Good practice:

300+ Transport SMEs

Entrepreneurship is prone to failure when done in isolation. 300+ Transport SMEs is a initiative done by RDA SWO in order to allow the relevant Transport-related SMEs in South-West Oltenia region to become part of a regional ecosystem related to Transport sectors. This initiative started in 2018 in Craiova. It offered feedback sessions in the first phase, facilitating the creation of interdisciplinary teams. Selected SMEs are then admitted, followed by 3 month cycle of mentoring and coaching, during which the teams work on their prototype, business model, presentation, long term vs short term objectives, guided by seasoned entrepreneurs.
Beneficiaries of the initiative are entrepreneurs, technical staff fitting one of three recommended profiles: entrepreneur, engineer, designer.
In South-West Oltenia region the 300+ SMEs in transport-related sectors initiative is run by RDA South-West Oltenia and five county volunteers. The selected teams receive support services from public organizations such as RDA South-West Oltenia and professional associations.

The initiative is run through collaboration of local SMEs and investors. Human resources involved are 6 staff from RDA SWO and additionally 5 members from Transport SMEs. Local authorities provide non-monetary support.

Results in the past years in South-West Oltenia Region:
 2018: more than 300 SMEs in Transport-related sectors are selected in South-West Oltenia, according to NACE code, with relevant on market business and turnover
 2019: 5 teams started collaboration to prepare their future work in international projects
 2020: reviewing the initial list of SMEs teams in order to develop more specific collaboration framework at regional level. Every 3-month period, the business results are changed.

The main sponsors of 300+ Transport SMEs are interested in the market and technology potential of participating teams. In fact, during the initiative, the teams are mentored by experts in project development.
Additionally, the business support organizations such as RDA SW Oltenia are supporting the initiative and provide support services to the selected teams.