NordConnect sparks entrepreneurial interests of international residents

NordConnect engaged international residents in a two-day entrepreneurial boot camp, from September 10^th–11^th. In attendance from the University campus were Business Mill, LUTES, LABeko2 Project, among those included Wirma yrityspalvelut, and Imatran Seudun Kehitysyhtiö Oy – KEHY. The event was hosted by Saimaan ammattiopisto Sampo, Charge Incubator and Crossing Borders.

The goal was to invite all international residents to bring their business ideas, with a passion for turning their dreams into reality. The two-day intensive event would provide certificates to all participants (Wirma 2024).

The two-day intensive bootcamp gave international residents the chance to engage with the entrepreneurial ecosystem within South Karelia, serving as a great opportunity to receive practical, professional, advice and experience. 13 participants were in attendance over the course of the two days, with the chance to ask as many questions as possible, while pitching their ideas and receiving valuable feedback. Among those participants were international students of LUT/LAB University.

Could a similar bootcamp on campus engage more international students?

A key goal of LABeko2 ‒ network, develop, internationalise, succeed (LAB 2024), is to not only engage in these networking events, but also maintain, develop, and further deepen the relationships created by these events. There is potential for similar workshop events on campus to reach more international students, allowing them to further engage with the entrepreneurial ecosystem on campus, and in the South Karelia region.

Hosting more workshop events, allows ideas to flow throughout the ecosystem, strengthening networks between international students and the greater South Karelian entrepreneurship ecosystem. With the new facilities available at Skinnarila campus, the entrepreneurship ecosystem is keen to invite students and businesses to put them to good use, seeing everything the campus ecosystem has to offer.

The NordConnect bootcamp highlighted not just the passion of the participants, but also the partners and cooperatives that were present to give as much knowledge and feedback as was possible. Creating more of these possibilities can only further help in the sharing of such knowledge, for international students seeking to create a career, network, and community in South Karelia.

References

LAB. 2024. LABeko2 ‒ network, develop, internationalise, succeed. Project plan. LAB University of Applied Sciences. Cited 16 Sep 2024. Available at https://lab.fi/fi/projekti/labeko2-verkostoidu-kehita-kansainvalisty-menesty

Wirma. 2024. NordConnect Entrepreneurship Bootcamp. Cited 16 Sep 2024. Available at https://www.wirma.fi/tapahtumat/nordconnect-entrepreneurship-bootcamp