Goal
The Hands-On Foundation for International Entrepreneurial Cooperation has a simple
and clear goal:
Promote and assist small-scale entrepreneurial initiatives in developing economies
in Africa, Asia, and South America.
The Hands-On Foundation believes strongly that new entrepreneurial initiatives create
value and improve living conditions not just for the entrepreneurs, but also for
their families, employees, local community and even their country as a whole.
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Projects
The Hands-On Foundation has a preference for projects with a technical component:
either the product or service provided has a technological background or the entrepreneur
makes smart use of a certain technology or technique. Any field of technology is
eligible, however, the Hands-On’s contributions are most valuable in domains of
electronics, electrical engineering, and information technology. This does not necessarily
imply that the projects eligible have to be high-tech in nature. On the contrary,
quite often the most successful projects are based on the smart use of simple technologies.
The projects need to be small enough for Hands-On to be able to make a difference.
Projects can include the founding of a new company, as well as new initiatives in
an existing company.
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Entrepreneurs
Key to any entrepreneurial initiative is the entrepreneur or a team of entrepreneurs.
Without their energy, commitment, smartness and drive no enterprise will thrive.
Hands-On thinks it is important to get to know the entrepreneurs and to maintain
a close relationship during the project.
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Cooperation
The cooperation can take on various forms, but usually consists of the following
elements:
- Technological assistance: advice and support through technical partners;
- Networking: access to network of businesses in Europe;
- Coaching: assistance in business planning and management, and
- Financial support: loans, bank guarantees, equity stakes or gifts.
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Foundation
A Netherlands entrepreneur who created a successful design and production company
of microprocessor-geared electronics founded Hands-On to share his business insight
and experience with entrepreneurs in developing countries.
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