Silvia Aparicio, Vice-Rector of Academic Planning and Professorship of the European University of the Atlantic (UNEATLANTICO) and academic director of the degree in Administration and Management of Enterprises (ADE) spoke on behalf of the university and the Foundation for Innovation and Development (FIDBAN), of which UNEATLANTICO is part of the board, in the presentation of the thirteenth edition of the STARTinnova project, organized by Diario Montañés.
FIDBAN, promoted by UNEATLANTICO and sponsor of the Startinnova programme, made an intervention during the opening of the thirteenth edition of the project. This event took place in the Sala Argenta of the Palacio de Festivales de Santander with a wide attendance by a variety of educational centers, institutions and companies that have supported STARTinnova since its inception.
In his speech at the opening of the XIII edition of StartInnova, Aparicio defined the program as «the perfect start to train the eye and test the decisions» that they will then use in their working career. He also stressed the importance of understanding entrepreneurship as a process that goes beyond the initial idea: ‘Entrepreneurship is not just about having a great idea; it’s about knowing what to do and how to do it,’ he said, underlining that the real challenge is to transform a proposal into a sustainable business.
To conclude, he issued a clear invitation to the students: «That they dare to generate value and that this value has an impact on society».
For his part, Diego Lainz, UNEATLANTICO teacher and director of FIDBAN adds that FIDBAN collaborates with STARTInnova, reinforcing its commitment to entrepreneurship and innovation among students. The foundation’s support to STARTInnova offers youth projects the opportunity to receive expert advice, and who knows, also the possibility of accessing rounds of investment for their real development».
It should be noted that UNEATLANTICO has hosted different phases of the STARTinnova project, a project organized by Diario Montañés, which focuses on promoting youth entrepreneurship and bringing young entrepreneurs closer to potential investors. STARTinnova is the most consolidated youth entrepreneurship project in Cantabria, currently has twelve editions held and has the participation of 80 schools, 6,500 participating students and 60 companies.