These cross-border exchanges help start-up entrepreneurs gain the knowledge needed to start or successfully run a small business in Europe. New entrepreneurs receive mentoring from an experienced entrepreneur for 1 to 6 months, and the stay is partly funded by the European Commission. Creative Praha acts as an intermediary organization in order to appropriately connect start-up entrepreneurs with visiting experienced entrepreneurs.

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New Entrepreneur you can get involved if:

• You have not been in business for more than 3 years (regardless of your age).
• You have permanent residence in one of the participating countries
• You have elaborate business plan, on the basis of which you do business or are firmly committed to starting a business. The plan includes a description of the product or service offered, a market analysis including a definition of the target market and an analysis of the competition, a financial plan including estimated expenses and revenues over the next two years, and a break-even point analysis.
• You are motivated commit to cooperation with an experienced entrepreneur from another participating country and you are ready to provide your skills and knowledge even to develop the business of the host entrepreneur. This is not an internship.
• Are you ready to supplement the financing of the program if necessary to cover the cost of your stay abroad.

Host entrepreneur you can get involved if:

• You have been a small or medium-sized business owner for more than 3 years or a person directly involved in the business at the level of its management.
• You have a permanent residence in one of the participating countries
• Want to share knowledge and experience with a new entrepreneur and act as a teacher for a minimum of five hours a week.
• You want to start a relationship with a new entrepreneur. This is not an internship.

Participation in the program then has the following four stages:

1. Application form

• Prepare the documents needed to submit an application: a resume and your motivation for participation. In addition, new entrepreneurs also draw up a business plan.
• Register with Internet portal. Choose an intermediary organization and attach a resume, motivation. In addition, new entrepreneurs also attach a business plan.
• The selected intermediary organization will assess your application.

2. Networking and interconnecting

• Establish a relationship with a new or host foreign entrepreneur. Either find a partnership in the online catalog or propose a new or host entrepreneur with whom you are already in contact with an intermediary organization.

3. Signing the contract

• Agree with the new or host entrepreneur on a work and training project. It contains clear data, objectives and a plan of activities within the exchange.
• You sign a quality commitment and, if you are a new entrepreneur, you also sign a financing agreement

4. Exchange

• Before leaving, you will receive training from your intermediary organization
• Starting a stay abroad for 1 to 6 months. It is possible to divide it into weekly blocks, but in total it can not be more than 12 months.
• Financial support for new entrepreneurs will be provided in several payments according to the agreement signed with their contact point.
• After the exchange is completed, you must fill out an online questionnaire.

Sources:

• Program Overview
• A Guide for New Entrepreneurs
• A Guide for Host Entrepreneurs