Unlocking Entrepreneurial Excellence: MRU Students' Experience at the European Innovation Academy in Porto, Portugal

For 14 incredible Mount Royal University students, the summer of 2023 signified a remarkable journey for their academic careers. For the first time, the Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship sent students to the European Innovation Academy (EIA) for three weeks in Porto, Portugal. The students were given the opportunity to participate in an exciting and fun-filled program focused on propelling young entrepreneurs from an idea to a business in three weeks.

From July 16th to August 4th, 2023, the University of Porto hosted EIA for students worldwide, allowing participants and professionals to connect internationally. EIA is different from your typical classroom setting. It is a hands-on, dynamic experience that challenges its students to tap into their entrepreneurial spirit to innovate and transform ideas by teaming up with a set of different individuals. The event's primary goal is to equip students with the essential foundational skills required for entrepreneurship while providing invaluable insights from experienced professionals in the entrepreneurial space. EIA also opens doors to a world of different experiences. This exposure provides a fresh business perspective to participants while fostering international connections.

Student Highlight

Students who participate in EIA dive head-first into the entrepreneurial process. The students form teams of five; each member is given a critical role – Chief of Executive (CEO), Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Chief Design Officer (CDO) and Chief Product Officer (CPO). During EIA, the students have a 2-hour session with keynote speakers based on the day's topic. The students then work together to identify problems, understand target audiences, conduct customer research, test solutions, and perfect their pitches. The program also covers marketing, understanding and exploring user interface/user experience, and product development.

The EIA participants were carefully chosen by the Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (IIE). The main criteria for choosing attendees were the students' genuine interest in entrepreneurship and willingness to learn the ins and outs of building a business. 

Heartfelt congratulations to Caitlin McCarthy and her exceptional team for achieving a remarkable feat by securing a spot in the prestigious top 10 teams at EIA. We would also like to extend our warmest congratulations to Kirstyn Valentine and James Yahya for their outstanding achievement in receiving the prestigious Ed Quinones award, which comes with a well-deserved prize of $25,000.

 

 

We'd like to extend another congratulations to the other MRU students who represented the university and demonstrated exceptional dedication and skill in developing their businesses: Calem Davies, Sara Sail, Jack Barnett-Ritcey, David Baker, Ewa Sudyk, Chuck Imegwu, Danylo Roman, Bidzina Mosiashvili, Bronwyn Williams, Bianca Veltri, and Kyle Lazurko. 

Funding Support

The Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship generously provided funding support for the students who attended EIA to reduce the barriers associated with the program's cost. IIE provided approximately $20,000 for the successful candidates who partook in EIA. The International Education Department also contributed an additional $20,000. Furthermore, each participant received a $700 grant from the Students Association of Mount Royal University (SAMRU) through the Experiential Learning Fund. 

Meet some incredible students who participated in the EIA journey this summer and their experiences!

James Yahya, the CEO of Pillminder, was among the brilliant students who took part in the transformative journey at EIA in Portugal. He and his diverse international team collaborated over three weeks to address a common challenge, exemplifying the power of global collaboration. James's passion for healthcare and technology drives Pillminder's mission to revolutionize medication management, offering a user-friendly physical dispenser and mobile app. His commitment lies in bringing peace of mind to caregivers through accurate medication tracking and real-time updates, simplifying the care of loved ones.

“In just three weeks in Portugal, it’s amazing how five individuals from across the globe can come together, connect over a shared challenge and collaborate to seek a solution to better help people.” - James Yahya, CEO of Pillminder. 

Bianca Veltri, an EIA participant, is the CEO of Hive – an exciting and innovative app. Hive is reshaping how friends plan activities, making it a seamless and enjoyable experience. Hive is an all-in-one solution for discovering activities, booking them, and staying in touch with friends. At its core, Hive believes less time spent on planning means more quality time spent with friends!

“The European Innovation Academy was a great place to develop our business idea with incredible mentors, expose ourselves to concepts we've not yet thought of, and create long-lasting connections.” - Biance Veltri, CEO of Hive.

Chuks Imegwu is a notable EIA program participant and a recent Mount Royal University Alumni. Chuks Imegwu, the CTO of CryptoEd, assisted in successfully streamlining their clients' understanding of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology during EIA.

“EIA was a remarkable journey of friendship, learning, collaboration, and exploration. I joined EIA to challenge myself, gain practical skills, and explore a new culture.” - Chuks Imegwu, CTO of CryptoED and MRU Alumni.  

Sara Sail, the visionary CEO of Skip The Line, who participated in EIA, has transformed how people shop for clothing with her innovative fashion delivery app. 'Skip the Line’ empowers small businesses by strategically partnering them with established brick-and-mortar brands, ultimately spotlighting often-overlooked boutiques for easier consumer discovery. 

“The European Innovation Academy was an enlightening experience that allowed me to experience every stage of a start-up in a comfortable yet hands-on environment that allowed me to leverage the knowledge I gained even after the program.” - Sara Sail, CEO of Skip The Line.

The Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship is sending a new batch of student entrepreneurs to the European Innovation Academy! For more details and information about this opportunity, check out our EIA website and register for an upcoming informatio session. You can also get in touch with Erin Creegan-Dougherty at Edoug119@mtroyal.ca.