On December 6th, nearly 40 experts from the Enterprise Europe Network took part in a decentralized training session focused on scaling up small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The training was led by Stelian Brad, Network Scale-up Expert and President of the Cluj IT Cluster, and was hosted under the auspices of the Network.
The session was designed to increase capacity building within the network and provide Enterprise Europe Network Advisors with actionable insights and tools to better support SMEs navigating the complex journey from growth to scale. A “scale-up” was defined as an SME undergoing rapid, sustainable expansion in areas such as revenue, customer base, and operational capacity.
Key characteristics of successful scale-up companies were explored, including a solid product-market fit, a scalable business model, visionary leadership, and the ability to manage increasing operational complexity. From the outset, it was emphasized that a successful scale-up transition often requires a shift from informal practices to more structured, formalized systems.
A dynamic part of the training included an interactive poll, offering participants the opportunity to reflect on the challenges within their respective ecosystems. The poll revealed that business model scalability remains the most pressing area in need of development to ensure scale-up readiness.
Another main point of the agenda was the strategic use of explorative AI in scaling efforts. The discussion highlighted best practices and offered practical tips on crafting AI-driven objectives grounded in specific, measurable metrics.
Financial strategies were also featured in the training. Experts examined advanced funding mechanisms and cost-optimization techniques that maintain growth without sacrificing quality or innovation.
The event concluded with a concise yet impactful session on modern marketing techniques. Topics included advanced branding, pricing strategies, market positioning, and the integration of digital technologies to enhance marketing effectiveness.
The training benefitted from a rich multicultural exchange, with participants representing a broad spectrum of countries across the EU: Romania, Sweden, Italy, Poland, Cyprus, France, Turkey, Slovakia, Hungary, Portugal, Serbia, Austria, and Bulgaria.
This decentralized training marked a significant step forward in enhancing the capacity of Enterprise Europe Network experts to support SMEs in their scale-up journeys. By combining strategic insights with practical tools – from business model development to financial planning and AI integration – the session provided a comprehensive foundation for navigating the complex scale-up landscape.
Cluj IT has been an Enterprise Europe Network contact point since 2022, through the BISNet Transylvania Consortium.
