In partnership with the U.S. Embassy in Slovenia, AmCham Slovenia once again successfully organized the Student Entrepreneurship and Internship (SEI) program, which connects study and business pathways. The program is aimed at ambitious students who want to deepen their knowledge of entrepreneurship and improve their employability.
On Monday, July 8, 2024, SEI 2024, the summer school of entrepreneurship, which brought together 22 students from various professional fields, kicked off. The two-week intensive program focused on entrepreneurship education, combining theoretical knowledge with practical experience. The aim of the program is to increase the employability of Slovenian students and give them an insight into the world of business.
During the first week of the program, the students visited various organizations and companies and gained valuable insights into different industries. With the help of guest lecturers, successful entrepreneurs, and mentors, they learned about the entrepreneurial ecosystem, the legal aspects of entrepreneurship, and the opportunities to develop and finance their ideas.
- Monday: The program kicked off with an introductory greeting, a visit to Labena, which included tours of some of their laboratories, and presentations on sustainable practices from a guest speaker from the National Institute of Chemistry and PlanetCare, as well as presentations on the economic outlook, delivered by IMAD, and monetary policy and the digital euro at Banka Slovenije.
- Tuesday: The students visited the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia to learn about Slovenia’s economic landscape and key industrial sectors. The students were inspired by the Štartaj Slovenija and Ustvarjalnik entrepreneurial stories and learned about the role of the Ljubljana University Incubator. In the afternoon, there was a lecture on the legal aspects of entrepreneurship by CMS Law.
- Wednesday: In the morning, the students learned about opportunities to work, study, and research in the U.S. In the afternoon, they visited Outbrain, where its founder Andraž Tori shared his entrepreneurial experience.
- Thursday: The students visited the PRO Plus media house and listened to the entrepreneurial story of Urh Kovačič, who was awarded the AmCham Top Potential of 2024, from PsyBit. In the afternoon, they learned about the possibilities of financing their ideas through Pan-Adria Partners and the Business Angels of Slovenia.
- Friday: The students listened to presentations on the biohacking startup The NU and the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs at Technology Park Ljubljana. They then visited the global IT company XLAB and the Sežana Incubator, where they were inspired by successful business stories. The day ended with a presentation of Paradigma Technologies.
In the second week, entrepreneurship professor Jay Ebben guided the students through the Learn Start Up method, from the entrepreneurial idea to the realization. Participants worked in teams to research and develop their own business concepts, which they presented on the last day of the program.
The two-week SEI 2024 program included:
- Lectures on entrepreneurship and economics, enriched with practical examples and experiences of successful entrepreneurs;
- Field visits to various companies and institutions;
- Guest lectures with leading experts;
- Teamwork and prototype development;
- Networking with ambitious peers and successful entrepreneurs;
- The opportunity to join the Talent Pool.
Once again, SEI 2024 has proven its value in connecting study pathways with business opportunities, enabling students to gain invaluable experience and skills for their future careers.
