Network Stars Awards 2011
Helping small businesses to shine
The Enterprise Europe Network is celebrating the achievements of Europe's SMEs with its second annual Network Stars awards.
These awards recognise companies and researchers who have used the Network to find opportunities abroad or to develop their businesses and research.
Five SMEs and innovators have been honoured in a ceremony during the Network’s fourth Annual Conference, held in Warsaw, Poland on 26 September 2011.
From young Greek entrepreneurs that turned their passion for sailing into a business to a seasoned Danish wind farm expert expanding into the UK, the Enterprise Europe Network helps companies to shoot for the stars.
The New Horizons category features inspiring stories of how the Network has helped companies branch out to new countries or fuel new ideas. The winners are Danish wind firm APRO and British company Cosalt. They linked up through the Network and their joint venture has already created 30 new jobs. Read the full story.
The Doing Good Business category showcases encouraging stories of how the Network helps bring about projects that have had a positive impact on society. The winners are French scientist Dr Frederique Magdinier (LBMC Institute) and British researcher Dr Mark Maconochie (University of Sussex). The Network facilitated a technology transfer that has aided research into finding a potential cure for deafness. Read the full story.
The Rising Star is a special distinction from the Executive Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation that recognises a young innovative entrepreneur working with the Network. This was awarded to Antonios Kondis and Jason Georgaris - two young professionals and former sailing champions. With the advice of the Network, they have created an innovative business broadcasting sailing tournaments. Read the full story.
The Network Stars finalists
New Horizons category:
- Brisk winds bring jobs - featuring companies APRO and Cosalt and Network partner organisations Business Development Centre Herning & Ikast-Brande, Denmark and Targeting Innovation Ltd, UK
- Catch of the day for Icelandic innovators - featuring companies STG Multi-Ice and CEVPM and Network partner organisations Innovation Center Iceland and Chambre Régionale de Commerce et d'Industrie de région Nord- Pas de Calais, France
- Turning over a new leaf - featuring companies Sunbird and Isoperla and Network partner organisations Zentrum für Innovation und Technik Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany and Enterprise Europe Network South West England
Doing Good Business
- In search of a cure for deafness - featuring French scientist Dr Frederique Magdinier (LBMC Institute) and British researcher Dr Mark Maconochie (University of Sussex) and Network partner organisations Chambre Régionale de Commerce et d'Industrie Rhône-Alpes, France and London Technology Network, UK
- Water treatment firm cleans up with foreign deal - featuring companies Levapor and Elion and Network partner organisations Zentrum für Innovation und Technik Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany and the Italian National agency for new technologies, Energy and sustainable economic development
- Small firm lights the way with EU funding - featuring company Ozara and Network partner organisation Chamber of Craft and Small Business Of Slovenia
Nominees Rising Stars
- Setting sail for success - featuring Antonios Kondis and Jason Georgaris (Icarus Sailing Media) and Network partner organisation Athens Chamber of Small and Medium-Sized Industries, Greece
- Opportunities multiply for economist - featuring Susan Hayes (Hayes Culleton Ltd) and Network partner organisations Dublin Chamber of Commerce, Ireland and Malta Enterprise Corporation
- Drumming up new business - featuring Andrzej Miciuła (A.A. Instruments) and Network partner organisation Lublin Development Foundation Regional Development Agency, Poland
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