American University in Bulgaria
Spend three memorable days at the American University in Bulgaria, working on your business ideas!
This event will gather 50 high-school students (25 Bulgarian, 25 Macedonian, 9-12 grade, ages 16 - 18) for a three-day intensive program, hosted at the American University in Bulgaria. The Academy has two parts:
American University in Bulgaria, Blagoevgrad
( Friday - Sunday ) 20 October 2023 to 22 October 2023.
Spend three days with your peers who have similar interests to yours. Enjoy the city together, network, and spend time in productive conversations.
You will get an enlightened understanding of how to start your own business ventures and work with peers on your business ideas.
The Academy is not the end of our journey together but rather the beginning. We have more than 100+ program alumni that have access to numerous opportunities.
The first American-style, English language, liberal arts educational institution in Eastern Europe, the American University in Bulgaria (AUBG) is a unique cooperative venture established with the support of the U.S. and Bulgarian governments, the Open Society Institute, and the University of Maine. The lively town of Blagoevgrad in southwest Bulgaria has become a cradle of academic excellence, creativity and cultural diversity. Nowadays, around 1100 curious, committed and talented students from over 40 countries come together to live and study in a supportive and secure community and immerse themselves in our first-rate American liberal arts education.
On the first day of our startup academy, you will arrive with excitement and energy to AUBG. Through a series of engaging team-building activities, you'll connect with like-minded high-school students and form teams that will collaborate on turning your business ideas into reality.
On the second day, you will dive deeper into refining your business ventures. With the guidance of experienced mentors by your side, you'll navigate the intricacies of entrepreneurship, fine-tune your strategies, and transform your ideas into actionable plans. This day is all about harnessing creativity and expertise to take your startup to the next level.
On the third day, you will put your hard work and dedication to the test as you prepare to pitch your business ideas. Standing before your peers and esteemed mentors, each team will showcase their innovations, strategies, and market potential. This is your chance to shine, receive valuable feedback, and gain insights that can catalyze your entrepreneurial success.
Engage in dynamic teambuilding games during the day, fostering collaboration and unleashing your creative potential. As the sun sets, immerse yourself in captivating evening activities that promise networking, fun, and inspiration.
If you are accepted as one of the participants, the Academy will be free of charge. We will also cover the costs associated with accommodation, meals, and transportation to Blagoevgrad.
Before you arrive in Blagoevgrad, you will have the chance to attend more than 7 online lectures dedicated on idea validation, how to find your ideal customers, how to analyze the competition in your industry, how to structure your business model and pricing, and other valuable topics that will help you come prepared to the Startup Academy.
This Academy would have been impossible without the support of our main sponsor – The U.S. Embassy in Bulgaria & our partners at the American University in Bulgaria.