EUT+ STUDENT START-UP CHALLENGE 2025: From Theory to Practice

Under the ERASMUS+ BIP programme, the Technical University of Sofia will host students’ teams from all EUt+ alliance partners, which have innovative ideas and solutions and are willing to learn more about how they can bring them to market. During the training sessions, students will gain some new theoretical knowledge, but most importantly they will learn how to put their start-up ideas into practice.

Building on the established six years ago Student Innovation Hub programme https://innovationhub.tu-sofia.bg/en/ , TU – Sofia is happy to launch a follow-up building entrepreneurship skills programme, open to students from all EUt+ Alliance partners. The aim of the new BIP programme called: EUt+ Student Start-up Challenge: From Theory to Practice will facilitate students in the process of turning their innovative ideas, solutions and maybe prototypes into working entrepreneurial businesses. During the training students will be empowered with essential entrepreneurial knowledge as well as with some fundamental practical skills, which will enable them with the hands-on experiences of establishing their own start-ups.

The programme includes two online sessions in March and May, when students will benefit from the expertise and knowledge of lecturers from the EUt+ partner universities and a physical week in June in the lovely town of Sozopol, when they will have the opportunity to build up their practical skills and gain hands-on experience. During the sessions, students will not only develop their entrepreneurial skills but will also gain a broad international perspective on contemporary business. Further to lectures, students will have mentoring help and support in the process of bringing their innovative business ideas into life.

The successful completion of the BIP will be awarded with 5 credits and certificate.

Important Dates

Registration of students till 15^th March 2025

University Erasmus + offices should use the following link to register the students 2024-1-BG-KA131-HED-000202228-2 in the ERASMUS+ Beneficiary Module.

17^th – 21^st March (16:00 to 17:30 CET) On-line Workshop 1

5^th – 7^th May (16:00 to 17:30 CET) On-line Workshop 2

16^th – 21^st June In-person Workshop in Sozopol

19^th June Final Pitching Even in Sozopol

Online talks and discussions will cover the following topics:

• Opportunity recognition and market potential of innovative ideas
• SCRUM, MVP and Design Thinking
• Market Sizing and Analysis, and Unique Selling Proposition
• Strategic Planning
• Business Models and Open Business Models
• Business Model CANAVAS
• Business Plan
• Mastering the Time Value of Money: Leveraging Financial Investment Appraisal to Drive Smart Decisions in Innovative Ventures
• Venture Funding and Business Angels
• Pitching and presentation skills

Sozopol Start-up Challenge 2025 Week

• 16^th June – Joint Trip of all student teams from Sofia to Sozopl (lunch in the City of Plovdiv)
• 17^th June – Preparation and final mentoring guidance sessions; Meet teams from Student Innovation HUB and evaluate their start-up potential
• 18^th June – Practical Workshops
• 19^th June – Pitching Event: Meeting Experienced Entrepreneurs, VC representatives and Industry Experts
• 20^th June – Joint trip to Sofia 

Funding

Traveling and accommodation costs are to be covered under ERASMUS + programme by the sending university.

Further details

Ideally the team will consist of 4 students, however individual participants or larger teams are also welcome. Each EUt+ alliance partner can send up to two teams of 4 students, i.e. max 8 students.

For any organisational issues of further details please contact Assoc. Prof. Vladislav Slavov e-mail: v-slavov@tu-sofia.bg