews. The week after having basic limitations to the work. Already now
of each BI to strengthen their capacity visited Poland we went to our partner in we have concluded that our energy
to support SME‟s growth. Furthermore, Germany where we had the privilege to should be focused on areas where the IBI
the analysis shall form the baseline for visit BI‟s in Schwerin and Warnemünde. Net project can have an impact. Areas
creating an open and innovation driven Our next interviews took place in Belarus where no or little impact can be achieved
business support environment in the where we met the Institute of Technology should for the time being be left to other
BSR. of Metals and the Technology Park forms.
The task has been given to the
Swedish partner Teknikdalen
Foundation (TF) and planning of the
activity started during autumn. It was
early identified that the best
knowledge and competence regarding
Business incubation in our region was
to be found in-house in our own
organisation. Therefore it was decided
to use our best, but also most
occupied, resources in order to ensure
a high quality output.
For preparation purposes a
questionnaire had been developed and
distributed to all project partners
together with the task to identify two
representatives and motivated BI for
more in-depth interviews. After having Task force meeting in Greifswald, Germany
received the replies our preparation (August, 2010)
work begun.
Our conclusions will be discussed
Mogilyov. Finally, Hamar in Norway was
The replies were analysed, at a forthcoming Task Force meeting in
paid a visit and ended an extensive work
further questioners identified and an Stockholm January 18th. During this
and travel period for Teknikdalen
extensive travel plan which had to be meeting the Project partners will have a
Foundation. Unfortunately, we did not
matched with our in-house work chance to give their input to any
receive any replies from our Associated
schedule as well as the selected BI‟s suggestions we might have. Or come up
Project Partner in St. Petersburg and were
schedule were produced. with own suggestions. Since the IBI Net
therefore forced to cancel our planned
project is, among other things, an
The idea was that two experts visit.
exercise in co-operation it is important to
from TF should visit the BI‟s and hold
During our visits we have met listen to all involved parties prior to any
informal interviews in order to get an
competent colleagues from BI‟s working decision. Hopefully we will make some
overall view of the situation.
under very different conditions. good decisions in Stockholm!
S.Ericsson
Project Coordinator of TF
03 | Winter 2010/2011

4. IBI NET STUDY VISIT, COOPERATION UNDERTAKEN WITH
DISKE PROJECT
PROJECT UNDERSIGNED PROJECT COOPERATION
Representatives of the introduced by Ms. Anett Dahms and Mr. Anna Zelinska, Project Manager DISKE,
different regional and local Fabian Feldt as representatives of the City of Elblag, added, that the cooperation
authorities, business incubators as town. They presented Greifswald as a will strengthen the networks in the Baltic
well as other institutions providing business location. Later on Dr. Stefan Sea Region. And this will be a big
business support in Baltic Sea Seiberling gave a short presentation advantage for the SME in their „Going-
region visited the Technology about the work of the Centre of Research international-process‟.
Centre of Western Pomerania Support and Commercial Services & After the project meeting a
(Germany). Center of Knowledge Interchange. workshop with the purpose „Going
Following there were an interesting International – The role of technology
The Event was organized as a discussion about the future work and centers in BSR‟ took place. For the
study visit within the BSR program‟s how this knowledge could be use by the presentation of the results also the Prime
project “Intercountry Business project partners. The last two Minister of Mecklenburg Western
Incubator Network”. The main aim of presentations were hold in the Pomerania Mr. Erwin Sellering and the
the visit was an exchange of different Technology Center by Mr. Mario Marshall of the West Pomeranian
experiences in the area of supporting Kokowsky, managing director TZV and by Voivodeship Mr. Wladyslaw Husejko
activities for the small and medium Mr. Ralf Kammann, managing director participated at this event. The results of
enterprises as well as creation of new Economic Development Corporation the workshop showed how important such
networks for cooperation in the Vorpommern. Both speakers presented in projects are and therefore the cooperation
common business support network special their organization and how they between those two projects.
around the Baltic Sea.
1. Technology Centers
During the 18th are responsible for
th
– 20 August the first the regional
study visit of the EU economy
project IBI Net took
place at the ● Survival rate of
Technology Centre of Business in a
Western Pomerania in technology
Greifswald, Germany. center: 90%
This event was ● Survival rate after
combined with the leaving the
10th German Polish technology
Meeting, which took center: 52%
place at several
venues in Greifswald. 2. Many Start Ups try
Since the project to go international
partner of the EU 3. Technology Centers
DISKE project also have to accompany
participated at this this going
event, the project international.
managers decided to
have a combined 4. International Project
meeting between work in Technology
those two projects Centers is important
with the main aim to to support Start Ups
determine project for going
cooperation. Cooperation Agreement is signed! Greifswald, Germany (August, 2010) international
From left side: E.Bartkevičs (Chairman of PSC, RPR), I.Brieze (Project Manager, RPR), A. Zielińska The Prime
On top of the
(Coordinator of the DISKE Project) Minister of
agenda of the IBI Net
Project were the Mecklenburg Western
reflections about the first project results support the region. Pomerania and the Marshall of the West
and also discussions about the further The second day started with the Pomeranian Voivodeship listened very
steps. Furthermore the Technology IBI Net and DISKE project meeting. interested and supported this cooperation
Center as the host arranged several Thereby the two Lead Partners of the and the work of the technology centers.
presentations to show the other projects, Riga Planning Region (IBI Net)
partners how the technology center B.Techen
and the City of Elblag (DISKE) signed a
works and how the business location Project Coordinator of TZV
Letter of Intent for further project
Greifswald is positioned. cooperation. “Cooperation among
After a warmly welcome by the projects is essential to generate
municipality of the Hanseatic city of Interesting on DISKE project:
synergies for better support of SMEs,”
Greifswald the project partners were said Inga Brieze, Project Manager IBI http://www.diskeproject.eu
Net, Riga Planning Region.
04 | Winter 2010/2011

5. Riga Planning Region (RPR) leads the implementation of the IBI Net
project. RPR is a derived public entity established on 12 October 2006. RPR’s
mission is promoting the development of Riga region by facilitating regional
development planning and matching it with international and Structural Fund’s
projects.
The main functions of the RPR are:
regional development planning,
coordination, cooperation between local municipalities and other state institutions,
elaboration, implementation as well as monitoring of the development planning documents on local and regional level,
evaluation of the projects submitted by local municipalities and private persons,
consultation services provided by EU Structural Funds Information Centre,
coordination of public transport‟s network and culture issues in Riga region.
RPR experience shows that regional development brings results more efficiently if it is combined with practical activities in
projects where added value is brought by cooperation and transfer of experience and knowhow among local and foreign partners. RPR
currently implements a number of projects focusing on development of business environment in various sectors SIB Net (motivation and
support schemes for potential SMEs), EU Strategy Goes Local (Lisbon agenda), Cult Identity (tourism), Global vision (support to „green‟
SMEs). RPR has developed fruitful cooperation with partners from Germany, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Poland, Russia, Canada
and other countries. RPR‟s strategy is to complement regional development with concrete projects also in future; therefore, RPR always
is open for new ideas and offers to cooperate.
IBI Net is also one of the practical activities within the framework of which cooperation among business incubators around the
Baltic Sea will be strengthened to facilitate creation of common business environment and competitiveness. RPR is the Lead Partner of
the IBI Net project – one of two projects approved by the Baltic Sea Region Programme 2007-2013 where institution form Latvia is the
Lead Partner.
More information on RPR: www.rpr.gov.lv.
DEVELOPMENT OF IBI NET The Technologiezentrum
WEB SITE Fördergesellschaft mbH Vorpommern (TZV)
was founded in 1991 as an independent,
In accordance with Project Steering success-oriented service provider and as an
Committee‟s decision of 20th August 2010, incubator for companies in the region of
Riga Technical University has started work Vorpommern.
on development of Project‟s web page.
Its special expertise is linking technological knowledge with an extensive
In the end of November 2010 the
understanding of specific markets. It offers best conditions for implementation of ideas
web page www.ibi-net.eu is fully
for the creation of a technology company or an innovative service. Also it assists young
introduced and contains information on
and established companies in its growth phases, in search for business partners and
Project‟s activities, aims, results, current
helps entering new markets. Currently, more than 2,600 square meters of laboratory and
events as well as general information
production space and 3,600 square meters of office space are used by 58 companies.
about Project partners. The web page is
The companies can expect customer-service and expert advice in the area of hiring,
considered as a central place for all the
funding procurement and financial assistance as well as on the subjects‟ innovation,
information regarding Project‟s progress.
consolidation, and product and market development.
Development of the web-page is a
start point for the next step – development In the project the TZV is responsible for the following activities:
of the IBI – Net portal which will be used
like e-platform for Business Incubators Developing ICT tools for management and operations of business incubators.
network in the Baltic Sea Region. Portal is Modern technologies will help the partners to use best practice methods and
one of the main activities of the project therefore they can give an even better business support for start-ups.
since coordinated framework of the
Developing finance instruments for business incubators in the BSR. The work
cooperation is a base for the further
package gives the partners a guideline and instruments for sustainability
development of IBI Net network and
funding force to support businesses.
providing of better business support
services in the project‟s territory and BSR. Therefore the TZV will work with external expertise to offer the project the best
B.Endzele fitting solutions.
Project Coordinator, RTU More information about Partner: www.technologiezentrum.de.
05 | Winter 2010/2011

6. City
Commune IBI NET KALEIDOSCOPE
of Elbląg is
a local self- On 9 June, 2010 IBI Net project was Production and other relevant topics
governmental commune, with the presented by the Project Manager were also discussed during several
area of approx. 79.83 km2 and Inga Brieze to the audience of the lectures and seminars. Project IBI Net
126,419 inhabitants. workshop „Implementation of EU was also presented during the
Strategy for the BSR‟ in Riga, Latvia conference promoting information of
The Partner represents the Elbląg organized by the Ministry of Foreign project goals and activities.
Incubator of Modern Informatics Affairs of Latvia and INTERACT More information on results of “Baltic
Technologies, created for supporting Information Point in Turku. The Dynamics 2010” is available on web-
SMEs development, co-financed by the workshop focused on the site www.balticdynamics.com.
European Union. It was launched to implementation of the Action Plan of Elblag, 28th of October 2010:
create the best opportunities for start-up- the EU Strategy for the BSR in Latvia, colloquium “The Role of the Science
companies in a field of advanced sharing vision of the European and Technology Parks, Incubators
technologies, especially for the graduates Commission on further steps and and Clusters in the Economic
of the State Higher Vocational School in available funding instruments. IBI Net Development of the South Baltic
Elbląg and the Technical University in project was presented as a showcase Regions” was organized by DISKE
Gdansk, as well as other informatics project being implemented in BSR project‟s lead partner where
schools. There may also act other contributing to the aims and entrepreneurs, self-government‟s
companies, indirectly connected with the objectives of the Action Plan and EU representatives and economists
informatics, but using computer Strategy for the BSR in Latvia. participated.
specialized software and hardware. 15th Annual International Conference City Commune Elblag organized study
The Partner will participate in on Innovation “Baltic Dynamics 2010” visit in two Polish business incubators
implementation of all Work Packages of took place in Riga on 15th – 17th (Kalisz and Mielec) on 2nd -3rd of
the Project. It will co-operate to establish September, 2010. Representatives November 2010. Study visit made on
efficient network of business incubators from more as 15 countries of whole necessary to collect detailed
in BSR. Elbląg Incubator‟s role will be World participated in the event with information in order to identify the
supporting the incubator with specialist the main aim to discuss different current incubator situation in BSR.
trainings in order to strengthen issues on sustainable development of Representatives of City Commune of
incubator‟s management team‟s innovation systems on national, Elblag (Poland) and the Teknikdalen
competence. The active participation in regional and local levels. Education Foundation from Borlänge (Sweden),
study visits will provide the partners with and research as components of representatives of the incubators in
expertise and experience of Elbląg innovation system, existing Kalisz and Mielec (Poland)
Incubator. In order to facilitate instruments to support Added value participated in the visit.
cooperation and development of
innovative SMEs as well as support SMEs
operating in incubators, the Partner will Associated partner of IBI Net PI
actively take part in all study visits, “Leningrad region business support
meetings and trainings. Dissemination center” was established uniting
good practices and arrangements resources and operational experience
different kinds of seminars and meetings of two organizations: State Institution
will enable establishing business contacts “Leningrad Region Legal Bureau”
between entrepreneurs from all countries (LenUrBuro) and Leningrad Region
involving in the project. Fund for Support of Small Business
“Recept”.
More information on Partner is
available on the web-site: LenUrBuro was established in 2002 with support of TACIS project “Legal Protection
http://www.umelblag.pl/en/. for Economic Operators”. Fund “Recept” was the executor and resource administrator of
the Regional Program “Development and support of small business in Leningrad region
2003-2005”.
BUSINESS DICTIONARY Presently, organization is subordinate to Leningrad region Administration
A business incubator - This is a form of Committee on development of small and medium business and consumer market and our
mentoring in which workspace, coaching, main function is to serve as a technical facilitator for the realization of Long-term target
and support services are provided to program ““Development and support of small business in Leningrad region 2009-2013”.
entrepreneurs and early-stage businesses We as organization implement such business support measures as: distribution of start-up
at a free or reduced cost. grants, compensation of credit rate and leasing expenses, compensations of exhibitor‟s
expenses, compensation of certification expenses and etc.
An export- oriented company -
enterprise which produces goods mainly In regard to the IBI Net, our Institution, with help of our relations in local
for exports, rather than for the domestic municipalities, will make its best in cooperation between business incubators of Leningrad
market. The term is commonly used to region with the neighbors, and try to eliminate the administrative and other obstacles,
describe factories in developing countries. with which SMEs of the region face day-to-day.
producing goods for developed countries. More information on Partner is available in the web-site: www.813.ru
06 | Winter 2010/2011

7. Teknikdalen Foundation initiates,
runs and participates in regional, national
and international projects, as well as
supports new business concepts and
innovations from idea to market.
The long term objective of the foundation is to establish a regional arena
for sustainable growth encompassing entrepreneurship, innovation, new ideas and
SME‟s.
Teknikdalen Foundation provides SME‟s with services to help them grow in a
sustainable and innovative way. Over the past years Teknikdalen Foundation has Besides co-participation in most
developed a structure for new enterprises based on our Business Incubator. The of activities, Riga Technical University‟s
development of the Business Incubator has been successful and is part of the Swedish (RTU) role in the Project is mainly
national Incubator program. related with two activities - activity No
Foundation is a partner in the Enterprise Europe Network which offers support and 3.4 “IBI Net portal” and activity No 2.7
advice to businesses across Europe. “Organization of the Contact
Exchange”. It means that within the
Foundation participates in different international projects which can bring period of December 2010 – December
experience and business contacts to our region. We are currently partners in the 2011 development and launch of the
following projects: JOSEFIN, FEM project, IBI Net with responsibility for the analysis on portal should be managed and
status quo of Business Incubator services and identifying their development needs. assistance to the leading partner in
preparatory works for Contact
Institution has an excellent long term relation with the local, regional and
Exchange planned for March 2012
national policymakers. This gives them a strong influence on the regional policies
should be ensured.
regarding sustainable growth and business development. Teknikdalen Foundation is
partly financed directly by Innovationsbron AB, a government agency with national RTU has an experience in a
responsibility for funding incubators and pre-commercial seed investment. number of projects dealing with
innovation support both on
More information on Teknikdalen Foundation in the web-site:
international and national level. Within
www.teknikdalen.se.
the National State Support program for
SMEs, in 2007 RTU opened and is still
operating Riga Innovation Incubator,
which main goal is to support new
Scientific-Technological Park BNTU innovative companies and spin-offs as
“Polytechnic”is the leading innovative well as to assist in commercializing of
enterprise in the system of the Ministry of scientific researches? It has also
Education in the Republic of Belarus. participated in more than 300 projects
It was created in 1992 as an run in various fields - building and
educational, scientific and production centre, in architecture, engineering, computing
2002 “Polytechnik” got the status of the and information sciences, material and
Scientific & Technological Park – the first in the applied sciences, energy. Several
Belarusian universities. projects have been implemented for
support of SMEs.
In 2008 “Polytechnic” has got status of STP in accordance with the new legislation
(certificate No 1). Since 2004 the Park has the status of the Entrepreneurship Support RTU is willing to benchmark its
Centre. experience in innovation and project
development area as well as to
Mission of the Park is the support of entrepreneurship at the universities, participate in development of new
technology transfer and the organisation of Hi-Tech SMEs. instruments for cross-border
As the main tasks the Park considers the following: cooperation of business incubators,
including IBI Net network and portal.
Providing the information, marketing, engineering, consulting services.
Promoting the international cooperation of the universities, high-tech SMEs and More information about Riga
innovation centres through the bilateral centres activity (China, Latvia, Technical University is available on
Kazakhstan, etc), the exhibitions and event participating. web-site: www.rtu.lv.
Creating the e- platform for R&D data-bases and monitoring of innovation activity
of Universities.
The main tasks in the project are to make the environment for BI in Belarus more BUSINESS DICTIONARY
favourable with the help of knowledge sharing and benchmarking, the dissemination of the
information about project activity and best practice of business-incubation among all An innovation – a process within which
interested parties in Belarus, to involve Belarusian BIs in the network of BIs (IBI Net) and new scientific, technical, social, cultural
thus to improve the business support services and foster innovative SMEs development. or other ideas are developed into a
competitive and marketable product or
More information on Partner is available in the web-site: http://www.metolit.by. service.
07 | Winter 2010/2011

8. DID YOU KNOW?
THE BUSINESS INCUBATION
IN THE REPUBLIC OF BELARUS
The process of business pilot project. Three BIs were organized
incubation in the Republic of on the basis of existing business
Incubator is part of the Hedmark Belarus started in 1997 when the support centers, "Gomel Business
Regulation "On small business Innovation Center” was created as a not-
incubators" was approved by the Council public joint company.
Innovation Center, called also of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus. It
The next step of BIs development
as Gründerhuset (Entrepreneur Hall), called for the recommendations to the
was supported by UNDP and the
offers a stimulating environment, local authorities to provide premises to
Government of the Republic of Belarus in
physical facilities and customized small business incubators for free or
the frame of the project “Creation of
advice to newly established concessional rent, as well as assisting
business incubators on the basis of
businesses. incubators to get land for construction.
restructured enterprises”. In 2004 Small
Networking (Cluster) Hedmark The business-incubators were Business Incubator “Brestsky innovative
Innovation Center is to build business- organized and supported by regional business center” was created by
enhancing and competence-developing authority bodies, universities, research Brestsky Machinery Plant and at present
network of individuals, businesses, institutes, and industrial enterprises. BIs it mainly supports SMEs in industrial field
research and educational institutions and in the university allowed to launch the and provides mostly engineering
public bodies with expertise. Project technologies and knowledge transfer and services. In 2009 “Youth Business-
Management Hedmark Innovation Center to attract researchers and students to Incubator” started in Minsk.
is to identify, organize and implement commercialization of innovations,
At present in Belarus there are
concrete development projects. In addition provide the
to taking their own initiatives, we methodological
established systems and assist individual support for
companies where it is desirable. Education training of
Innovation Centre Hedmark offers training entrepreneurs.
and education within the focus areas. It is The first
particularly relevant to contribute organization that
expertise measures in recruitment and received the
mentoring area above entrepreneurs and status of small
others who require assistance related to business
business development in the region. incubator was the
Consulting Hedmark Innovation Center JSC "Mogilev
offer tailored advice where requested and Technological
needed, or where the employees of the Park" in 1998.
Hedmark Innovation Center have
experience and/or knowledge that make Joint
them sought after in the mark. program of UNDO
and the
Our main scope of focus: Government of
Biotech mainly within plant and the Republic of
animal sector, Belarus
Cultural based and tourist "Formation of
business, support
Games Studio Hamar. A cluster infrastructure and
for gaming and creative arts. SME development
in Belarus" had a
Hedmark Innovation Centre will considerable
participate actively in WP 3 and WP 4 in influence to the
transferring the best practice on development of a
management of the business incubators network of
using modern technologies. The partner business
will participate in activities for incubators in
establishment and sustainability of IBI Belarus. 5
Net. projects were BI - Mogilev Technological Park
More information about Partner: selected for
www.k-h.no granting. BI “Center” on the base 10 business incubators.
of Scientific and Productive Concern
“Belmashpribor”, which at present
successfully works, became the Continuation of the article in the page No 9
08 | Winter 2010/2011

9. Did you KNOW?
The business-incubation in the Republic of Belarus
Continuation from page No 8
They work as FURTHER
commercial
enterprises -
ACTIVITIES OF IBI Net
companies, LLC, Task Force meeting will be organized
divisions of a for sharing of experience among
unitary enterprise, partners and common decision making
state enterprises. on further activities regarding analyses
The “life” of small on status quo of BIs‟ services and
businesses as SMEs‟ demands as well as management
tenants in the capacity and development needs of
incubator lasts 1,8 - BIs. Meeting will take place in
3 years in average Stockholm on January 18, 2011; the
and up to 5 years. host of event will be Teknikdalen
The rent price is bit Foundation.
lower than the
average. Development of IBI Net portal – portal
will be developed on the base of
Premises designed project‟s web-site and will be
of the Belarusian used like virtual platform for
incubators are still cooperation of entrepreneurs as well as
not enough large business incubators and other business
(1500 sq. m. in BI “Mapzao”, Minsk support structures. Testing and launch
average) that is of the portal will be processed during
why most of BIs whole 2011. Responsible partner for
Sources: Yu.Alekseev The History and
concentrate mostly on consulting and legal Experience of Foreign Countries in the development of portal will be Riga
services delivering to both internal and Organization and Activity of Science Parks and Technical University.
external customers. Business-Incubations”//Workshop “The
Experience and Prospects of Organization of New tools of Information and
At the same time the range of Innovation Infrastructure Elements in the communication technologies‟ will be
services provided by incubator, is “classical” Republic of Belarus” proceedings, Mogilev, developed by Centre of Technology
and includes: rent services, business 2006.; M.Gil “About business-incubation in Western- Pomerania in the close
consulting, training and workshops, legal Belarus”// Follow-up “Innovation Management cooperation with other project
services, including registration of small and Transfer of Technologies” proceedings, partners. Tools are forecasted for
business, office services, public utilities Minsk, 2007; 2009 “Youth Business-Incubator”
increasing of effectiveness of
supply, and communication and information has founded
/http://www.interfax.by/article/44475,2009; management and operational capacity
services. of business incubators. Activity will be
http://mapzao.by, http://b-incubator.org;
But the burden of strict legislation www.technopark.by, www.polytechnic.by implemented during the first half year
and the lack of venture capital and financial of 2011.
support for Hi-Tech SMEs and innovation
infrastructure still prevent the fostering of
L. Shmygova
BIs. Project Coordinator, STP
The new employee stood
RECREATION ZONE before the paper shredder
looking confused.
- “Need some help?” a
secretary asked.
- “Yes,” he replied. “How does
this thing work?”
- “Simple,” she said, taking
the fat report from his hand
and feeding it into the
shredder. Riga Planning Region
- “Thanks, but where do the Phone: +371 67559823
copies come out?” Fax: +371 67226431
E-mail: inga.brieze@rpr.gov.lv
Picture made by Web site: www.ibi-net.eu
Randy Glasbergen, 1996
09 | Winter 2010/2011