“NOCODE4BUSINESS” INCUBATION PROGRAMME – PROMOTING AWARENESS AND ADOPTION OF NO-CODE PRACTICES AMONG EUROPEAN ENTREPRENEURS
Design, development and delivery of a programme aimed at fostering knowledge and use of No-Code tools among European entrepreneurs.
Title: Erasmus+: NoCode4BUSINESS
Client: Erasmus+ Programme
Project duration: 2022 – 2023
Web: https://no-code4business.appcink.com/
DESCRIPTION
Across Europe, the use of digital tools among entrepreneurs is increasingly being promoted. In this context, the NoCode4Business Incubation Programme was created to equip entrepreneurs at European level to develop pilot projects and boost the use of No-Code tools.
The project was implemented in collaboration with organisations from several EU countries:
- From Palermo (Italy), IRSEI, the Research Institute for Development, Economy and Innovation.
- From Timisoara (Romania), Fundația EOS
- From Madrid (Spain), as lead partner and programme coordinatora, CINK VENTURING.
The programme was designed within an 18-month framework divided into five phases. Each phase included specific actions implemented in each of the partner countries.
OPPORTUNITY
The main challenges of the project were:
- Carrying out a general analysis of the current state of No-Code in Europe, with particular focus on the countries where the programme was implemented. This involved different types of research using multiple sources, as well as information-gathering and interviews with local experts who contributed their specific perspectives.
- Conducting an in-depth search for key tools based on the research work carried out. These tools were then provided to entrepreneurs in the three countries to strengthen their skills in using these resources. In this way, the training packages – the project’s core objective – were validated.
- Developing conceptual pilot projects..
METHODOLOGY
To address these challenges, a multi-phase approach was implemented:
1. Preliminary desk research
To establish an initial baseline and identify best practices in the current No-Code landscape at European level, Cink launched a first phase with a kick-off meeting in Timișoara. In this meeting, the methodology to be followed was agreed and the information to be included in the inception manual for this first activity was defined.
2. Initial pathway proposal and first pilot
Following the creation of this initial documentation, Cink developed introductory training materials on No-Code, with a strong focus on prototype creation, digital communication and marketing, and the automation and scaling of business operations.
An initial activity roadmap was proposed and a first pilot was delivered in Palermo in order to gather feedback from participants.
3. No-Code modules and second pilot in Madrid
Building on the successful launch of the first pilot, three additional No-Code modules were designed and tested with selected startups from across the European Union.
A second pilot was then carried out in Madrid to assess the effectiveness of these modules and to generate the final deliverables.
4. Results and conclusions
The data collected and analysed throughout the process were shared with the partners from the participating countries, together with the pilot projects implemented by the startups.
At the final meeting, each partner was able to present relevant information on No-Code tools to entrepreneurs and other interested stakeholders, increasing the programme’s visibility.
IMPACT
The programme not only led to the launch of an innovative European-level initiative,
but also delivered tangible results such as:
3 countries involved
+38 startups interviewed and 9 expert interviews conducted to identify best practices
+21 startups travelled to Palermo and Madrid to test No-Code tools and take part in workshops
18 months dedicated to the project
"The project “NoCode4BUSINESS – Fostering knowledge and adoption of no-code practices among European entrepreneurs” is co-financed by the European Union’s Erasmus+ program. The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of Accademia IRSEI, Fundatia EOS, and Cink Venturing, and neither the European Commission nor the Spanish Service for the Internationalization of Education (SEPIE) is responsible for any use that may be made of the information disseminated herein."