Under the guidance of an experienced chair (facilitator), invited mentors will deliver short power pitches sharing key takeaways and lessons learned from their professional experience related to the session’s theme. They will highlight crucial insights gained throughout their careers and present examples of successful entrepreneurial cases they have supported, including student entrepreneurs, academic innovators, and non-academic entrepreneurs.

Following the introductions, the facilitator will lead an open discussion and encourage mentees to ask questions. In the final part of the session, mentors will host thematic breakout rooms, and mentees will be able to choose the room most relevant to their interests and engage in deeper topic-specific discussion.

These sessions give mentees the opportunity to meet individually with a mentor of their choice to discuss their progress, challenges, and next development steps. Time slots will be made available through the Moodle platform and can be booked on a first come, first served basis to ensure fair access.

The session introduces a systematic methodology for translating a business model into a market-tested product. It covers agile principles for defining a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and approaches to iterative prototyping that ensure rapid learning and efficient resource use. Mentees are guided in applying structured user feedback loops to validate assumptions, refine product features, and align development with customer needs. The training also includes the use of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to monitor progress and support decision-making, thereby fostering the successful commercialisation of research outputs and early-stage ideas.

DATE: December 5 2025, from 11 a.m. to 13 p.m. CET

This session focuses on developing high-impact communication strategies and guiding mentees in preparing a structured investor pitch deck. Through hands-on coaching, mentees refine the articulation of their value proposition and practise techniques for negotiation, stakeholder engagement, and Q&A.

DATE: December 9 2025, from 11 a.m. to 13 p.m. CET

The session covers an overview of funding types relevant for start-ups and innovation projects, including grants, seed funding, angel investors, venture capital, and institutional support. It introduces the basics of capital structure planning and early-stage financial strategies, helping mentees understand how to map viable funding pipelines and assess eligibility requirements. The module also guides mentees through the preparation of a complete funding application package, such as proposals, budgets, and pitch elements. In addition, participants become familiar with entrepreneurship support infrastructures, including incubators, accelerators, innovation hubs, and university support services, and gain practical insight into how to access funding and engage effectively with investor networks.

DATE: December 11 2025, from 11 a.m. to 13 p.m. CET

Under the guidance of an experienced chair (facilitator), invited mentors will deliver short power pitches sharing key takeaways and lessons learned from their professional experience related to the session’s theme. They will highlight crucial insights gained throughout their careers and present examples of successful entrepreneurial cases they have supported, including student entrepreneurs, academic innovators, and non-academic entrepreneurs.

Following the introductions, the facilitator will lead an open discussion and encourage mentees to ask questions. In the final part of the session, mentors will host thematic breakout rooms, and mentees will be able to choose the room most relevant to their interests and engage in deeper topic-specific discussion.

These sessions give mentees the opportunity to meet individually with a mentor of their choice to discuss their progress, challenges, and next development steps. Time slots will be made available through the Moodle platform and can be booked on a first come, first served basis to ensure fair access.

In this session we start by defining your Personal Brand as an extension of your research and expertise. We will identify your unique “Expert Voice,” leveraging your academic background to build immediate credibility in the green sector. From there, we weave this personal authority into a Powerful Pitch that highlights your sustainable value proposition. We cover the practicalities of presenting your business model—from the circular economy foundations to the digital workflows that make it efficient. Crucially, we integrate “Defensive Pitching,” teaching you how to discuss your innovation’s performance and impact
while maintaining a clear strategy for protecting your intellectual property, such as patents and trademarks. We wrap up by refining your communication style to be clear and persuasive, ensuring you can navigate the international network of European entrepreneurs with confidence.

DATE: 24 April 2026, from 11 a.m. to 13 p.m. CET

This mentoring begins by auditing your current business model through the lens of Resource Efficiency and Circularity. We will identify specific areas where sustainable practices—such as waste reduction or digital optimization—actually lower longterm overhead and improve innovation performance. From there, we work on Value Proposition Refinement, ensuring that your “green” features are translated into tangible benefits for the customer, such as increased durability, lower energy costs,
or better brand alignment. We also explore the Regulatory Landscape, turning upcoming environmental standards into a first-mover advantage that leaves less-prepared competitors behind. To ensure this advantage is defensible, we incorporate strategies for Protecting Green Innovations, using patents and trademarks to secure your unique sustainable solutions. Finally, we develop the metrics needed to communicate this competitive edge to stakeholders, proving that your sustainability goals are directly linked to your department’s or startup’s strategic impact and funding opportunities

DATE: 21 May 2026, from 11 a.m. to 13 p.m. CET