Unicorn Quest

The UnicornQuest initiative aims to build and enhance regional entrepreneurial ecosystems to promote, attract and retain high-growth, high-value enterprises (to-be-unicorns) thriving under EU principles and values. This project arises from the need to reduce the exodus of promising start-ups, high-growth enterprises and unicorns from Europe, especially from outside the main capitals, which results in regional losses in terms of job creation, intellectual property, economic wealth and more.

The project focuses on learning and experience sharing activities, regional assessments, peer analysis and review of real cases to delineate strategies to improve regional policies which influence SME competitiveness and the retention and attraction of entrepreneurial talent to foster the development of so-called Unicorn Forests.

The project consortium includes partners from Portugal, Ireland, France, Spain, Netherlands, Italy, Hungary, Slovakia, Latvia and Romania, who will identify and present good practices and participate in shared learning events to inspire regional policy improvement.

In Ireland, project partners include WestBIC and the Western Development Commission, with a focus on delivering policy improvements through the West Regional Enterprise Plan, which is part of the Programme for Government commitment to achieving more balanced regional enterprise development. 

One of the Strategic Objectives of the West Regional Enterprise Plan is to advance the development of the regional entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem through specific policy actions.

The project will include the participation of a Regional Stakeholder Group of relevant actors to ensure that these are actively involved in policy learning and in the preparation, implementation, and monitoring of policy improvement.

This project is co-funded by the European Union through the Interreg Europe Programme.

Total Project Budget: €2.3M

Timeframe: 2023-2027

If you are interested in getting involved in this project, contact us at info@westbic.ie