YOUNG BUSINESS EXPLORERS: AN INITIATIVE THAT PROMOTES THE ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT

The importance of entrepreneurship has grown significantly over recent years. This study explores the boundaries arising when entrepreneurship serves as point of connection between academia and businesses. Using this approach, a group of Spanish students were challenged to develop an innovative and viable business idea as though it was to be implemented professionally. The contest was presented and real-life professional activities were scheduled (networking, seminars, visits, ...) under the umbrella of an International Program, known as Young Business Explorers, in order to exploit the boundaries entrepreneurship offers when it is considered from an international perspective. Specifically, the university-industry collaboration is strengthened by the entrepreneurship project put into practice and after the first experience of the contest a positive impact was identified as participants attribute value to the opportunity of meeting their proposed goals in real scenarios. Moreover, creativity, risk assumption and proactivity are enhanced, all of which are attributes highly valued by companies.