The Innovation Centre was established by the USAID Competitiveness Project in April 2010. Its main goals are, on the one hand, to assist innovators and innovative companies in adopting innovations, developing new products and services, and commercializing existing innovations and, on the other hand, to create an innovation “ecosystem” supporting innovative ventures. To this end, the innovation centre will build up a network of partners and serve as the platform for innovators and partners to facilitate access to knowledge, technology and resources which are essential for the implementation of an innovation.

The services of the i2b are the following:

• Matchmaking between domestic innovators and investors, facilitating the commercialization of innovation, analysis of the present situation relevant for innovations and their commercialization;
• Locating innovators and innovations in FYR of Macedonia and their turn into profitable businesses;
• Offering support to innovators for attracting potential investors;
• Training for innovators for commercialization of innovations;
• Implementation of educational programs in business, attracting investors, structuring investment deals etc.;
• Locating potential investors for Macedonian innovations; support to investors in locating favourable opportunities to invest;
• Support in investment portfolio management including the opt in opt outn possibilities from potential businesses;
• Establishing a framework for attracting capital for investment in early and risk phases when starting a business;
• Establishment of innovation fund (investment fund for innovative ideas/projects/businesses);
• Establishment of a business angel network;
• Establishment of an eco-system of companies that will be specialized in providing services in technology commercialization, technology transfer, but also starting a business;
• Building capacities in these companies;
• Promoting innovations in the entire society
• Promoting innovative thinking in the society with special focus on the young population.

Contact Persons:
Zarko Pop-Iliev, Manager
E-mail: zpopiliev@carana.com

Ana Ambarkova, Project Coordinator
E-mail: aambarkova@carana.com

Further contact details are provided below.