Advisors from Optima Partners observe that more and more companies that have received EU funding are deciding to optimize their business processes. SMEs have already left the times of large subsidies behind them. Under the Innovative Economy Program, the Managing Authority approved 5,931 projects for the amount of PLN 27.84 billion, which accounts for as much as 72.13 percent of the allocation from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) – this is the status as of October 8, 2010. This year’s budgets for individual EU funding competitions may not match those offered in previous years, but national and regional programs still offer options that can significantly influence the development of small and medium-sized enterprises.
– Enterprises that have received EU funding and have invested in the optimization of business processes do not stand still – they earn quality certificates and awards, and also have serious plans for future development. Such an approach should also characterize those companies that have won or will win funding through competitions in 2010. It is worth thinking about the next steps right now – says Mariusz Pawłowski, managing partner at Optima Partners.
Until the end of September, companies could apply for support for projects based on the provision of e-services, which must be innovative at the national or global level, as well as aimed at a group whose needs have not been met by other companies. Enterprises that took part in the competition must demonstrate the profitability of the project, thanks to which PARP enables the development of truly inventive entrepreneurs whose companies generate steady revenue. By the end of 2010, companies can apply for a technology credit to support the implementation of innovative technologies under measure 4.3 of the Innovative Economy Operational Program (POIG). In this case, the entire investment risk is borne by the entrepreneur. The program is intended for the implementation of technological investments aimed at purchasing and implementing one’s own or a new technology used globally for no longer than 5 years and launching the production of new or significantly improved goods, processes, or services based on it.
– Advisors from Optima Partners observe an increased interest in the process of business process optimization on the part of enterprises that have received EU funding. We assume that companies that win competitions this year will also want to use the services of experienced business advisors. It is particularly important that entrepreneurs must demonstrate that their ideas were successful and that their companies are profitable – says Mariusz Pawłowski. – Entrepreneurs are increasingly aware of how important it is to organize processes in a company. The development that was initiated by EU funding should be continued through appropriate business decisions – adds Mariusz Pawłowski .
EU funding is an important, but not the only step that leads to the development of an enterprise. Companies should use additional funds and properly manage their processes to be able to climb the next rungs of the business ladder.