Evaluation of Framework Conditions Supporting Young Innovators in Central Europe

Abstract

The goal of this paper is to describe and evaluate the framework conditions for young innovators in selected countries in the Central Europe region. Young innovators – people not older than 35 with innovative ideas – represent a specific target group worthy of support in their efforts and in overcoming the issues they may face due to their age, experience, knowledge or social background when attempting to develop their innovative ideas and realize their entrepreneurial ambitions. 144 young innovators and 120 mentors were gathered in so-called Regional Innovation Labs drawing on the well-known concept of living laboratories. In this context, it was possible for them to articulate young innovators’ needs and requirements concerning the initial support for the development of their potential. The result was a list of twenty key supporting services selected by focus groups, including the evaluation of availability and quality of these services in selected countries.