FUNDED PROJECTS
FUTUREFOUNDERS
The initiative aims to create an online program for new and future entrepreneurs across ENLIGHT universities, targeting students, graduates, and staff.
Category: Incubator Grant
University:
Comenius University Bratislava, University of Galway
Period:
2025-2027
The initiative aims to create an online program for new and future entrepreneurs across ENLIGHT universities, targeting students, graduates, and staff. This program addresses six key focus areas relevant to global challenges and social impact ventures: Health and Well-being, Digital revolution and Impact of digitization, Climate Change, Energy and circular economy, Culture and Creativity, Equity. Comenius University will revitalize its inactive Science Park business incubator, while the University of Galway will leverage its expertise in experiential entrepreneurship education. Offering Micro-Credentials through short virtual courses, the program includes high-quality guest lectures and practical content focused on entrepreneurial skills, sustainability, and inclusivity. Participants can earn digital certificates upon completion, and the program promotes interdisciplinary collaboration among various faculties.
Personal highlight:
Emphasizing interdisciplinary, inclusive, and challenge-driven entrepreneurship, it seeks to attract a diverse range of participants, including those who may not typically identify as entrepreneurs.
The pilot program is designed with future scalability in mind, ensuring that digital learning materials such as recorded lectures and open-access resources will be accessible beyond the funding phase. Once fully developed, it will be integrated into the incubator ecosystems of partner universities like CU Science Park and the University of Galway’s IdeasLab, facilitating a pipeline to further innovation programs, hackathons, and incubation supports.
Participants and Stakeholders
- Coordinator: Comenius University Bratislava
- Other Partner Institutions: University of Galway
- Team Composition:
CU: Lenka Bednarova as a project lead
GAL: Natalie Walsh, Co-coordinator
Objectives
- Create an Online Program: Develop a virtual pathway for sustainable entrepreneurship education, focusing on ENLIGHT relevant areas.
- Revitalize Business Incubator: Restart the inactive Science Park business incubator at Comenius University.
- Provide Experiential Learning: Utilize expertise from IdeasLab at the University of Galway to enhance practical entrepreneurship education.
- Offer Micro-Credentials: Issue digital certificates for participants completing short virtual courses led by expert guest lecturers.
- Promote Interdisciplinarity: Engage students and staff from diverse backgrounds across ENLIGHT universities.
- Encourage Entrepreneurial Mindset: Equip graduates with skills linked to sustainability, critical thinking, and network-building.
Contact
Ing. Lenka Bednárová, PhD., Science Park Bratislava & Faculty of Management
Additional information
Learning Outcomes
- Develop an entrepreneurial mindset and understanding of sustainability.
- Validate and refine business ideas within a flagship areas.
- Establish networks across universities and industry.
Expected Outputs
- 10 recorded lectures, 1 online exam or assignment, and digital certificates for achievers, aiming for at least 20 certified graduates ready to launch their ventures.
In the medium term, the initiative aims for substantial growth in participation, targeting over 100 participants across the ENLIGHT network through ongoing course offerings and collaborative dissemination. Ultimately, the initiative aspires to establish a transdisciplinary ENLIGHT entrepreneurial education community capable of tackling Europe’s pressing challenges through inclusive and sustainable innovation.