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Splinter have been working with 12 European partners to develop an on-line business model to support people setting up creative sector companies. Alongside partners in the UK and elsewhere in Europe we are exploring what the ‘ideal virtual business incubator’ would be. Splinter are acting as both a commercial test bed and adviser in the process.
We are working with UK partners: Pacificstream (also Project Managers) & Design Initiative on Merseyside, with the support of the University of Central Lancashire, Preston City Council and Innovationworks. Other more distant partners include the University of Antwerp, Danubis University (Romania), Technical University of Kosice (Slovakia), Annur (a Spanish arts training SME), LYNfabrikken (Danish design support organisation), Network of Experience Industry (Sweden) and an FE College in Northern Norway and the project will be finished by October 2008. Splinter’s Project Manager: Rachael Boden said “Generic business support for creative start-ups has always fallen short of the mark. When you are setting up a creative business the production of a business plan is usually something you do to convince the bank to loan you money, so it goes without saying it is written to appeal to financiers, generally the plan doesn’t leave the shelf once the loan or funding is secured as it is no longer relevant to its author. The aim of the virtual incubator is to focus on creative sector issues, the model will provide a framework for creative people to produce and evaluate each others work and advice.” Ideally the on-line environment would provide business services such as Virtual Business Support, Innovative showcasing, Virtual Mentoring, Networking and Collaborative Working, and a training programme covering generic and specific support. Splinter have designed the project’s website where you can find out more. http://www.vicreative.org/ |
