EBN - 10 Reasons to join EBN

10 Reasons to join EBN

Recognition: Fully accredited members are entitled to use the BIC logo, a registered trademark of the European Commission which is recognised as a standard for quality in innovation, incubation and entrepreneurship all over Europe and worldwide.
Technical support: Customised technical support is available to assist new members in reaching the status of full BIC accreditation. Assistance in developing or updating BIC services is available as required by existing members.
Quality assessment and benchmarking: Full BIC members participate in an annual quality survey the results of which allow both EBN and the BICs to benchmark their performance against their peers through the EBN Quality Observatory and benchmarking tools.
Representation: EBN is engaged actively in policy support and EU recognition on behalf of their members. In particular EBN aims to continually position the BICs as a reference point for innovation, incubation and entrepreneurship both at regional level and as part of the European EBN network.
Access to a European Network (BIC2BIC networking): Through the EBN community, BICs have access to a specialized network of like-minded organizations that are focused on innovation, incubation and business development at regional level. Through tools such as the Members’ Directory and the EBN calendar of training, information and events, active networking between members is encouraged and reinforced.
Access to Thematic & Sectorial Networks (B2B networking): Following the successful collaboration between EBN and ESA in 2002 resulting in the creation of ESINET a thematic platform for the transfer of knowledge and technologies in the field of space, at the request of members, further sector-specific networks of members were established in 2008 in the sectors of maritime, agro-food and clean technologies. One of the objectives of these networks is to support technological or commercial partnerships between innovative SMEs Europe-wide.
EBN also actively supports “theme-specific” networks in themes such as female entrepreneurship, clustering, regeneration, seed-financing etc.
Specialised Training: A series of technical training seminars is organised for members each year covering topics from BIC fundamentals for new members to developing and exploiting project opportunities for established BICs.
Calendar of Events: The highlight of the annual event calendar is the EBN Annual Congress which usually takes place in June each year. In addition to this event, EBN organises and supports a specific calendar of events in partnership with local members. These events provide opportunities to meet with experts/practitioners in business incubation and innovation, and to exchange best practice and new market opportunities.
Project opportunities: EBN publishes a regular ‘Tender Watch’ document highlighting all European funding opportunities of particular relevance to BICs. EBN can provide assistance to members in the construction of consortia to respond to these calls or in certain specific cases can lead the development of EU proposals involving several members. EBN also provides a pan-European dissemination platform to promote new best practices identified by BICs within the context of project or other activities.
Keep informed: Through communication tools such as the EBN website, the EBN newsletter and periodic ‘Flash News Bulletins’, members are kept informed about the latest developments in the BIC network and in the wider EU policy field. Access to benchmarking tools, policy papers and up to date publications is assured through the project website.

EBN-European BIC Network

Avenue de Tervueren, 168 -B-1150 Bruxelles
Phone: +32 2 77289 00 - Fax: +32 2 772 95 74
E-mail: ebn@ebn.eu - www.ebn.eu