COBIK Conference 2012: “Good entrepreneur always finds money”

Moreover he has quite a good knowledge of Slovenia since he took part in valuation of our country by the OECD. He understands the dire situation in which our country has found itself, so he offered us some personal tips on what to do in order to grow successful SMEs (from Stampfer’s presentation):established to promote science and research in Vienna. The Fund’s funding tools and methods are designed to strengthen top research in Vienna. The WWTF obtains its funds from the “Privatstiftung zur Verwaltung von Anteilsrechten”, a private foundation in the financial sector which was set up in order to manage equity interests. Stampfer explained the four main ways of financing SMEs in Austria namely innovation voucher, seed financing, basic programs and competence centers.
“Consider to focus more on simple, single firm funding instruments to allow firms to climb the first steps on the innovation staircase:

• Innovation vouchers, single firm projects, HR measures
• Consider trimming the network / intermediary jungle

Consider to continue and strengthen the use of Structural Funds for a few big initiatives 

• CCs and similar programs for 2014-2020
• Might be used as structuring devices (but cannot substitute a university and a PRO reform)”

 

 

 

“Better to invest in a company with good people and bad idea, than in a company with bad people and good idea.” Franz Krejs

The last speaker was a representative from a venture capital itself Franz Krejs, ph. d. He mentioned some differences in how venture capital firms operate in the States and what is the state of venture capital in Europe. The European venture capital firms are “composed” in 80% of economists and business people, whereas the US firms employ predominantly scientists. He stated this as a possible reason for less successful European counterparts. He made it clear that the capital does exist, only the investors are nowadays very reserved and that there is a certain lack of trust present.

He explained that presentation of the idea or product to the investors is a sort of an art. One has to generate interest, has to know its product, its pros and cons etc. And one has to have a good business plan. Without it, there is no chance in acquiring capital.

“There’s more money available than ever.” A. Štrancer

In the discussion part of the conference one person stuck out. It was an entrepreneur Aleš Štraucer, who has with his candid view caught sympathies of the audience. He said that situation in Slovenia is unbearable and that Slovenes have to let the country fail, and only then can the county be rebuilt new. “A good businessman should take care for his company’s wellbeing and not for the government’s one.” He told us how he couldn’t get the financing in Slovenia, that his project was not good enough. So he got the investing capital in Japan. Money does exist. One just has to find it.

In the exclusive post-conference statement for EFNews president of COBIK Rebeka Koncilja commented on her impressions: “Goal of this conference, that is to acquire an in-depth view in relations between successful entrepreneurs with good ideas on one side and sources of financing on the other side, was accomplished. We helped establish good relations, for which we certainly hope to last for years ahead. I am especially pleased with the opening statement of acting director for Higher education and Science at the Ministry of Education Borut Rončević. I got the picture that they at the Ministry understand the potentials Slovenia has and are willing to finance the projects, which have great potentials.”

Kristian Jerebič, efnews