ECIA: will crowdfunding finally be accepted throughout Europe?

The European Commission has done its homework thoroughly. At the end of  February, the European Creative Industries Alliance (ECIA), a collaboration between the Commission and the experts of How To Grow, was officially launched with a very practice-oriented, participative website.

Barbara Cruz | EDC / How To Grow

Young start up enterprises within the creative and culture industry should participate and benefit from the good reputation of this influential institution. This fresh approach should also improve the chances for new business models such as crowdfunding because the banks cannot say No anymore now.

Resourceful new entrepreneurs know that they will get nothing when the ask for money at a bank - Barbara Cruz of the European Design Center (EDC) explains the C-I factor which bases completely on playful approaches to financing such as crowdfunding which should finally be accepted as legitimate methods for the initial financing of an idea.

What design can do for you

Pete Kercher | Silesian Mobile Design

There is an enormous immanent chance in the development of the term „design“ and how we understand it. Anna Whicher, working for the SEE project, demonstrates how design can be used for innovations regarding services, as social innovation, or as a means for governmental policy.  

With his new conception of design, entrepreneur Pete Kercher reconnects complete regions using their local resources – as proven by the Silesian Mobile Design.

Text: Boris Alexander Knop