CONFERENCE
The idea of the project belongs to the patron of UL John J. Medveckis. As a Honorary Member of UL and US businessman of Latvian origin, he had invited his friends and other sponsors and patrons of UL to support creating of Business Idea fund of UL, which provides funding for the project.
“Here - in Latvia there already exist some projects that let apply business theory into practice, but the programme that combines a theoretical basis, financing and business incubation is absolutely unique,” says the head of the Business Ideas fund of UL and the coordinator of „STUDENT ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT” Janis Baltacs.
According to the programme each year within three years during “Business economics” course of study 140 students of different faculties of UL I teams will develop their business ideas and present them to the judgment of experienced entrepreneurs. As a result four teams with the strongest and the most advanced ideas will get a 6000 EUR financial support from Business Ideas fund of UL for idea implementation and opportunity to operate in the Business Incubator of UL students for 4 months. Finally, in the end of the incubation period the alumni of “STUDENTS ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT” together with regular participants of Business incubator will take part in a competition for the chance to win 10 000 EUR for further development of their company. Phases of the programme and key figures are shown in the infographic below.
Rector of UL prof. Mārcis Auziņš: “A year ago the Business Ideas fund of UL started focused work to raise funds for supporting students - young entrepreneurs. I am pleased that, thanks to the initiative of philanthropist John J. Medveckis, the support of Richard and Inese Driehaus and 67 patrons of UL and entrepreneurs, UL has now an opportunity to implement the programme that provides not only academic knowledge, but also gives an opportunity to qualify for significant start-up capital and practical support for students’ own business development. I wish participants good luck and (strong) ambition!”
Best wishes for participants were sent also from the Minister of Education and Science of Republic of Latvia – Mārīte Seile. She stressed that an initiative that promotes practical application of theoretical knowledge during studies is remarkable. “The development and growth of Latvia depends on knowledge, skill and creativity of its people. The programme will help young people think and act not like employees, but like employers and creators,” says Minister.
Participants of the programme – students of UL have been visiting classes of the improved "Business Economics" course of study for one week and distinguish high study colleagues’ motivation and activity during developing ideas. “Nowadays young people are afraid of starting business because they are not sure about viability of the idea, they don’t want to take credit agreements or can’t find a team. This programme provides support at all stages of the chain,” tells 2nd course student of UL Niks Jansons.
„STUDENT ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT” is planned to be continued until September 2017. Speaking about the strategic vision of the initiative, Janis Baltacs says that thanks to support of current and future patron, programme will be improved and expanded.
On February 19 LU rector prof. Mārcis Auziņš, sponsors and patrons of Business Idea fund - Filips Rajevskis, Ģirts Rungainis, Dana Behmane, Arvils Zeltiņš and Normunds Bergs, representatives of business organizations, teaching staff of UL and other participants of the programme took part in the opening event.
Rector of UL prof. Mārcis Auziņš: “A year ago the Business Ideas fund of UL started focused work to raise funds for supporting students - young entrepreneurs. I am pleased that, thanks to the initiative of philanthropist John J. Medveckis, the support of Richard and Inese Driehaus and 67 patrons of UL and entrepreneurs, UL has now an opportunity to implement the programme that provides not only academic knowledge, but also gives an opportunity to qualify for significant start-up capital and practical support for students’ own business development. I wish participants good luck and (strong) ambition!”
Best wishes for participants were sent also from the Minister of Education and Science of Republic of Latvia – Mārīte Seile. She stressed that an initiative that promotes practical application of theoretical knowledge during studies is remarkable. “The development and growth of Latvia depends on knowledge, skill and creativity of its people. The programme will help young people think and act not like employees, but like employers and creators,” says Minister.
Participants of the programme – students of UL have been visiting classes of the improved "Business Economics" course of study for one week and distinguish high study colleagues’ motivation and activity during developing ideas. “Nowadays young people are afraid of starting business because they are not sure about viability of the idea, they don’t want to take credit agreements or can’t find a team. This programme provides support at all stages of the chain,” tells 2nd course student of UL Niks Jansons.
„STUDENT ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT” is planned to be continued until September 2017. Speaking about the strategic vision of the initiative, Janis Baltacs says that thanks to support of current and future patron, programme will be improved and expanded.
On February 19 LU rector prof. Mārcis Auziņš, sponsors and patrons of Business Idea fund - Filips Rajevskis, Ģirts Rungainis, Dana Behmane, Arvils Zeltiņš and Normunds Bergs, representatives of business organizations, teaching staff of UL and other participants of the programme took part in the opening event.
, Business Ideas fund of UL and Business Incubator of UL open a unique programme „STUDENTS ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT” that will let students develop their own business ideas during the course of study and get 102 000 euro in total for starting business after it.){kind=link}