The system of business environment institutions (BEI) plays an important role in the diffusion of technology process and assists the innovative entreprenuership development. Its support is especially important in the emerging areas of innovation like scale-ups. This group of SMEs is considered to be another way of innovation but still faces many difficulties in development. At the same time, according to the research results pointed in documents shown in section 1.3.2 and data available in the work program despite the number and variety of BEI they are still not sufficient enough for the appropriate innovation stimulation (includint effective support for scale-ups) in the partners states, which at the same time affects the level an quality of innovation and the competitiveness of the European economy. That is way TARR, TPlj, CTRIA, BARR and IRP decided to join their forces and by sharing knowledge and experience try to contribute in solving problem mentioned above. The main objective of this project is to develop through the lifetime of the project (9 months) basing on the scaleups analysis and the evaluation of current system tools and instruments, recommendations for improvement of the scaleups development support system for entrepreneurship policy makers and specialized business environment institutions operating as scale-ups supporters followed by dissemination of gained knowledge and experiences. The goals of the project will be achevied with the use of Twinning Advanced method. It assumes the cooperation of equal partners. Therefore it is possible not only to exchange and disseminate existing solutions but also to develop tecommendations for the new ones, which will eventually become godd practices in supporting first of all scale-up and secondly the innovation processes in general. Thus the main and specific objectives the work-flow of SCALESCRAPERS will comprise a one phase process, whoch is the development and dissemination of Design Options Paper.

Although EU programmes and policy makers have been encouraging the potential for cooperation between different startup ecosystems - including within the Alpe Adria region-, still no strong coordination mechanisms yet exist that would ensure a streamlining between regional, national and EU initiatives in support of innovative businesses. The basic TransUP concept is to tackle the challenge of making the Alpe Adria region an attractive hub for innovative entrepreneurs and investors, where the ecosystem made of actors and services devoted to support the creation and development of new businesses is really collaborative and transnational. Technology startups in the peripheral European territories like the Alpine Adriatic usually look to Western Europe or to the USA rather than to neighboring countries for models of change and development. The overall objective of the TransUP project is thus to collaboratively address a common innovation support challenge and to peer-review transnational support services and co-design an innovative and systemic Crossregional Softlanding Programme for enhancing a multicultural and international driven attitude among startups in order to improve their survival chances on the global market. The Crossregional Softlanding Programme is aimed at offering to startups from neighboring regions Carinthia (Austria), Friuli Venezia Giulia (Italy), Slovenia and the newly entered EU member state Croatia, the possibility to develop their company within a multicultural environment. The expected result is the activation of a comprehensive international attitude in all aspects of startup business management with positive effects from market reach to competitive strength. Specific focus will be dedicated to startups with reference to the Alpe Adria region but the recommendations developed in the Design Option Paper will be valid for all sectors and EU geographical location.

FoodCoP is an innovative venture to enhance interregional collaboration among Startup Villages to ignite the transformation of food systems. At the heart of this initiative lies the challenge of aligning diverse stakeholder interests and catalysing sustainable growth through the principles of the circular bioeconomy. The project aims to deliver three main impacts: establishing a robust collaborative framework, fostering sustainable food system transformations, and enhancing knowledge and awareness of circular bioeconomy solutions among rural innovators. Methodologically, FoodCoP unfolds in 3 phases. First, it lays the groundwork by establishing a conceptual framework and stakeholder engagement, drawing insights from best practices to shape a collaborative agenda and design pilot projects. The subsequent phase transitions into developing a transformative Community of Practice (CoP), emphasising resource optimisation, collective learning, and implementing co-creation methodologies to bolster innovation. The final phase focuses on sustainability and resilience, highlighting the role of FoodCoP ambassadors and leveraging dissemination and communication activities to share successes and insights. FoodCoP comprises a diverse network of stakeholders, including Startup Villages, regional networks, clusters, SMEs, research centres, and knowledge and innovation communities. Standing uniquely positioned to drive this initiative. With its comprehensive approach, FoodCoP aims to revolutionise the food industry's innovation landscape and ensure its impacts resonate well beyond the project's lifetime. The collaboration brings together a wealth of expertise and resources, promising to create a sustainable and inclusive ecosystem that supports the transformation of food systems through circular bioeconomy principles. FoodCoP will redefine the parameters of interregional collaboration, making a significant contribution towards a sustainable, resilient, and innovative food industry.

The overall concept of MY-GATEWAY builds around the growth potential boost of CEE start-ups on a pan-European level by exploiting the Consortium partners' Startup Europe experience (as former coordinators and partners of the ICT-13 projects) and by implementing actions aimed at creating new opportunities and synergies within and beyond the MY-GATEWAY’s ecosystem. As a result of the project the CEE start-ups and the startup support organizations representing them will have better access to networks, finance and talent and will acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to maximise their growth potential. Moreover, the project will actively contribute to the expansion of the Startup Europe Community by opening the GATE of the Startup Europe to the Balkans. MY-GATEWAY involved the leading startup support organizations from Serbia, Macedonia and Bosnia-Herzegovina (as members of its Balkan Committee) who will continuously follow up the project activities, facilitate the knowledge transfer - MY-GATEWAY KEY - to the Balkan region and mobilize the Balkan start-ups to set up the "Startup Europe comes to the Balkans" Network.

EPIC-X aims to accelerate and unlock excellence by connecting regional innovation ecosystems across the EU, building on strategic areas of regional strength and specialisation, and addressing the innovation divide and underrepresentation of talents within the European Union. The project enlists a diverse and strong multi-actor interregional ecosystem network that resonates in a Pan-European alliance of interconnected ecosystems. Comprising 16 ecosystem builders hailing from the16 moderate and innovator countries, the basis of this network is set to widely expand to all regions and engage quadruple helix players in collaborative efforts of co-creation, co-implementation, and co-assessment of pioneering acceleration+ programme, which encompasses a FSTP scheme to support deep tech women-led start-ups. Embedded within this comprehensive programme are cross-fertilisation activities and an innovative mobility scheme aimed at the selected start-ups. Ecosystem builders and members of the network will have dedicated opportunities for collaboration and knowledge exchange through tailored actions. With a wealth of experience, the consortium, comprising 13 entities, will spearhead efforts to develop and disseminate materials that underpin a comprehensive communication, dissemination, and exploitation strategy aimed at amplifying the impact of the EPIC-X. This includes the production of a white paper containing policy recommendations and an article/paper to highlight key insights. Built around the three pillars of deep tech, women-led start-ups, and smart specialisation strategies, the project activities and synergies fostered by a multi-layer glocal approach will create a favourable environment for local-placed innovation and sustainable and inclusive growth.