WIREDGOV

Fourteen projects have been shortlisted for the 2012 European Enterprise Promotion Awards (EEPA). Over 402 projects competed in this year’s national competitions for a chance to enter. Slightly more than in 2011, the Awards also received entries from a record-breaking 30 European countries – all 27 EU Member States as well as Croatia, Serbia and Turkey. A high-level jury representing business, government and academia reviewed the 57 national winner entries and established a shortlist of 14 nominees in five categories. The winners for each of the five categories will be announced at the first ever SME Assembly on 15 November 2012 in Cyprus, to which all nominees will be invited. One project will also receive the prestigious Grand Jury Prize.

Category 1: Promoting Entrepreneurial Spirit

Belgium: Supporting pre-start-ups in Belgium

The Bryo initiative aims to support pre-start-ups and was developed and run by Voka, an enterprise network based in Flanders. The initiative helps inventors, researchers, developers and business specialists make their projects not only more ambitious and innovative but also more realistic. In order to help its participants succeed, Bryo carefully matches them with experienced entrepreneurs who volunteer to act as a sounding board and coaching group. So far, Bryo has had over 600 participants and helped create over 200 new companies.

Click here for full press release