Project summary

The Interreg Atlantic Area project BEACon aims to improve SME success rates by equipping business advisors with an evidence-based, practice-ready toolkit, using insights from Randomised Controlled Trials.This toolkit will be grounded in what research shows to be most effective in supporting enterprise growth.

• Project duration: 01/10/2025 - 30/03/2028.
• Total budget: 1,09 M€.
• ERDF funding: 818 M€.

Project partners

• Hincks Centre for Entrepreneurship Excellence, Munster Technological University (MTU) - lead partner.
• National Association of Community Enterprise Centres CLG - Trading as The Community Enterprise Association Ireland (CEAI)
• Associação de Transferência de Tecnologia da Asprela (UPTEC).
• Technopôle Brest-Iroise.
• Asociación de Industrias de Conocimiento y Tecnología - GAIA - Euskal Herriko Ezagutza eta Teknologia Industrien Elkartea.

This partnership combines deep regional knowledge (Ireland, Portugal, France, and the Basque Country), sectoral expertise,

and a shared commitment to strengthening the entrepreneurial landscape across the Atlantic Area.

To achieve this, BEACon will:

• Compile and analyse existing international evidence on effective business support.
• Tailor this knowledge to the Atlantic Area context, ensuring relevance and applicability.
• Develop the BEACon Toolkit, a comprehensive resource for business advisors.
• Strengthen support for Business Support Organisations (BSOs), entrepreneurs and innovators across the region through improved, evidence-driven practices.

By integrating proven methods with regional insights, the project aims to contribute to a more innovative and sustainable economy. 

You can learn more about Interreg Atlantic Area here.  

Latest BEACon Project News: 

• Launch of the BEACon (Business Excellence through Atlantic Cooperation) project