Page 146 - guidance-supporting-europe-s-aspiring-entrepreneurs-policy-and-practice-to-harness-future-potential

Guidance supporting Europe’s aspiring entrepreneurs
Policy and practice to harness future potential

Example 33. The Courageous Twelve, Czech Republic

The Courageous Twelve (Dvanáct odvážných) programme tells the stories of 12 entrepreneurs who
have overcome certain obstacles to succeed in the business world. Nomination of entrepreneurs is
made by the public with the final selection made by the Vodafone Company, which produces the
programme. It is a good example of the third way (see introduction) of how businesses can promote
entrepreneurship. This programme is popular, with each episode drawing around 400 000 viewers.

Contests among would-be entrepreneurs are relatively new and immensely
popular, attracting a wide audience. In a light-hearted way they get across the
opportunities of an entrepreneurial career and create greater awareness of what
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is involved in a business idea. For example, Skaperen (Creator) ( ) searches for
the best business idea in Norway. Auditions are held and 15 finalists are selected
to present their business idea on the programme; participants must encourage
viewers to vote for their ideas. Every week a contestant is eliminated and, in the
last show, viewers vote for their favourite business idea; the winning contestant
receives NOK 1 million (EUR 120 000). The programme was produced in
cooperation with Innovation Norway, the national business support organisation
funded by the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Similar programmes can be found
in Finland, Ireland, Norway, Portugal, Spain and the UK (e.g. AUDAX Negócios à
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Prova, Business Challenges AUDAX) ( ) in Portugal and Generación XXI ( ) in
Spain.
Alongside television programmes based on the subjects and principles of
entrepreneurship, there are also a small number of radio programmes. In
Lithuania, there are several radio programmes that specifically address business-
related themes (e.g. Verslo dvasia, Entrepreneurship spirit, a discussion
programme about entrepreneurship).
There are also many occasions that celebrate entrepreneurship in various
countries (Bulgaria, Ireland, Spain, Sweden and the UK). For example, the
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Entrepreneurs’ day ( ), in Spain is a nationwide event that enables
entrepreneurs to share knowledge, experiences and best practice. At a European
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level, the European SME Week ( ), began in 2009, as a campaign to promote
entrepreneurship. The SME week in 2009 saw over 1 200 national, regional and
local events focusing on a variety of topics.

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( ) Available from Internet: http://www.innovasjonnorge.no/Prosjekter/Skaperen/ [cited 20.9.2010].
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( ) Available from Internet: http://www.audax.tv/Concurso/Regulamento/tabid/64/Default.aspx [cited
20.9.2010].
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( ) Available from Internet: http://www.emprender-en-
aragon.es/paginas/seccion_Concurso%20Generacion%20XXI.htm[cited 20.9.2010].
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( ) Available from Internet: http://www.emprendemosjuntos.es/es-
ES/diadelemprendedor/Paginas/DiaEmprendedor.aspx [cited 2.9.2010].
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( ) Available from Internet: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/entrepreneurship/sme-
week/index_en.htm [cited 20.9.2010].

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