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HGC Academy in Hungary
Published on 18 October 2018
Hungary
Nyugat-Dunántúl
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About this good practice
The Middle-sized Business Development Program – or High-Growth-Company Academy – is the first domestic holistic development program in Hungary to offer tailor-made enterprise development solutions to the development needs of the most competitive manufacturing SMEs in order to strengthen their market position. Further objective is to contribute to a partnership-based policy instruments instead of the open call system.
PBN was successfully awarded the contract indirectly by the Ministry of Innovation and Technology on a public tender.
220 participants, 21 meetings, 800 requested improvements – from management structure to real-time sensor technology - are registered. Key application areas were technology digital readiness, foreign market presence – internationalization, high performance management, CRM/ ERP systems, Financing, Online presence.
Program included elements from thematic workshops, study tours abroad (scientific institutions, international fairs, market research presentations), on-the-job mentoring and digitalization training.
Target group is companies with a minimum sales volume of 100 million HUF in the Convergence region with over 10 people employed in domestic ownership, who were able to grow in the past 3 years. 500 executives have been contacted personally who already run medium-sized businesses or have a potential opportunity for them.
PBN was successfully awarded the contract indirectly by the Ministry of Innovation and Technology on a public tender.
220 participants, 21 meetings, 800 requested improvements – from management structure to real-time sensor technology - are registered. Key application areas were technology digital readiness, foreign market presence – internationalization, high performance management, CRM/ ERP systems, Financing, Online presence.
Program included elements from thematic workshops, study tours abroad (scientific institutions, international fairs, market research presentations), on-the-job mentoring and digitalization training.
Target group is companies with a minimum sales volume of 100 million HUF in the Convergence region with over 10 people employed in domestic ownership, who were able to grow in the past 3 years. 500 executives have been contacted personally who already run medium-sized businesses or have a potential opportunity for them.
Expert opinion
The High-Growth-Company Academy is a tailor-made business support programme for manufacturing SMEs. This is an interesting measure for three reasons. First, business growth was considered from a holistic perspective (looking at production, sales, HR, etc.) compared to usually more narrow focussed programs. As a result of the analysis phase there was a good understanding on business needs and problems. Second, potential companies have been identified and contacted directly instead of an open call process. Third, the criteria for selecting said companies were quite strict as sales volume, number of employees and history of growth were all taken into account. The selected companies were offered various support services to boost the competitiveness of businesses in the region.
Works at
Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform
Resources needed
Network of skilled experts is fundamental for mentoring. In-house engineering for digitalization is essential, with a fully equipped DIH. International study tours were supported by ministry of foreign relations. Experienced project management team did the co-ordination.
Evidence of success
500 were contacted who already run medium-sized businesses. 21 workshops organized, 140 companies were mentored, 200 people brought on study tour, 46 trained for digitalization. Average size 4 mio € and 73 staff. Direct impact is due to internationalization efforts, what is reflected by 12 mio euro commitment from the supplier meetings. 30 mio euro grant is allocated 50% subsidy ratio, therefore it should generate the equal amount of business investment in the coming year.
Potential for learning or transfer
The policy instruments targeting one aspect of the business operation has limited impact – like internationalization without competitive product. Therefore the complex instrument has a valid relevance.
Additionally, it is always a risk to dedicate instrument to specific market players – transparency, sustainability – on the other hand the private customer approach can have an impact on efficiency in public investment.
Additionally, it is always a risk to dedicate instrument to specific market players – transparency, sustainability – on the other hand the private customer approach can have an impact on efficiency in public investment.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Pannon Business Network
Hungary
Nyugat-Dunántúl
Contact
senior project manager