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There is a very well developed structure of European supporting networks (BICs and EBN, EENs), domestic support (NCPs, EICs), direct support services (SME Techweb, IPR Helpdesk) and some bottom-up initiatives such as the Gate2Growth project, however there are still no one-stop-shop service platforms available to the SME sector, a weakness our model aims to redress.
General support
Support for innovation and research
Outside the networks directly linked to FP or the European Union, there are other networks where information and support is available for SMEs as well. Here we list two examples:
- The International Network for Small and Medium sized Enterprises (INSME). The Network comprises at present 76 members based in 30 countries in 5 continents.
- European Association of Development Agencies (EURADA): EURADA has a membership of about 150 regional development agencies from across the European Union, as well as strong international links through the Economic Development Council (IEDC) and through economic development networks in China, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.
Other examples include the European Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (EVCA), European Business Angels Network (EBAN), European Association of Mutual Guarantee Societies (AECM), et cetera.
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