10 November 2008 | Lyon, France
The contest was organized within the framework of the EurOffice Project, where 80 Science Parks from Europe and the rest of world have partnered for creating a set of new venture incubation practices in globalization. The project is partly funded by the European Commission to promote dynamic international networking opportunities and to open international markets for small innovative firms, start-ups and SMEs.
TechIndia Private Limited, a start-up promoted by TREC-STEP (Tiruchi Regional Engineering College - Science and Technology Entrepreneurs' Park) has been adjudged as one of the three best success stories resulting from the usage of EOS (EurOffice Services).
The INNO Action EurOffice Services, an EOS initiative (www.euroffice-services.eu), promotes dynamic international networking opportunities for innovative start-ups and Small and Medium Enterprises. EOS members represent more than 80 science parks, incubators, and innovation centres from the European Union, China, India, United States, South America, Turkey, and elsewhere, said R.M.P. Jawahar, Executive Director, TREC-STEP, adding that 3,000 entrepreneurs operating in sectors such as nanotechnology, aeronautics, ICT, photonics, and manufacturing have already benefited from EOS.
The initiative offers comprehensive integrated services, all designed to facilitate the globalisation process of companies and accelerating the route to market through: Soft Landing, for the best start in the international world; Business Boosting, for improving the home-site before expanding outward; and Networking, for finding the right people and contacts.
In the internal contest that EOS launched in this framework, the most active members reported significant results and impacts for their companies and the EU economy. Of a total of 55 success stories filed, 11 were short listed. They were analysed and scored by a jury comprising an external consultant, a representative of EBN (European Business Innovation Centre Network) and the EC officer in charge of EOS. "It was a real satisfaction to see how small companies benefited from EOS for their international development and access to finance" said Alan Barrell, Professor at Cambridge University. "It's also a great satisfaction to see how small companies from Asia decided to set operations in EU and create jobs there" said Marija Popovic, EC officer at DG Enterprise and Industry, reflecting on the award of best success story resulting from the usage of EOS Soft Landing and Business boosting services given to TRECSTEP, Trichy, India for its contribution to the success of Pure Tech India Private Limited start-up.
The best success story award resulting from extensive usage and transfer of EOS services was awarded to Technopolis Ventures Limited, Finland. And the best success story resulting from cooperation between EOS members for allowing a start-up to access early stage finance was awarded to CICOMOrganization, Sophia Antipolis, France and 13P -Innovative Enterprise Incubator of the Politecnico di Torino, Italy.
This article was originally published in the Hindu Times on October 30, 2008.