The International SEPT Program is a research and training program at the University of Leipzig dedicated to providing theoretical insight as well as practical experience in the promotion of small and medium-sized enterprises in developing and transition countries.

SEPT was launched at the University of Leipzig with strong support from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) as well as other private and public partners.

Because of location in Germany, we have permanently the opportunity to learn from successful German Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) and to analyze in detail their best practices and winning experiences, as well as those of the institutions that foster and promote them.

These exceptional 'Mittelstand' Firms, as they are labeled in Germany, are known worldwide for their dynamism and constant innovation. Additionally, many of them have managed to achieve leadership positions in many different countries and markets, basically with high-value-added products and services.

For these reasons, all programs that are offered by SEPT are based on the patterns of the outstanding German 'Mittelstand' and the measures that have been successfuly applied to promote them. Our main goal is to transmit this knowledge to institutions and firms from all over the world that are looking forward to implementing successful strategies in the promotion of SMEs.

All activities of SEPT revolve around SMEs, as it can be seen in the following diagram: