The three-day International Startup Academy began with a grand opening at the Faculty of Economics at UGD, which from April 23 to 25 brings together high school students and undergraduates from Macedonia and Bulgaria in joint work on developing innovative business ideas.
The Academy is being implemented in coordination between Goce Delcev University – Stip and the American Corner – Stip, with the support of the US Embassy in North Macedonia, and is a platform for encouraging entrepreneurship, innovation and regional cooperation among young people.
UGD Vice-Rector for Development, Prof. Dr. Darko Lazarov, emphasized that the academy aims to enable young people not only to acquire new knowledge, but also to transform their ideas into real businesses.
“This international startup academy should allow students to hear new concepts of entrepreneurship and innovation, but also to develop their business ideas into real startups through interactive work. Our goal is to build an ecosystem in which students will not only acquire academic knowledge, but will also be prepared to become future entrepreneurs and creators of new jobs,” said Lazarov.
He added that the University is already working on developing a startup center, as part of a broader strategy to support innovation and connect with potential investors.
The coordinator of the American Corner – Stip, Blagoj Trajkov, indicated that the academy is attended by about 50 young people who will work on developing and presenting their ideas during the three days.
“The main goal is for young people to acquire entrepreneurial skills, but also to connect with each other, exchange ideas and create a basis for further cooperation. This is the second edition of the academy, but the first with an international character,” Trajkov emphasized.
Participants assess the academy as a significant opportunity to gain new experiences and contacts. High school student from Bulgaria, Vladislav Kolev, says he is pleased with the reception and expects to gain new knowledge and acquaintances.
“We feel very accepted. I am here to learn new things and meet people. I expect to work together and come up with a good idea,” said Kolev.
A high school student from Kočani, Anja Sitnovska, has a similar opinion, emphasizing that the academy offers practical knowledge for developing business ideas.
“Here we can gain knowledge on how to start our own business and how to develop the idea. Additionally, we have created new friendships and exchanged experiences, which is especially important because the academy is international,” Sitnovska emphasized.
Within the academy, participants will work with mentors, develop their ideas, and present them to an expert jury, with the aim of their further realization and potential transformation into sustainable startup businesses.
