Success stories

New entrepreneur:
Domas Nutautas (Lithuania)
Age: 27
Company name: (Start-up)
Sector of activity: Food, beverages, tobacco and related products

Host entrepreneur:
Dave Hayward (Germany)
Age: 52
www.newcoreindustries.com (13 years of experience)
Sector of activity: IT, office and communication equipment, services and supplies

Before joining the EYE programme, Domas Nutautas was an entrepreneur with the aim of minimising waste in the catering industry. He says he felt he lacked knowledge in marketing and sales. Hoping to gain know-how for his business and self-confidence, he applied for the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme.

"My goal was to come home knowing enough to start my business," says the new entrepreneur. He says his exchange partner Dave Hayward, owner of Newcore Industries Group, helped him in many ways. "My host was very generous, attentive, curious and patient," Domas says. "I learnt soft skills like concentration and communication from them. Also marketing and the basics of legal requirements in business development."

With his newfound confidence, a growing network and the basics of the German language, the entrepreneur says he has learned how to communicate with potential partners and has already made some partnerships for his business. "I came home 6 months ago and have already achieved a round of funding," smiles Domas. When asked about his social business plan, the entrepreneur admits that it has changed considerably. "Without this experience I would not be able to build my business. It's been great, it would not have been possible without you guys," he says.

For more information, please contact the local contact points involved in the exchange:

New entrepreneur's contact point:
European social entrepreneurship and innovative studies institute (Kaunas, Lithuania)

Host entrepreneur's contact point:
STIC - WIRTSCHAFTSFORDERGESELLSCHAFT MARKISCH-ODERLAND MIT BESCHRANKTER HAFTUNG (Berlin, Germany)

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