ERASMUS FOR YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS Opportunities for GM Tourism SMEs

TOUR EUROPE
MMU Business School - Centre for Enterprise, and partners in Finland, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Sweden Our project is focused on providing opportunities for GM Tourism SMEs but no sector is excluded Approved February 2014 runs for 2 years

Aim: to make European tourism more sustainable

Objectives
to boost entrepreneurship in tourism to promote internationalisation, networking, access to new markets, business opportunities, competitiveness and growth of tourism SMEs to support and complement European level initiatives in sustainable and competitive European tourism to provide an impetus for younger generation in starting-up new companies with the European markets in focus at the start-up phase
Target groups
Food producers Restaurants Bed & breakfasts Rural tourism Travel agencies/ PR agencies

Exchange of entrepreneurs in the tourism industry

The exchange of experience takes place during a stay with the experienced entrepreneur, which helps the new entrepreneur acquire the skills needed to run a small company The host benefits from fresh perspectives on his/her business and gets the opportunities to cooperate with foreign partners or learn about new markets

How does it work?

NEW ENTREPRENEURS - 18+ (no upper limit) - register online - have a business idea/business plan (or < 3 yrs) - assessed & accepted by Intermediary Organisation - matched with appropriate host in partner country - receive a grant and can stay up to 6 months

Benefits host entrepreneurs

Develop international contacts Work with a serious, motivated new entrepreneur with fresh ideas Acquire knowledge about foreign markets Find innovative solutions to improve your business Discover potential cooperation opportunities Expand your business to another country

Who can participate?

As a host entrepreneur you can participate in the programme if: You are a permanent resident in one of the European Union countries; You are the owner-manager of a small or medium enterprise OR a person directly involved in entrepreneurship at SME board level; You have been running a company for more than 3 years; You are willing to share your knowledge and experience with a new entrepreneur and act as a mentor.

Process for interested hosts

Register online your details and give a short summary about you and your experience in business A new entrepreneur wishing to find a company like yours will request contact with you You decide between you if it is of mutual benefit You work together to identify a plan for activity during the stay The new entrepreneur receives a grant and starts the exchange (1-6 months / average 3) NO PAYMENT REQUIRED

For more information

www.erasmus-entrepreneurs.eu Or contact Russell Yates at r.yates@mmu.ac.uk