The ACCELERATOR project, part of the INTERREG Danube Transnational Program, aims to enhance access to innovation finance by improving institutional frameworks and policy instruments. It focuses on developing practical acceleration services and influencing strategic frameworks at both regional and program levels.
Key objectives include:
- Supporting SMEs: Assisting small and medium-sized enterprises that require capital but lack the necessary skills to acquire it.
- Empowering Business Support Organizations: Implementing new and improved acceleration services within these organizations and connecting them through a transnational network across the Danube region.
- Engaging Equity Financing Institutions: Integrating these institutions into regional innovation ecosystems to facilitate better access to funding.
- Involving the Public Sector: Recognizing the growing importance of equity programs funded by European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) and ensuring public sector participation.
The project emphasizes a strong transnational approach. Regions with well-performing innovation systems and partners experienced in acceleration schemes collaborate with less experienced regions or partners. This collaboration includes joint actions and knowledge sharing to elevate the overall quality of acceleration services.
As a result, ACCELERATOR aims to implement new acceleration programs in less experienced regions and enhance existing programs in more experienced areas, leading to a higher number and improved quality of services. The partnership actively involves public bodies to channel joint policy recommendations, promoting the integration of acceleration services into ESIF measures throughout the Danube region. Virtech, as a subcontractor, contributed to the project by developing the platform and providing training services. Their efforts included creating a series of training videos, which are available in a dedicated YouTube playlist. For more detailed information about the ACCELERATOR project, you can visit the official project page on the INTERREG Danube website.