MyGoalTraining, a company founded by Mathias Priebe of Lauta, successfully secured funding from the European Commission’s SME Instrument Phase 1—which was open for applications for the last time—with the help of the Enterprise Europe Network, which is based, among other places, at the HSZG. Between June 2014 and September 2019, a total of 4,408 SMEs across Europe each received €50,000 in funding from this program—including 274 from Germany and 22 companies from Saxony. MyGoalTraining was the only company in Saxony east of Dresden to be awarded the grant. A total of 50,555 companies made applications for the lump-sum financial support. The probability of approval was 8.72%.

The company now has time to internationalize its business plan. Specifically, this involves an app for triathletes that, with modifications, could also be suitable for the mass market in the health sector. Tobias Schlüter from the Enterprise Europe Network assisted the company during the application process, providing important information on European policy issues and market access, as well as feedback on business model development. An experienced colleague from the Enterprise Europe Network office in Prague also offered advice before the application was submitted electronically to Brussels. In total, eight additional people across three continents were involved in the application process.

The connection between MyGoalTraining and the Enterprise Europe Network came about through a personal recommendation. Subsequently, Mr. Priebe participated in a practical workshop on structural change in Lausitz held in Senftenberg, which the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences organized in collaboration with the Berlin-Brandenburg Economic Development Agency under the Enterprise Europe Network label as early as November 2018. This was followed by an innovation consultation at the Technology Center in Lauta, research into EU funding opportunities, and finally the submission of the application.

The MyGoalTraining team is delighted with the funding, which opens up new opportunities for action. Mr. Priebe commented: “Thank you very much, Mr. Schlüter, for opening the door to Europe for us.” The SME Instrument was replaced at the end of 2019 by the European Innovation Council’s Accelerator Pilot Program. EEN Saxony also provides consulting services regarding this program.