Connect Estonia is a network organisation which combines various capabilities often needed in a growth industry.
In general, the persons related to us may be divided into the following groups:
- Start-up
A start-up company is often in a situation where there is a good idea and enthusiasm, but little resources for effective realisation of the idea. There may be a lack of funds upon initiation and development of the company as well as a lack of knowledge about the market. A lack of resources does not mean that the business will not take off, but it could take considerably more time and be a lot more expensive than upon involvement of suitable resources.
Through its activities, organised events and, first and foremost, the Springboard Programme Connect Estonia grants start-up companies access to the information which will help attract these required resources. Experienced entrepreneurs, specialists and executives help to find the answers to the questions raised, such as: what the primary activities are, how an investor can be found, how to sell to foreign markets, etc. The company must invest its most valuable resources – time and good will – into the process, but the investment is worthwhile and pays off!
- Growth company
A growth company is often in a situation where the organisation cannot keep up with its growth and amidst the noise created by various problems it may prove to be difficult to make the right decisions, which ensure further growth. The company may find itself in a situation where further growth is necessary and possible, but the company lacks resources for overcoming them.
Quite surprisingly, many worries of growth companies are very similar and follow a certain common pattern. With suitable expertise and experience it is possible to identify and overcome the main hindrances to development. The eyes of a neutral and experienced bystander helps to analyse the situation and allows seeing the consequences of the decisions made in the future. Often, a considerable hindrance to development is the lack of a suitable contact. The events and the Springboard Programme organised by Connect Estonia provide an excellent opportunity to establish such contacts.
- Service provider
A growth industry is an area where many interests intersect.Often it involves a need for investments, communication with representatives of a foreign market, protection of technological solutions, etc. Service providers, in this context, financial institutions, law offices, patent offices and consultants usually have the resources that are needed in a growth industry.
Through the Springboard Programme Connect Estonia offers the opportunity to participate in a discussion of projects which might have potential commercial value for the service provider, whereby a quick, thorough and substantive insight of the main advantages and disadvantages of the project is given with the help of other experts in the field.The discussions can always increase the knowledge of the participants and allow them to establish valuable contacts.Participation in the events of Connect Estonia and supporting them allows introducing the name of the service provider among the target groups and gives the possibility to be present at the birth and implementation of the newest business ideas.
- Investor
Growth companies are the focal point of the activities of Connect Estonia and often such companies need additional financing. In case of relatively low risks the financing may be confined to a bank loan, but in case of higher risks an investor may be needed.
The Springboard Programme of Connect Estonia allows the investor to participate in a thorough analysis of potential investment projects with the help of reliable partners. Such an analysis will bring out the related risks and give an expert assessment of the possibilities of optimising such risks.
- Researcher
Research work often has results for which a successful commercial application may be found. However, there are many hindrances to the application of such results, because in addition to the scientific know-how, developing a practical output usually requires considerable financial investments and a lot of business resources. Furthermore, sometimes a research idea needs to be translated into a language which is more understandable to the potential investors. A researcher also needs contacts, which allow him or her to find those to whom the idea can be introduced.
With the help of the network of Connect Estonia it is possible to gather the required expertise, which makes the initiation of application projects real. The suitable business know-how allows foreseeing the commercial outputs of the scientific expert knowledge, translates the research results into the business language and helps attracting the means necessary for implementation of the idea. The Connect network is based on technological knowledge and through the network it is possible to involve top specialists, entrepreneurs and representatives of companies, whose skills and contacts may bring about private sector financing of the research work.