An Italian company specialised in energy-efficient buildings was keen to open a branch in London but had no idea how to go about it. The Enterprise Europe Network stepped in and made a complicated process simple.
The Network's experts in more than 50 countries are happy to meet company representatives face to face, or email them information packs on EU law in other countries. They also answer specific questions about developing business across borders. All this assistance is free of charge.
Torino-based Novacase Italia's manager, Daniele Cudia, had been investigating the British market for several years but was frustrated in his efforts to find appropriate information. He contacted Torino Chamber of Commerce, the nearest Network partner.
The Network's expert Paola Tolin invited Daniele Cudia to the Ecobuild Fair 2013 in London. She also helped him take part in the Network's brokerage event within the fair, where he showed various aspects of his green technology.
Within a day, Cudia's questions about opening a London branch had been answered. Blazej Thomas, who worked at the time for the Network's team at the London Chamber of Commerce, met him in his offices and explained everything he needed to know about English law and financing opportunities.
"Thanks to Enterprise Europe Network, we finally found the right contact point with the necessary information to enter a new market," says Cudia, who immediately registered his new company, Novacase Europe ltd, in London.