Inclusive Incubation and Finance for More Entrepreneurs

Expected Outcome:

Actions funded under this Call are expected to contribute to:

• Increased participation of under-represented groups in entrepreneurial activities;

• Improved access to tailored incubation services and financing opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs facing structural barriers;

• Enhanced entrepreneurial skills, business readiness and sustainability of supported enterprises;

• Strengthened cooperation between incubation providers, financial actors and employment or social inclusion stakeholders;

• Development of innovative, evidence-based approaches, as a possible source of inspiration for other initiatives;

• Improved knowledge and policy learning regarding effective inclusive entrepreneurship support mechanisms.

In the longer term, the Call is expected to contribute to more inclusive labour markets, job creation, strengthened social economy ecosystems and reduced inequalities in access to entrepreneurship opportunities within the European Union.

Scope:

General Objective

The general objective of this Call for proposals is to promote inclusive entrepreneurship across the European Union by supporting incubation models and financing solutions that enable new and aspiring entrepreneurs from under-represented groups in entrepreneurship to start, sustain and scale viable business activities. Under this Call, incubation services include acceleration services.

Specific Objectives

The Call aims in particular to:

• Develop and test incubation approaches adapted to the specific needs of under-represented entrepreneurs.

• Improve access to finance by linking incubation services with financing organisations such as microfinance providers or social investment vehicles.

• Strengthen entrepreneurial capacities, skills development and business readiness among target groups facing barriers to entrepreneurship.

• Foster cooperation among incubation actors, financial intermediaries, social economy organisations, and possibly as well with employment services, managing entities of local innovation ecosystems or research institutes.

• Generate transferable knowledge, tools and practices that can be replicated or scaled across Member States.