SPEEDUP – EU-MED hubs to accelerate SMEs sustainable and competitive growth

Duration:

03.07.2025 – 02.07.2028

SPEEDUP – EU-MED hubs to accelerate SMEs sustainable and competitive growth

The SPEEDUP project aims to accelerate the sustainable and competitive growth of SMEs across the Mediterranean by establishing a network of local acceleration hubs. These hubs will offer mentoring, training, and tailored support to foster ESG (environmental, social and governance)-driven, inclusive, and green entrepreneurship. The project builds on transnational cooperation and a joint Acceleration Programme to empower over 140 SMEs and support entrepreneurial ecosystems across seven MED countries.

The consortium is also supported by 7 associated partners including chambers of commerce, municipal authorities, and entrepreneurial associations.

Target groups:

Direct:

New and existing SMEs, including startups led by disadvantaged or unemployed individuals
Local and regional public authorities
Higher education institutions and research organisations
Business support organisations

Indirect:

Associated partners and new local actors replicating the SPEEDUP methodology
Wider SME and startup community in the Mediterranean region
Members of local entrepreneurial ecosystems (e.g., trainers, investors, support services)

Objectives:

The project has two specific objectives, aligned with Interreg NEXT MED priority on SME competitiveness for the sustainable growth and competitiveness of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) dedicated to making the Mediterranean region more competitive and smarter.

To establish an international network of accelerating hubs in 7 Mediterranean countries where trained human resources deliver entrepreneurial support services.
To create and implement a joint ESG-oriented Acceleration Programme that enhances sustainable growth and competitiveness among SMEs.

Outputs:

A transnational network of Accelerating hubs is created where The SPEEDUP network is set up in 7 main local hubs in Greece, Spain, Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon Cyprus and Tunisia are initiated and connected transnationally.
A definition of the Acceleration entrepreneurial mission is established to integrate the innovation resulting from the best practices collected.
Human resources operating the networked acceleration hubs are trained to operate the SPEEDUP network, to promote it and to peer train other staff.
Developed guidelines on participatory approaches for networked Accelerating hubs.
An acceleration programme is created including activities, creation of materials to support mentoring and the selection of start-ups.
Networked SPEEDUP hubs deliver information to target groups. To catch the SME’s interest in the project Acceleration programme and utilize concept of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) spectrum; Green and Circular Economy.
The networked local hubs organize the pilot of the Acceleration programme.
Empowerment of SMEs’ starting up/development. The project creates tools to use in advocacy initiatives: final analysis of results, sound continuation scenarios, sustainability and policy papers.
The staff of the networked hubs will monitor the progress of the development of the innovation SMEs completing the Acceleration programme.
Advocacy and follow-up leading up to a key strategic document, such as the Policy recommendation paper, scenarios of follow-up exploitation, the project sustainability plan.
For promotion, dissemination and events, information and awareness raising campaigns are created by the local hubs.

Project Partners:

SPEEDUP brings together partners from 7 Mediterranean countries: Greece, Spain, Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, Cyprus, and Tunisia.

The exact project partners are:

- Patras Science Park (Coordinator, Greece)
- Cámara Oficial de Comercio, Industria
- Servicios y Navegaciónde Sevilla (Spain)
- Al-Balqa Applied University (Jordan)
- Arab Academy for Science and Technology (Egypt)
- INJAZ Lebanon (Lebanon)
- COMCY – Centre for Competence Development Cyprus (Cyprus)
- The Chamber of Commerce of Tunis (Tunisia)