Teenovator "Weekend of Ideas" - Bulgaria
My experience developing and presenting a business idea during the Teenovator program.
About Teenovator's Weekend of Ideas
I participated in Teenovator's "Weekend of Ideas," an intensive two-day event where our team refined our business concept and prepared to present it to investors. Over the preceding three months, we had developed our business idea, progressively improving it with feedback from mentors and industry experts.
Our Team
Working with two other talented students, we formed a cohesive team focused on developing a viable business plan. Each of us brought different skills to the table - technical knowledge, marketing insights, and financial planning. Together, we navigated the challenges of entrepreneurship, learning from each other while creating something innovative.
Program: Teenovator 7, BulgariaThe Presentation Challenge
The culmination of our hard work was a five-minute presentation in front of real investors. We had to distill months of development into a concise, compelling pitch that communicated both our vision and our business model. The pressure was high, but the experience was invaluable.
Learning from Mentors
Throughout the program, we had the privilege of attending lectures and workshops led by successful entrepreneurs and industry experts. These mentors provided critical feedback on our ideas and shared insights from their own entrepreneurial journeys, helping us avoid common pitfalls.
What I gained from the experience:
Presentation Skills
Teamwork
Business Planning
My reflections on Teenovator:
Participating in Teenovator's "Weekend of Ideas" was a transformative experience that pushed me beyond my comfort zone. As someone with a technical background, delving into business development expanded my perspective and showed me how technology and entrepreneurship intersect. The intensive preparation and the adrenaline of presenting to real investors taught me more about clear communication than any classroom could. I learned to distill complex ideas into accessible concepts that could engage and persuade an audience. Perhaps most valuable was the network of peers, mentors, and industry professionals I connected with. These relationships continue to provide inspiration and opportunities long after the program ended. I would recommend this experience to any young person interested in innovation and entrepreneurship!