Good practice:

SPEED UP PROGRAMME

Problem Addressed:

One of the main sectors hit by the crisis was the construction sector, having been one of the most important economic engines of the Region of Murcia (and Spain).

Construction sector counted with a wide variety of high-skilled professionals (architects, engineers, economists ...). SPEED UP Program is part of a Plan to support Entrepreneurs launched during the crisis in 2009-2013, with the objective of boosting regional business sector through the promotion and support of entrepreneurial initiatives.

The Programme works in three different axes:
- Promotion of the entrepreneurial spirit in society
- upport for the creation and consolidation of companies
- Coordination of the entrepreneur support system

How Objectives are reached:

The final objective was not only the creation of companies but mainly increase the capacity building of professionals with skills and contacts to “re-skill” and “up-skill” them for their professional lives.

Participants attend both group and individual sessions, receiving training in entrepreneurial skills (teamwork, motivation ...), they learned business model design methodologies, benchmarketing and get in touch with the stakeholders involved in the regiona entrepreneurship ecosystem (BICs, Business Angels, Scientifc Park…)
Stakeholders: Local Authorities (Business Support Regional Ministry), National Authorities (Ministry of Industry and SMEs) and colleges and clubs of professionals.

Costs of developing and rolling out each Programme edition (10 weeks):
- Project Director in charge of designing the program, looking for trainers, selection of participants: € 10,000
- Trainers,: € 15,000
- Rental of spaces and materials: € 5,000
Total cost: € 30,000

- Professional reinsertion of more than 200 participants.
- Collaboration with 20 Professional Colleges and Clubs.
- More than 500 participation requests.
- Recognised brand.
- More than 20 companies have been created by participants (like Drónica or DEANIMAL.ES), boosting local economy.
- In 2012, the Regional Plan Emprendemos obtained the European Entrepreneurial Region (EER) distinction, which identifies and rewards regions with most innovative entrepreneurial policies.

- Difficulties in coordinating stakeholders.
- Design very practical training materials and approach .
- Low motivation in participants due to personal situations after being fired.
- Engaging financial entities with the Programme to fund business projects that have followed Speed up Programme.

- Professional reinsertion of more than 200 participants.
- More than 500 participation requests.
- Collaboration with 20 Professional Colleges and Clubs.
- More than 20 companies have been created by participants (like Drónica or DEANIMAL.ES), boosting local economy.
- Recognised brand.
- In 2012, the Regional Plan Emprendemos obtained the European Entrepreneurial Region (EER) distinction, which identifies and rewards regions with most innovative entrepreneurial policies.