Entrepreneurship is a crucial factor in the development of a strong economy and ipso facto a stable society. Hanze University Groningen was founded in 1798 by executives and entrepreneurs. And over too centuries later entrepreneurship is still a key value in the modern university it has become. In the Entrepreneurship Centre of Applied Research and Innovation the broad range of activities of Hanze University Groningen converge in the field of research into, education about and support of knowledge-intensive entrepreneurship. The centre of applied research and innovation thus plays a key role in the region in terms of the development and reinforcement of knowledge-intensive entrepreneurship.

Professors as well as bachelor, master and PhD students carry out research into entrepreneurship with the aim of supporting and reinforcing starting (student) entrepreneurs and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs ) in the region. Important research themes include:

• Multidisciplinary Entrepreneurship
• New Business & ICT
• International Business
• Growth and Continuity
• SME and socially responsible entrepreneurship

Preparation for entrepreneurship
As part of their training, every year many hundreds of students of all institutes and schools of Hanze University Groningen participate in elective blocks and minors preparing them for entrepreneurship. Some examples of these minors and electives are the Business Class Entrepreneurship (leading to the the Hanze University Groningen Enrepreneurship certificate), the Paris Hilton Project, Leiden en Ondernemen (Management and Entrepreneurship) , Eigen Paramedisch Bedrijf (starting a company of your own in the field of allied health) and Maatschappelijk Verantwoord Ondernemen (socially responsible entrepreneurship). In addition to specialised consultation and tutoring of starting entrepreneurs, Hanze University Groningen also offers facilities for knowledge-intensive starters in advanced incubators in Groningen, Assen and Leeuwarden. Furthermore, a broad and innovative research and education-based support programme is offered in collaboration with HanzeConnect to SMEs in the northern region.

Contribute to the regional economy
The Entrepreneurship Centre of Applied Research and Innovation is young and dynamic. Together with our partners and stakeholders we aim to contribute to the development of the regional economy by reinforcing knowledge-intensive entrepreneurship in the north of the Netherlands in order to prevent a talent drain from the region.

Contact
Should you have any questions or comments or if you are interested in an introductory interview, please contact Front Office KCO, phone: (050) 595 2070, email: kenniscentrumondernemerschap@org.hanze.nl.

Frans Donders graduated with distinction at Radboud University Nijmegen. For some time he remained in the employment of Radboud University Nijmegen where he worked at the Max Planck Institute. After this he worked at at Nijenrode University where he set up the Management Research Centre as associate dean and became director of the Executive Management Centre. He was responsible for the Higher Education Division and later for the R&D Division of KPC Group in ‘s-Hertogenbosch. He filled executive positions in the consultation bureau he set up and carried out advice assignments for institutes and companies such as UvA Holding, Tias-Nimbas Business School, Berenschot Osborne and Ernst& Young Executive Management. Since 2004 he has been in charge of the School of Marketing & Management of Hanze University Groningen as well as the Entrepreneurship Centre of Applied Research and Innovation.