Vukovar Business Innovation Center (Bic) Project

the SME revitalization of Vukovar-Srijem County Vukovar Business Innovation Center (BIC) Project The William Davidson Institute (WDI) Business Innovation Croatia (BICRO)

On Location in Croatia

Eastern Croatia’s War Devastation A destroyed shoe manufacturing plant UMBS/WDI office in Vukovar (the one on the right) Downtown Vukovar

Research Methodology

Agriculture

Food Processing

Animal Breeding

Wood Processing

Wineries

IL, VK, VU, ZU

FLAG

S. Fodor

Lateran Family

12

Research Tracks Industries Interview Locations Local Experts Total Interviews

Retail Stores

Financial Services

Engineering

Custom Metals

Hotels & Tourism

IL, VK, VU, ZU

Z. Ivanisevic

8

Leather

Textiles

Construction

VK, VU, ZU

D. Kadoic

8

Graphics

Computer Tech

Agriculture Tech

Electronics

Radio, TV, Film

VK, ZU

A. Radosevic, et al

6

All industries

VK, VU, ZU

Z. Cordasic, et al

6

Resource Intensive Knowledge Intensive Labor Intensive Technology Intensive Potential Entrepreneurs

Catch the Entrepreneurial Spirit University of Osijek Presentation June 15, 1999 Assessing the Entrepreneurial Interest TECHNOLOGY CENTER OSIJEK (TO BE ESTABLISHED) SEAF Croatia Newspaper Article

SME Needs Assessment Coping with the Liquidity Crisis Familiarization with Western Business Practices Stability and Shelter Capital Availability Business Cooperation Education Requirements

A New Approach to Development Economic Downturn War Devastation Ethnic Tension A Business Innovation Center (BIC) to develop the region’s small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) and entrepreneurs

Vukovar Business Innovation Center (BIC) Vukovar Headquarters & Incubator Ilok Admin Office & Incubator Zupanja Admin Office & Incubator Vinkovci Admin Office & Incubator VU VK ZU IL Vukovar-Srijem County Local Community Local Business Network

Vukovar BIC Services Local Business Network (LBN)

Consulting

Business plans

Marketing plans

Management advice

Domestic contacts

International contacts

Training

Business plans

Marketing plans

Bookkeeping

Contracts

Computers/Internet

LBN Support

Low-cost business support services

Internet cafe

Contacts database

Training seminars

Local Office Admin Office & Incubator

Incubator

Offices/conf. room

LAN computers

Internet access

Photocopying/fax

Receptionist

Financial

Accessing credit

Financial/tax advice

Accounting support

Financial software

BIC Cluster Development Agribusiness Herbs Equipment Leasing Local Produce Regional Specialties Freezing or Drying Supply Stores Website Design Business Support Services Market Research Graphic Design Accounting Services Shipping Warehouse Legal Services Catering Wood Processing Drying Sawmill Design & Marketing Wood Working Related Materials Forestry Mgmt. Logging Grading & Selling

Agribusiness Cluster and the Value Chain Specialized Transport Specialized Cooperatives Equipment Suppliers Chemical Treatments Organic Specialists Medical Herbs Agritourism Food Processing Wines & Spirits Veterinary Services Seed Suppliers Storage Facilities Import Export Specialized Marketing RAW GOODS FINISHED GOODS Export Crops MARKET Research Education Training Advocacy

Project Partners as Knowledge Pools Knowledge Pools LBN BIC Staff & Consultants SEED WDI/ UMBS BICRO Technology Centers Univ. of Osijek & Zagreb County Chambers Financing Institutions

A Results-Oriented Project

Incubator tenants served

SMEs served in the LBN

New businesses created

New jobs created

Improvement in new business

success rate

Measurable Results Finding an excellent General Manager Getting the LBN to scale quickly BIC reflecting community goals Key Success Factors BIC staff reactionary not forward-looking Companies not accessing credit Companies not cooperating Project Risks

UMBS and SME Development Business Innovation Center (BIC) Potential Worldwide Post-Conflict Regions Nicaragua Zaire Colombia South Africa Vietnam Lebanon Kosovo Uganda Transition Economies Honduras Indonesia China India Peru Namibia Philippines Russia Uruguay Morocco Pakistan