The Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) NextGen Entrepreneurs, organised jointly by PAR University of Applied Sciences, AVANS University, and ISLA Gaia in Porto, brought together students from five European higher education institutions to explore entrepreneurship, innovation, and the future of work through an intensive international learning experience. Hosted in Porto, a city recognised for its strong entrepreneurial spirit and creative energy, the programme provided students with an opportunity to collaborate in multicultural teams while developing startup ideas aimed at addressing contemporary market and societal challenges.
Throughout the programme, participants worked on entrepreneurial concepts, business models, and innovative solutions connected to emerging trends in digital transformation, sustainability, and changing labour market expectations. By combining practical workshops, mentorship, teamwork, and intercultural exchange, students developed key future-oriented competencies such as communication, adaptability, leadership, problem-solving, creativity, and entrepreneurial thinking – skills increasingly recognised as essential in the evolving world of work.
A central part of the programme was the final pitching competition organised in a Dragon’s Den format, where student teams presented their startup proposals before a panel simulating investors and industry professionals. This experiential approach encouraged students to strengthen their public speaking, persuasion, teamwork, and strategic thinking abilities while gaining confidence in presenting innovative business ideas in a competitive environment.
By participating in and co-organising initiatives such as NextGen Entrepreneurs, PAR University of Applied Sciences continues to support experiential learning, international collaboration, entrepreneurship education, and the development of competencies required for the future of work, empowering students to become proactive, innovative, and socially responsible professionals in a rapidly changing global environment.
