Introducing Crescendo
The Crescendo Thematic Network (Innovation Finance) is one of 14 Thematic Networks to be funded by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Enterprise under the Fifth Framework Programme. The network consists of 17 members; they are drawn from 8 EU Member states and 2 Newly Associated Countries, and all share an interest in developing programmes and strategies that improve the conditions for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to access growth finance.
How to use this CD ROM
This CD ROM contains reports and documents generated by the network between 2003 and 2004.
You can read the CD ROM in two ways:
- By clicking on the button Reports, you can download workshop reports and discussion papers produced during the course of the network. By clicking on the button Guide, you can download a series of mapping tools developed by network members, together with a best practice guide, entitled “All Money is not the same!”.
- By clicking on Case studies you can navigate the same information by theme; each theme contains selected case studies, presented at the various workshops.
Crescendo activities
Crescendo networking centred around a series of four workshops and a final conference. Each workshop reviewed a different ‘building block’ of regional innovation finance:
The first workshop examined the different financial tools available to firms, from loans to equity, and focused on different kinds of guarantees;
The second workshop examined the factors that influence supply, and SMEs’ demand for, growth finance. This meeting raised important questions about the nature of the ‘equity gap’ – the lack of finance for smaller investments - and asked what public authorities should do to address it;
The third workshop asked how public-private partnerships can improve the finance environment for innovative SMEs. It highlighted the experiences of regions that have begun to develop complementary finance and support programmes;
The fourth workshop looked at the regional finance system. The sought-after ideal is for a region to have a ‘regional finance supply chain’, in which sources of finance and related support are sufficient and appropriate, and integrated in such a way that they can cater for the evolving finance needs of different kinds of growth firms
The final conference was an opportunity to review issues raised to date, and to learn about current developments in Ireland to ensure that technology-based firms can access the finance they need to grow.
Disclaimer
Crescendo is funded under the programme "Promotion of Innovation and Encouragement of SME Participation", part of the Fifth Framework Programme. Crescendo is supported by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Enterprise as part of the Innovating Regions in Europe (IRE) Network.
Neither the European Commission nor any person acting on behalf of the European Commission is responsible for the use which might be made of the information contained in this CD ROM. Any information given does not necessarily reflect the official position of the European Commission or any of the other organisations featured. In this regard, it should be noted that the information provided is considered to be of a preliminary nature and users should contact the competent authorities and other public or private organisations for more detailed information or advice on particular courses of action.
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