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CLUB HOUSE-Sofia Tech Park services during COVID-19
Published on 08 April 2021
Bulgaria
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About this good practice
STP changed the approach in delivering the services to innovative and technological startups and SMEs without stopping them despite the COVID-19- most of the events, training, meetings, became digital and hybrid for the purpose of serving the ecosystem needs. The quick adaptation to the requirements for remote work included ClubHouse which is a part of Groworking Space and is multifunctional for formal and informal meetings, promotion of products; team building. Club House serves the mission to bring together the scientific and entrepreneurial communities to collaborate effectively.
Sofia Tech Park also facilitates and supports various technological Clubs to provide regular meetings. In response to the COVID-19 challenges with the first lockdown, the Club meetings are being held online through video conference platforms. The Club life continued by organizing virtual events: online meetings, training, courses, consultations. Club House as a part of the Business Incubator intended to stimulate and facilitate the exchange of knowledge, ideas, concepts, experience between academics and business in order to develop new projects. Equipped for web streaming Digital Studio meets the needs of information, communication, online events of all stakeholders, companies, startups, and science institutions that are involved in the community. Mobile technical equipment ensured flexibility in arranging event spaces within Club House and out of it depending on needs and participants.
Sofia Tech Park also facilitates and supports various technological Clubs to provide regular meetings. In response to the COVID-19 challenges with the first lockdown, the Club meetings are being held online through video conference platforms. The Club life continued by organizing virtual events: online meetings, training, courses, consultations. Club House as a part of the Business Incubator intended to stimulate and facilitate the exchange of knowledge, ideas, concepts, experience between academics and business in order to develop new projects. Equipped for web streaming Digital Studio meets the needs of information, communication, online events of all stakeholders, companies, startups, and science institutions that are involved in the community. Mobile technical equipment ensured flexibility in arranging event spaces within Club House and out of it depending on needs and participants.
Expert opinion
Innovation tends to thrive when entrepreneurs can openly collaborate and share new ideas. This is evidenced by the countless events, conferences, competitions, and shared workspaces that have sprung up to facilitate this innovative process. However, COVID-19 has forced policymakers and entrepreneurs to re-evaluate how they collaborate in the absence of physical meetings, events, and shared spaces. Sofia Tech Park is a good example of adapting a successful support model to an online format so that they can maintain the collaborative environment that is necessary to spur innovation in the start-up community. Further, it sets a good example for similar organizations who have been impacted by covid lockdowns to pivot from physical meeting spaces and events to a hybrid format which integrates digital meeting spaces. Such a good practice will be beneficial for policymakers, SMEs, and entrepreneurs alike who wish to provide a platform where innovative ideas can be cultivated. Lastly, the indicators suggest that despite COVID-19, activities such as online consultations, seminars, conferences, and start-up competitions are still relevant as evidenced by the number of participants and events hosted by Sofia Tech Park in the last 1 ½ year.
Works at
Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform
Resources needed
The CLub House is a part of the GROWorking space of the Sofia Tech Park and was its own financing project. The development of both spaces is implemented by the "Business development" department of STP JSC with its own human, financial and technical resources.
Evidence of success
Club House Digital studio has hosted a lot of events for a year:
20 startups have presented their projects to the audience, investors, stakeholders ;
8 broadcasts- conducted entirely in EN;
39 clubs broadcast releases ;
75 000 viewers of the broadcasted events live and of the recorded versions
66 events organized by state organizations, foreign organizations, NGOs, corporate sector, startups;
75 hours content
20 startups have presented their projects to the audience, investors, stakeholders ;
8 broadcasts- conducted entirely in EN;
39 clubs broadcast releases ;
75 000 viewers of the broadcasted events live and of the recorded versions
66 events organized by state organizations, foreign organizations, NGOs, corporate sector, startups;
75 hours content
Potential for learning or transfer
Club House -The synergy between businesses, industries, public institutions, private organizations in the COVID-19 situation was ensured. Digital events were available in live web streaming and recorded versions.
10 Clubs of interests: support the flow of information; exchange of ideas and solutions: AL Club, Anonymous Innovators Club, Biotechnology and life-science Club, Bulgarian Science Club, Business Club, Drone + Club, Media Bricks Club, Robo Club, Space Club, Sprouted for Life Club.
Digital studio( ClubHouse)-support for companies to organize their digital events.
Hybrid events: solutions for flexible approach and support for SMEs and start-ups to reach their goals in a pandemic situation, to adapt the situation and business climate by focusing on segments; new products; development, business digitalization, changing the sale strategy; marketing; new measures to retain customers and attract new ones.
10 Clubs of interests: support the flow of information; exchange of ideas and solutions: AL Club, Anonymous Innovators Club, Biotechnology and life-science Club, Bulgarian Science Club, Business Club, Drone + Club, Media Bricks Club, Robo Club, Space Club, Sprouted for Life Club.
Digital studio( ClubHouse)-support for companies to organize their digital events.
Hybrid events: solutions for flexible approach and support for SMEs and start-ups to reach their goals in a pandemic situation, to adapt the situation and business climate by focusing on segments; new products; development, business digitalization, changing the sale strategy; marketing; new measures to retain customers and attract new ones.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Sofia Tech Park
Bulgaria
Yugozapaden
Contact
executive director