Budapest, Hungary, 29 July 2017
START2ACT launched two new free energy efficiency support actions for young SMEs and start-ups from the nine European countries in the summer of 2017. The project aims to help young SMEs to save energy and to reduce their costs at the workplace and to increase their competitiveness.
After the organized business breakfasts across Europe, START2ACT began to open new online services and energy efficiency services on the spot. The first one is the Knowledge Base, which is a free online energy efficiency center accessible to everyone through the project website. In addition, START2ACT started training and mentoring sessions tailored to the specific needs of young SMEs and start-ups respectively.
The Knowledge Base
The Knowledge Base serves as an online tool for topics related to energy efficiency. The curriculum program is divided into sections by business type (SME or start-up business) and secondary categories (SME manager or employee, own office or shared office for start-ups). The teaching materials cover key areas, including heating / cooling of offices, lighting systems, efficient measurement and monitoring strategies for monitoring energy consumption of the office.
Using the Knowledge Base, young companies will get an overview of measures and funding opportunities that can help them improve their energy efficiency on the workplace. All the information is country-specific because the Knowledge Base is tailored to those involved in START2ACT.
SME consultancy and mentoring for start-ups
To further assist young companies with the implementation of energy efficiency measures, the project offers two types of on-site support: advisory services for young SMEs and mentoring for start-ups. While SME consultations will be held in their offices, start-ups will be able to meet experienced START2ACT trainers in incubators and shared workspaces.
The flexible modular and discussion structure of start-up mentoring sessions enables learners and participants to reach personalized solutions. During sessions, businesses will be able to explore available energy efficiency tools, the scope of their potential energy savings, and the various methods of including sporadic actions in sustainable office culture. These face-to-face sessions are designed to help companies improve their energy policy without having to carry out extensive research or invest in expensive third-party services.
Who we are
The START2ACT consortium is a group of international energy and entrepreneurship experts who have joined forces to make small businesses more environmentally friendly and more energy-efficient through behavioral changes supported by the Horizon 2020 European Union Research and Innovation Program. It consists of 11 partners from Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and the United Kingdom.
For more information on START2ACT, please visit: www.bg.start2act.eu