From March 2009 up to October 2011 the consortium of six partners from 4 countries, leaded by Tallinn Science Park Tehnopol, executed the Central Baltic Interreg IVA project "Central Baltic "Soft Landing" Zone for Small and Medium Size Companies".

The main outcome of the SMEDGE project was a joint support model to prepare the local companies for expansion into other Central Baltic markets through combination of activities: conducting market research, consultation services (market positioning, partner search, etc.), organizing international brokerage events, joint trainings, seminars and exhibition exchange. The project targeted mostly SMEs from technology and creative sectors.

The other main objective of the project was to increase the chances of success and reduce the overall risks for companies. It would help companies face the difficulties that are common while entering foreign markets.

The project results were the following:

• Jointly developed and piloted "soft landing" service package for foreign companies who want to expand their businesses into CB national markets (Estonia, Latvia, Sweden or Finland);
• 549 people from small and medium size companies from four countries have gained new knowledge through trainings and workshops and participated in the brokerage events;
• 49 companies have found new business partners or clients in another Central Baltic region countrys
• we have 6 success stories, i.e. companies from four countries that have successfully piloted the created “soft-landing” service packages and achieved set targets;
• Joint training program for incubator and technology/science park managers has been developed and piloted among 157 participants from 4 countries.

SMEDGE project was financed by "European Regional Development Fund" - "INVESTING IN YOUR FUTURE".

Please feel free to contact your local partner or your target market partner to use the „soft-landing“ services for expansion of your company into one of those markets: Latvia, Estonia, Finland or Sweden.