Program Details
Top Class is a one year program that enables young entrepreneurs to access the right ideas, knowledge and people, and thus develop and expand their companies faster, also adapting to the schedule of the entrepreneurs so that the management of their companies remains undisturbed. The meetings take place twice a month in the afternoon or evening. Beside the basic programme, young entrepreneurs also have the opportunity to take part in additional activities of the CEED partnership network.
A new Top Class program opens in September and will include the following activities:
Monthly practical training
Eight four-hour afternoon entrepreneurial training sessions led by sucessful entrepreneurs - mentors. At each training, the mentors introduce the topic structurally presenting it through their own entrepreneurial history, thus bringing their own experience and practical advice to the younger participants and engaging them in discussion adressing their business's issues. The emphasis of the workshops is on practical knowledge, interactivity, the exchange of experience, the practical application of knowledge and mutual networking.
Training topics:
- Business Decision-Making
- Entrepreneurial Marketing
- Financial Cash Flows Management
- Attracting Venture Capital, Mergers and Acquisitions
- IT and Communication Sector Development and Globalization
- Strategies for Entrepreneurial Growth and Internationalization
- Leadership and HRM
- Elevator Pitch
- Business Valuation and Sales Strategies
Mentorship program
Mentoring enables Top Class members to meet successful entrepreneurs with relevant business experience that they would otherwise not have access to. They will acquire business advice, contacts and the opportunity to cooperate depending on the mentor’s and apprentice’s interests. Young entrepreneurs will keep in contact with their mentors throughout the year. The group of selected mentors includes entrepreneurs with highly diverse experience, therefore, each candidate will be assigned a mentor covering fields of activities and entrepreneurial interests as close to the young entrepreneur’s interests as possible.
Further, there is an opportunity for international mentors too. CEED Bulgaria envisages the participation of 3 mentors from Macedonia and 3 mentors from Slovenia providing advice and experience gained in the region.
CEED Bulgaria networking activities
Monthly networking activities that bring together Bulgarian entrepreneurial community as well as the possibility to participate at CEED international activities.