At LinkAcross our mission is linking... linking local and global partners in order to advance holistic economic, healthcare and community development in the Balkans.
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Programs
Economic & Business Development
GrowBiz Startup
What is it?
GrowBiz Startup is a multiphase business startup program that helps entrepreneurs in the Balkans launch and operate new businesses through training, coaching, and financing. After Phase 1, where the concepts of values-based and market-driven business are introduced, in Phases 2 and following participants are linked with both a local and international business coach. This coaching team guides the entrepreneur through developing, testing, and validating his business idea and developing a business plan and financial projections. The coaching team continues with the client into the prelaunch and postlaunch phases also, providing feedback, accountability, and insight as the entrepreneur takes her product to market.
What are the results?
GrowBiz Startup has assisted hundreds of entrepreneurs in both Albania and North Macedonia. The program is not sector-specific and has provided assistance to startups in diverse industries, such as IT, agriculture, food services, tourism, professional services, and retail.
How can
you join?
For more information on GrowBiz Startup Macedonia please visit www.growbiz.mk, or for GrowBiz Startup Albania, please visit www.growbiz.al. If you would like to join our team of international business coaches, please contact us at growbiz@linkacross.org. Also, you can provide seed capital for our revolving loan fund and support entrepreneurship in the Balkans by donating to GrowBiz Startup today!
GrowBiz SME
What is it?
GrowBiz SME helps business leaders in the Balkans to take their existing small or medium business to the next level through coaching and developing a business growth plan. Sharing many of the same features as GrowBiz Startup, GrowBiz SME also connects leaders and owners of small and medium businesses in Albania and North Macedonia with a coaching team. Coaches help the SME client to develop strategies for expansion and growth, both locally and abroad. This program was initially developed in partnership with USAID through its Economic Development, Governance and Enterprise Growth Project with a focus on tourism, agriculture, and light manufacturing businesses, but it is now open to all SMEs regardless of sector.
What are the results?
GrowBiz SME has assisted over 100 SME’s in both Albania and North Macedonia through business coaching, digital marketing assistance, and targeted training. You can meet some of the businesses that we assisted through promotional videos produced by LinkAcross at www.videoprodukcija.mk.
How can
you join?
For more information on GrowBiz SME or to volunteer as an international business coach, please contact us at growbiz@linkacross.org.
Leadership Development
What is it?
We bring top-level speakers and consultants to the Balkans to provide training to business and organizational leaders on relevant topics. In addition to doing this through our GrowBiz programs, we also partner with the American Chamber of Commerce and other local organizations to offer these events to the broader business and leadership community. Finally, we organize book clubs and peer-to-peer groups for business leaders.
What are the results?
We have organized successful events around topics such as motivational sales, franchising, customer service, strategic planning, and improving organizational efficiency. Peer-to-peer groups have covered concepts such as entrepreneurship, servant leadership, and integrating values in business.
How can
you join?
If you are interested in linking with us to develop leaders in the Balkans and transform the leadership culture, please contact us at growbiz@linkacross.org.