World experience of institutional support of entrepreneurs
We use the best experience of similar institutions in Poland, Georgia, the USA and other countries.
In developed countries, entrepreneurs receive significant support and assistance from the state. And the state, in turn, considers it its duty.
In the EU and many other countries, the state policy of business development is formed by the central executive body in the field of economy, and the implementation is entrusted to the relevant agencies of business development.
Experience of Poland: the Polish Agency for Entrepreneurship Development has been operating since 2000.
The Agency participates in the implementation of national and international programs funded by EU funds, the state budget and multiannual programs of the European Commission.
And operates in several strategic areas. In particular, training and skills development of entrepreneurs through online courses. The agency also assists government agencies in creating innovation policy, promotes innovative solutions in the public sector, supports the innovative activities of enterprises. For example, it annually organizes the Polish Product of the Future competition, in which more than 1,200 projects have been presented throughout history. And also holds periodic meetings within the "Club of Innovative Enterprises".
The agency is also the initiator of the creation of a national network of small and medium business services, national innovation centers and consulting centers. These institutions offer consulting, information, training and financial services free of charge or at discounted rates.
Experience of Georgia, which ranks 7th in the world in the ranking of ease of doing business: in 2014, the Agency for Entrepreneurship Development was established.
This state institution promotes entrepreneurship, exports and improving the quality of Georgian products. The agency aims to make Georgian companies more competitive and able to sell their products in various markets.
To do this, the agency has launched a program "Produce in Georgia" - 8-10% of the interest rate on the loan or 12% for leasing will be covered by the government within 24 months from the date of the loan. And expanded this program by adding a component for financing the hotel business (so that regional businesses could build hotels co-financed with the state), as well as a component to promote the film industry "Film in Georgia" (reimbursement to filmmakers up to 25% of costs).
Experience of the USA: as early as 1953, when entrepreneurial initiative was illegal in Soviet Ukraine, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) had already been established in America.
The institution helps Americans start, build and grow businesses. Today it provides:
- free business consultations from partner organizations and experts
- loans for entrepreneurs
- loans for housing and business
- programs from the federal government
"Soft" support for entrepreneurs in the form of training and consulting is implemented mainly through small business development centers. The creation of this network of small business development centers began in the 1970s. Last year, the Association of Small Business Development Centers in the United States celebrated its 40th anniversary. This is 1,000 centers across the country.
Every year since 1963, the U.S. Small Business Administration has coordinated National Small Business Week and highlights the influence of prominent entrepreneurs and small business owners from all 50 US states. It also holds National Veterans Small Business Week and supports Women's Small Business Month. And with private companies, has been implemented for 10 years the "Small Business Saturday", when buy products and services from small businesses, and 70% of US consumers know about the Small Business Saturday.
Entrepreneurs founded a bike shop in New York State more than 10 years ago. They used free business consulting services from a local small business development center to create a business plan. And two years later, they added the sale of snacks and coffee drinks to their business model. Thanks to the Emerging Leaders program, they developed a business development plan. And under the mentorship of the mentor, they purchased a 10,000-square-foot warehouse, which allowed them to display hundreds of bicycles and expand the repair shop.
Entrepreneurs selling smoked meat ran the business during the first year with one meat smokehouse with volunteer labor and $500 of capital. Then they worked with a local small business development center to develop a business plan. And a year later they expanded their business by having a food van and providing catering services. And two years later, they used a loan provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration to purchase equipment for the restaurant.