Smart early export ecosystem development for SMEs

SEED

Within Nordic and peripheral areas (NPA), there are substantial differences in the exports of early growth stage SMEs. SEED project creates path to analyse, co-learn and share knowledge regarding to early export drivers and practices within NPA. The project combines and analyses regional growth and export data of SMEs in NPA, analyses drivers of the growth and facilitates good practice sharing.

Funders

Arctic icebreaking

Project information

Project duration

-

Funded by

European Structural and Investment Funds - INTERREG

Project funder

Interreg NPA

Funding amount

91 993 EUR

Project coordinator

University of Oulu

Unit

University of Oulu, Kerttu Saalasti Institute

Contact information

Contact person

Project description

Within Nordic and peripheral areas (NPA), there are substantial differences in the growth and exports of early growth stage SMEs. These companies have the highest growth and innovation potential, and they are crucial for rural regional economies and territorial cohesion. Exports enlargers markets of rural and remote SMEs critically, and some NPA regions success exceptionally well as growth platforms. The phenomenon and reasons to this, however, are not recognised by research, policy reports or regional strategies. Thus, best practices in supporting sustainable growth and early-stage exports are needed to be recognised and shared within NPA (business services, regional developers, and officials).

SEED project aims to enhance sustainable growth and competitiveness of SMEs and their job creation by increasing understanding of regional export circumstances and supporting entities within NPA by evidence-based knowledge. Combining and analysing regional growth data of SMEs together with regional economic data and sharing reasons and experiences that are found behind these regional differences, the project creates a strong basement for the planned main project. SEED project creates path to analyse, co-learn and share knowledge regarding to early export drivers and practices within NPA by:

  1. Data survey and preliminary statistical analysis to map exports of SMEs and future project focus regions at NPA.
  2. Building regional level co-learning network to recognise, evaluate and share best practices and activities within different profile export regions of SMEs to promote early-stage exports of SMEs in NPA.
  3. Grounding a road map work towards smart early export ecosystem development of SMEs within NPA through active collaboration with partners and stakeholders.

Research groups

Micro-Entrepreneurship Centre MicroENTRE®

Regional Excellence (REx)

Munster Technological University

External link
V-LINC research group of Munster Technological University (MTU) has expertise in economic geography and using such research to inform policy makers will be particularly relevant for our role in leading the writing of the policy plan.

Luleå University of Technology

External link
The Entrepreneurship and Innovation group at Luleå University of Technology (LTU) has expertise in innovation management, business models, regional economic development, new venture creation, and organization capabilities.