Innovation and Entrepreneurial Festival 2024 is around the corner again!

The Innovation and Entrepreneurial Festival 2024 will take place from 7 to 10 October 2024 at BUT Faculty of Business and Management. The pilot year of the event, under the name Summer School of Entrepreneurship and Innovation 2023, was very successful at the FBM BUT and this year it continues in a new format that will again offer a variety of topics that develop entrepreneurship at BUT within the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem contriBUTe. The partner is the Finnish Tampere University of Applied Sciences, and in particular the university's Proakatemia department, which is dedicated to entrepreneurship education.

Come and share with us your thoughts and ideas in the development of entrepreneurship at BUT. The programme, which you will find at the end of this article, will be partly in Czech and partly in English. Registration is not required for most parts of the programme.

What can you expect and what are you invited to?

Opening panel (CZE), Monday 7. 10. 2024

Opening panel discussion of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Festival on the topic "Why do we need an innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem at the university? The different topics that will be discussed are the importance of university education in the 21st century, what are the fundamental roles of a university and how are they related to each other, and last but not least, what can a university innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem contribute.

Introduction, Finnovation (ENG), Thuesday 8. 10. 2024

It offers a unique exploration of Finnish culture and business through practical innovation tools. Participants will be introduced to the core principles that have shaped Finland's entrepreneurial ecosystem, learning firsthand how Finnish values like sustainability, collaboration, and efficiency play a vital role in business success. The workshop will also provide hands-on experience with key innovation tools commonly used in Finland, giving attendees practical strategies they can implement in their own ventures. It's an opportunity to immerse in Finnish business culture and walk away with actionable tools for innovation and growth.

Workshop Brand Development - What is the brand promise and how to define it? (CZE), Thuesday 8. 10. 2024

Developing a new or existing brand is more than just designing a new logo or label. In fact, brand development starts somewhere else entirely. A brand works when it enables customers to understand what you are offering them. Understanding a brand is only possible if it means something. A brand promise is not a slogan. It comes from the essence of what you offer. The Brand Development Workshop will take you through a series of steps from the product you offer to the clearly defined idea that forms the basis of a successful brand.   

Workshop – Basics of marketing and finance in business (ENG), Thuesday 8. 10. 2024

It is a practical workshop designed to provide participants with essential tools and knowledge to build a strong foundation in business. Focusing on two key pillars—marketing and finance—this workshop will equip attendees with the skills to develop effective marketing strategies, target the right audience, and understand the financial principles necessary for sustainable growth. Participants will gain hands-on experience in budgeting, financial planning, and branding, offering them a comprehensive overview of what it takes to succeed in today’s competitive business environment.

Workshop Competition - It's better to find your competition before it finds you... (CZE), Thuesday 8. 10. 2024

We can only assess the competition if we can clearly define it. How do you look at the competitive environment and define the right competitors? Why is this important and why is it a mistake to focus on the wrong competitors? Who is a good competitor?  Regardless of the quality of the products you offer, the existence and quantity of competitors will ultimately be decided by the customer. The last thing you need in business is to be beaten by a competitor you didn't know about until the last minute. In the Competition workshop, you'll use practical examples to try out approaches that will help you meet this challenge.  

Workshop – Effective leadership in business (ENG), Thuesday 8. 10. 2024

It is a dynamic workshop focused on empowering participants to become strong leaders, not just managers. This workshop delves into different types of leadership, emphasizing the distinction between leading and managing. Attendees will explore key leadership styles, gain insights into what makes an effective leader, and learn practical tools for inspiring and guiding teams. By the end of the session, participants will be equipped with strategies to lead with confidence, foster collaboration, and drive success within their organizations.

Project fair (ENG), Wednesday 9. 10. 2024

It is an engaging and interactive event where attendees can explore a variety of stands hosted by our partners. Each stand showcases innovative projects, services, and products across different industries. This workshop provides a valuable opportunity for participants to connect with industry experts, learn about cutting-edge developments, and discover potential collaborations. It’s an open, hands-on experience designed to foster networking, inspiration, and the exchange of ideas.

Speakers

Our speakers segment showcases industry experts and professionals who bring diverse perspectives and valuable insights. These speakers will share their experiences, knowledge, and strategies, offering participants inspiration and practical advice to help them in their entrepreneurial journeys. This is a great opportunity to learn from the best and gain fresh perspectives on business and innovation.

10:15 – 10:45 Ismo Huusko, Bright Leader
11:00 – 11:30 Carlos Gómez, The power of negotiation 
11:45 – 13:15 Luch Break
13:30 – 14:00 Raquel Vázquez, Entrepreneurship as a woman 
14:15 – 14:45 Taru Nurmala, Strategies for successful project management 
15:00 – 15:30 Le Nečas, How ideas evolve in a fast-moving startup 

PhD pitch contest (CZE), Wednesday 9. 10. 2024, REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Presentation competition (not only) for doctoral students - short "pitch" presentations in which the participants have to present the focus of their research, how the research results will be put into practice and what social and public impact they expect. The winner will receive a prize of CZK 10,000. The competition is under the patronage of Prof. Ing. Martin Weiter, Vice-rector for Research and Knowledge Transfer at the Brno University of Technology.

More information and registration form for the contest.

Workshop Idea development - using lean canvas approach (CZE), Thursday 10. 10. 2024

Nine out of ten start-ups fail. This well-known fact is useful for any business. In fact, business ideas or innovations have similar statistics. One of the most common reasons is that the idea or innovation simply doesn't fit the market. How can this be avoided? How can you develop the idea and check if it has potential? Do you want to develop your own idea or are you looking for a solution to a problem in your company? The Idea Development Workshop will take you through the journey from initial consideration to verifying that it could work. 

Workshop – How to start a business from scratch (ENG), Thursday 10. 10. 2024

It is a comprehensive workshop designed to guide aspiring entrepreneurs through the early stages of launching a business. It covers everything from idea generation to business planning, funding strategies, and initial operations. Participants will gain practical, step-by-step insights into what it takes to turn a concept into a successful business. Whether attendants are just starting out or looking to refine their approach, this workshop will equip them with the essential tools and knowledge to build their business from the ground up.

Programme of festival

Monday 7. 10. 2024

15:00 – 17:00  Opening panel, E342 FBM BUT, (CZE)
17:00 – 19:00 Networking, E342 FBM BUT, (CZE)

Thuesday 8. 10. 2024

9:45 – 10:00 Introduction, InprofoLab FBM BUT, (ENG)
10:15 – 11:45 Finnovation, InprofoLab FBM BUT (ENG)
12:00 – 13:00 Lunch Break, InprofoLab FBM BUT (ENG)

Worskshops:
13:00 – 15:30 R Brand Development - What is the brand promise and how to define it?, E342 FBM BUT, (CZE)
13:15 – 15:45 Basics of marketing and finance in business, InprofoLab FBM BUT (ENG)
16:00 – 18:00 K ompetition - It's better to find the competition before it finds you..., E342 FBM BUT, (CZE)
16:00 – 19:00 Effective Leadership in Business, Session room FBM BUT, (ENG)

Wednesday 9. 10. 2024

10:00 – 17:00 Project fair, E342 FBM BUT, (ENG)
15:00 – 17:00 PhD pitch contest, P163 FBM BUT, (CZE), registration form

Thursday 10. 10. 2024

Workshops:
10:00 – 12:30 R Idea development - using lean canvas approach, E342 FBM BUT, (CZE)
10:00 – 12:30 How to start a business from scratch, InprofoLab FBM BUT (ENG)