Spark innovative thinking: A week when students from 12 universities became entrepreneurs

Imagine spending five days with people from ten different countries. They speak different languages, study different fields, and dream of different futures. Then you sit down with them at one table and start building a business that must hold up in front of an audience by the end of the week. No previous knowledge, no comfort zone. Just five days, a lot of energy, and a sharp deadline.

This was the Blended Intensive Programme – Spark innovative thinking and bring your business ideas to life, hosted in June by NEWTON University and the NEWTON Business Accelerator. Twenty-seven students from eleven universities across the Balkans and Central Europe came to Prague. They were joined by one NU Premium student, bringing the group to 28 young entrepreneurs from twelve universities.

A new challenge every day

Participants were divided into five mixed teams, deliberately diverse in terms of country and gender balance. Together, they went through the entire business cycle: from identifying opportunities and validating ideas, through market research, to financing and investment readiness. The outcome was clear – a pitch deck for a real business.

“NEWTON University and the NEWTON Business Accelerator turned into an entrepreneurial laboratory for a week,” explains programme guarantor Margareta Křížová. “Students from twelve partner universities collaborated on creating real business projects. Without knowing their team beforehand, without a comfort zone. It was a challenge that tested their ability to adapt quickly, work under pressure, and look at business from new perspectives.”

Practical know-how from mentors

Experienced mentors who themselves do business and know its reality provided expert guidance. Margareta Křížová focused on finance and investors, Karel “Mindless” Novotný brought his view on brand building and marketing, Jan Jelínek introduced students to design thinking, and Peter Meža opened the topic of go-to-market strategy.

Experiences that stay with you

The intensive work was complemented by a rich side programme. A networking startup café with prosecco and a view of Prague, the interactive Pilsner Urquell Experience, a run in Stromovka Park, and Thursday’s Balkan Bashavel. One of the highlights came during the certificate ceremony. When a student arrived late, she was asked to dance in front of everyone as a “penalty”. She invited three of her friends to join, and together they delivered a spontaneous four-minute performance of a traditional Balkan dance, to the delight of the entire audience.

Why you will want to join next time

“At the NEWTON Business Accelerator, we do not slow down even in summer,” adds Sabina Černá. “NBA Summer Week was full of challenges, collaboration, improvisation, and fine-tuning ideas into feasible business ventures. I was surprised by the proactivity of the participants, who continued working on their projects even after the official sessions ended. And although five days is a short time, all the ideas were developed into high-quality pitch decks. It was immediately clear that many had the potential to grow into successful businesses. That is exactly why we know this format makes sense.”

The programme showed that five days is enough to turn an ordinary week into an experience that moves students years ahead. And who knows, maybe next time it will be you among them.