January 26, 2018 - USAID’s Micro and Small Enterprises Project, co-funded by the Government of Switzerland, and implemented by the Center for Entrepreneurship and Executive Development (CEED) Macedonia, reopened CEED Hub Skopje at a new location – the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering campus at St. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje.   

USAID Country Representative David Atteberry, Swiss Ambassador Sybille Suter Tejada, CEED Hub Director Gjorgji Kushevski, the Dean of the Mechanical Engineering Faculty Darko Danev, and Deputy Prime Minister Kocho Angjushev, and Sashko Krstevski from SOLE Communication, a project beneficiary, gave brief remarks.

In his remarks, USAID Country Representative David Atteberry said, “So far, over 50 potential entrepreneurs have benefited from the pre-acceleration and acceleration programs offered by the Hub, of which 11 have already received investments from the project amounting to $66,000 to start their companies.” He added, “By being located right where the students are, I’m sure, it will encourage more young people to come to CEED Hub and learn about the many opportunities it has to offer. Students can build on their theoretical knowledge with business skills, and turn innovative ideas born in the classroom next door, into products and services that can be brought to the market by new business startups developed here.”

Swiss Ambassador Sybille Suter Tejada noted, “Entrepreneurs sometimes think that the only thing they lack to realize their plans is money. In reality though, mentoring and coaching by experienced peers and business development experts is equally, or even more important. CEED Hub Skopje offers both mentoring and access to funding, and this approach has proven to be very effective.”

In his remarks, Deputy Prime Minister Kocho Angjushev thanked USAID for its dedicated work in Macedonia for the past 25 years. He noted, “Ninety-eight percent of the companies in Macedonia are small and medium-sized enterprises. Therefore, this year the government has increased the funds for the Economic Development Program by 46 percent in three pillars, one dedicated to support small and medium enterprises and young people who want to become entrepreneurs and stay in the country.” 

The event concluded with a small exhibition showcasing a few project participants’ products.

CEED Hub Skopje was established in February 2016 as part of the Micro and Small Enterprises Project; so far over 600 individuals have benefited from its services and more than 150 educational and social events have been organized through it.