Over four hundred SMEs from 62 regions applied for participation in the first accelerator of SME Corporation dedicated to social projects.

Yakutia (12%), Moscow region (11%) and Crimea (7%) are in the top three in terms of the number of applicants. Most applicants work in the field of supplementary education for children and adults (27%), provide child care services (14%), or engage in manufacturing (6%). The average age of the participant is 39 years old, the youngest participant is 18, and the oldest is 74.

Alexander Isaevich, Director General of SME Corporation, called social entrepreneurship a special type of activity, and for many people it is an opportunity to realize their talents and find a business they like.

"Our task is to support such entrepreneurs. Along with existing support measures we offer socially oriented companies to take part in the accelerator that will enable them to speed up development of their business together with experts, find effective promotion tools and learn project management", - he said.

Pre-accelerator will involve over 170 companies and individual entrepreneurs who have passed the distance selection. Afterwards 50 companies will be chosen for the accelerator itself where educational events on management of social projects and individual work with experts on intensive business growth will be held.

These events will last for eight weeks and culminate in a final face-to-face demo day in Moscow.

Companies will be able to get an expert perspective on their business, learn about the best practices of project management and benefit from the latest business support measures. In addition, they will be told about effective business tools. Companies will also have an opportunity to increase their quantitative and qualitative indicators several times over.

Along with feedback from experts and attracting additional financing, the best participants will be able to use the support of the corporation on special terms.

Made in Russia // Made in Russia

Author: Ksenia Gustova