The BSC Kragujevac as a part of a wider regional network of Business Start-up Centers and Incubators in South Eastern Europe (BSC Network) was established on May 1, 2007. The Centre is supported by SPARK (formerly ATA - The Academic Training Association) through a grant of the Dutch Government as well as in kind contributions by all project’s partners. There is a Coordination Committee represented by all partners and a project manager responsible for overall management of the Centre.

The Business Start-Up Centre (BSC) Kragujevac supports young people (up to 35 years) to establish their own SMEs. In order to create 10 new SMEs, the BSC organizes Business Plan Competitions and training sessions for actual and potential entrepreneurs. Each year, BSC-Kragujevac offers individual consultancy, free registration, micro credit and Business Incubation space and services to newly established companies from the Business Plan competition.

The BSC Kragujevac enhances capacity of the local partner institutions by supporting them to develop and introduce new and innovative management and IT solutions and by supporting the University of Kragujevac to adjust its curricula to European standards to promote entrepreneurial spirit in society. Together with other BSCs from the region, the BSC Kragujevac also organises conferences and debates, in the Netherlands and other EU countries. These events target the business community, as well as government officials and NGOs, and aim to increase their awareness of issues and policies that influence the creation of start-ups and the development of the SMEs in Southeast Europe. The Centre also co-organizes regional conferences in SEE in order to share experiences between Business Start-Up Centres and Incubators (SENSI) to address policy issues to government officials from the countries in the region, as well as to donors and representatives of international organisations.

The Business Start-Up Centre Kragujevac is a project of 6 local partners: Municipality of Kragujevac; Regional Economic Development Agency for Sumadija and Pomoravlje region (REDASP); University of Kragujevac; Sumadita; SLOGA; and Chamber of Commerce and Industry Kragujevac.

Contact Person:

Nebojša Šimić, Project Coordinator

E-mail: n.simic@bsckragujevac.org