I was commissioned by XR4Europe to build a pilot project that would map the XR ecosystem across Europe, starting with Bulgaria. My primary objectives were to investigate the current state and future potential of these SMEs, develop a framework based on interview results, and conduct in-depth interviews with their SMEs in XR

To tackle this project, I adopted a structured approach. I began by listing SMEs in the pilot country, Bulgaria. This involved extensive research and outreach to identify key players in the XR sector. I then carried out in-depth interviews with several XR SMEs in Bulgaria. These interviews were crucial in gathering firsthand insights into their experiences, challenges, and success stories. I asked questions about their market presence, innovation, potential for localization and globalization, scalability, and more

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Based on the interview results, I used several established frameworks to support initiatives for SMEs.

Market Presence: Classified SMEs from local to strong international presence.
Innovation and Adaptability: Assessed their innovation levels from foundational to industry-leading.
Localization and Globalization: Evaluated their potential from limited to exceptional.
Scalability: Ranged from limited to exceptional scalability based on their business models.

For market presence, I applied SWOT Analysis, PEST Analysis, and the BCG Matrix to understand internal and external factors and categorize business units by market share and growth. To assess innovation and adaptability, I used the Technology Adoption Life Cycle, For localization and globalization potential, I employed the CAGE Distance Framework, to evaluate differences, cultural impacts, and stages of internationalization and Lastly, for scalability Growth Share Matrix, and the Lean Startup Methodology to describe a firm's value proposition.

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Once I completed the insights and matrices, I collaborated closely with XR4Europe to discuss the output and analysis. Together, we reviewed the findings in detail, leveraging our combined expertise to interpret the data effectively. Our discussions focused on understanding the implications of the research, refining the analysis, and ensuring that the conclusions were aligned with the strategic goals of XR4Europe. This collaborative effort helped us to develop a comprehensive and actionable plan based on the research insights.

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