With that in mind, the European Union has been placing entrepreneurs with host companies around the region in the hope that they can learn how to operate effectively on an international level. New entrepreneurs may apply for internships with companies in other EU member states for up to six months, where they can gain essential know-how.

The Erasmus for Entrepreneurs scheme (named after the Dutch Renaissance philosopher who travelled extensively in Europe to inform himself about different cultures) is managed in Belgium by, among others, Enterprise Europe Vlaanderen (EEV). Since the project launched at the beginning of last year, five exchanges are already underway and a further nine are in the pipeline.

“The scheme offers entrepreneurs international experience,” says Christine Vanhoutte, adjunct director at EEV, “and the chance to learn how a small and medium-sized enterprise works – how it is managed – and an insight into the threats and opportunities of the European internal market.”

Under the programme, interns are given the opportunity to shadow a senior entrepreneur, engage in market research and development, learn about project development and innovation, understand financing and gain insight into the all-important task of selling their products.

Belgian solar power engineer Remy Tasse, 43, is presently undergoing an internship with France’s Sun Partner. This budding green entrepreneur wants to develop the technology for a wide range of applications, from architecture to devices such as electronic watches and toys. Understanding global markets will be crucial for his business as he has his sights set on exports.

“Electronic toys or handsets are only beginning to integrate solar technology, which means that the potential of development is huge if we take into account that many Research & Development programmes focus on the reduction of energy consumption of these devices,” says Tasse, who has set up business- to-business firm Helio Consults. “Integrated solutions are already appearing in the building industry.”

Tasse has a strong skill set for engineering, but signed up for the programme because he needed to develop his business skills. “Basically, I’m learning a lot in the technology field, but I’ve also been visiting prospective clients to understand what they are looking for, the price level and the status of the technology.”

Dipping into the French market should give Tasse a much-needed opportunity to develop his own international network of clients. “For what I’m doing, Belgium is a small market,” he explains. He plans to spend five months in total with Sun Partner (under the scheme, placements can be completed in stages), taking time out to develop his own company’s activities.

What’s in it for the host?

For host entrepreneurs, the benefits are not immediately apparent. Anyone who ever had an intern will no doubt grimace at the idea of taking extra time to show someone the ropes. But when Italian furniture entrepreneur Chiara Aiello spent time with Limburg-based peer Casimir Meubelen, she left a good impression with her hosts about participating in such schemes.

“We often have interns, and we always have a good connection with them,” says Casimir Reynders, owner and head designer of Casimir Meubelen. “It helps us stay involved with young people and young ideas, and, in the meantime, they can learn something.”

According to Vanhoutte, meeting these entrepreneurs is also a business opportunity for hosts. “These could become people who they want to deal with in the future.”

Making an internship work from the point of view of a host is all in the preparation. Says Reynders: “We had a long contact with her [Aiello] before she arrived. When there’s a good match between a company and a stagiaire, we can all learn something. The advantage with this woman was that she already had a similar business.”

Aiello had inherited a chair company and wanted to explore more contemporary design, a cornerstone of Reynders’ business. “She wanted to turn the company more into something for today and not old style. What was interesting for her was how we contact designers and also how to bring designers together.”

EEV’s programme is soon up for evaluation by the European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, which also provides funding for the scheme. Vanhoutte has high hopes that it will be given the green light to continue. “The probability is that it will be,” she says.

www.enterpriseeuropevlaanderen.be