Starting your innovative business in Nord-Pas de Calais

Before starting up a new business it is essential to plan how the new product will be marketed. More than half of unsuccessful start ups fail because they pay too little attention to their market. Many entrepreneurs focus on the technological characteristics of their product, and neglect the need for a comprehensive marketing strategy. They also tend to underestimate the financial requirements of their venture, as well as the time they will need to get their product to market. Starting up a business implies carrying out a quantitative market survey to assess the potential market share for the product. It is crucial to make a qualitative assessment of which market segments to target first, and to have a strategy for winning clients. New entrepreneurs must also avail themselves of independent advice. External advisors have the dispassionate and critical perspective the entrepreneur may lack. They can cast a complementary and critical eye on the market research carried out by the entrepreneurs themselves (needs analysis, client receptiveness surveys, marketing strategy). And even after launching a new product an entrepreneur must continue to listen to their clients, and adapt their product accordingly. It is also vital to evaluate any variations between expected business results and actual ones. Any discrepency is a sign that the product may need to be further refined to meet client needs.

More than ever, to start and grow an innovative business an entrepreneur needs the right sort of external advice and support, the sort of support that business incubators or, in Europe, European business and innovation centres can provide. Such organisations offer a wide range of networked and complementary business services. Access to one means you are able to access a whole network of essential business support.

If you are thinking of launching an innovative business or of locating your business in Nord-Pas de Calais, whether you need comprehensive support to help your business throughout the different stages of its development or just a source of reliable advice when you need it, the region’s business support community can help you by:

• Putting you in touch with the technology resources you need
• Providing continuous support to get your business off the ground
• Helping with preparing your business plan
• Advising you on intellectual property issues and financing your business
• Putting you in touch with manufacturers
• Helping you to find the right type of business accommodation