Good practice:

Gründerwerkstatt Young Companies

"Young companies" is supporting the business start-up process and covers the rural region where there is a high need for such support but less mobility of people living there, compared to dense urban areas.

Funded by the Brandenburg ESF OP, the GP offers courses, assistance and essential technical equipment free of charge, such as a working space with computers, printer and telephone. In addtion, the GP creates a support system of the ESF and MASGF Land Brandenburg (Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs, Health, Women and Family), chambers, unemployment agencies, job centers.from unemployment agency, job center.

SERVICE: Support from the initial idea to an own company, getting ready for founding, securing one’s livelihood and how to be your own boss. Mainly through consultation and support and monitoring. Using external consultants and workshops, seminars (also specific ones regarding taxation and law). Only an idea is necessary to have a close long-term support for all matters possible.

Formal application at “Gründerwerkstatt young companies”
Criteria:
• maximum 30 years old
• unemployed or threatened by unemployment (close to graduation, short-term contracts, thinking about quitting the job...)
• residence and location of starting up the business are both in Brandenburg
• existing business idea

Human resource: 1 part-time project manager, 4 location managers & 15 consultants. Financed by the Ministries of Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Women and Family Brandenburg and Economic Affairs and Energy Brandenburg with ESF and through State of Brandenburg. Total budget: 600.000 € (3 yrs).

- 1112 participants over all locations
- 622 start-up foundations
- 76% are still on the market a year after start showing recruitment, apprenticeships and growth
- Webinars (currently in first run) for less mobile people are in high demand

Founders need grants, as soon as these are not available due to political changes less people dare to start a business. The labor market situation is crucial to young entrepreneurs, it can promote start ups due to distress/ necessity and makes a difference in the number of participants.

Success factors are to work with different concepts to promote brainstorming activities, exchange & networking; keeping the participants numbers high to meet the quotas for foundations (40% of the participants should start a business). Open dialogue and honesty are important as young companies wants participants to start a successful business and run it for years. That is honest feedback on business idea: whether it has prerequisites for a success or not to move forward with it.
Critical assessment of problems or core issues is needed and Giving the participant a starting point or different approaches and homework to do research in solving the issue. Quality control of the process and all external consultants. They have to have experience in the field and their references have to be checked upon a catalogue of criteria (scorecard). Using fairs to get more attention to the practice is useful as well as testimonials/entrepreneur portraits to advertise for and represent the practice.