KNEU is a leader in economic education in Ukraine, promoting the deepening of research activities of teachers, organizing partnerships with industry, licensing inventions and developing student entrepreneurship. This happens both at the level of university programs (core and elective disciplines) and in the format of additional activities (activities of the Entrepreneurship Center, business clinics, entrepreneurial project competitions, etc.)

The entrepreneurial learning ecosystem at KNEU provides for the comprehensive participation of students in entrepreneurial training programs that accelerate the launch of startups. First-year students already have the opportunity to take an introduction to entrepreneurship course that introduces them to concepts that help develop entrepreneurial skills. In general, KNEU offers a number of entrepreneurial courses, such as venture business, global entrepreneurship, innovative activities, and others. In addition, the university encourages students to participate in business plan competitions, summer and spring startups, school startups, and other entrepreneurial activities alongside their studies.

The development of a unique ecosystem of entrepreneurship education at KNEU was facilitated by the implementation of the Spark KNEU project, a joint initiative of the world's leading Henley Business School of the University of Reading, UK, and the Vadym Hetman Kyiv National Economic University. The project was implemented with the support of the British Council as part of the Creative Spark program to support entrepreneurship in higher education.

It is thanks to this project that the KNEU established the Center for Entrepreneurship, which coordinates a number of entrepreneurial events, conducts research on entrepreneurial ecosystems, academic entrepreneurship in Ukraine, and establishes external relations with the local business community and NGOs. A striking example of the Center's activities is the IDEAFEST student business idea competition, which provides an opportunity for university students and postgraduates to present their business ideas and receive support in their further commercialization. IDEAFEST winners receive funding for the development/testing of their business ideas, as well as mentoring from business experts. Participants submit an application and a short video about their business idea, which are evaluated by independent experts to select 5 finalists to present their projects at the competition. This event is usually attended by students, professors, and external experts, and the winner is selected by a reputable international jury based on the following criteria: originality and viability of the business idea, the presence of a rapidly growing market, an effective business model, and the possibility of its commercialization. Students can participate in the competition either individually or as a team. The Business Clinic is a unique platform at the KNEU Center for Entrepreneurship to receive constructive advice and counsel from well-known businessmen and practitioners.

In order to improve preparation for the competition, KNEU students and graduate students are offered the opportunity to discuss their business idea at a consultation at the KNEU Business Clinic. This service is provided to KNEU students and graduates in the format of 30-minute consultations with experienced entrepreneurs or investors who help students determine the further development of their business ideas. Students receive practical advice on how to evaluate a startup idea. It is worth noting that mentoring and counseling of students, graduates, and young entrepreneurs on the viability of their business ideas takes place with mentors and the latter provide their resume, a description of the business idea, and a list of questions that students would like to have answered.

Today, the business clinic is gaining a new dimension, as it is headed by a well-known KNEU graduate, Antonina Kutova. She is the managing partner of Pro Capital Investment, the founder of the inspiring space for women and children Ideal Space, and a co-founder of the Women Community Club. Thanks to Antonina Kutova, students will receive practical advice on how to evaluate and develop their business ideas, find investors to implement and monetize projects.

Learn more about IDEAFEST and other projects at https://cfe.kneu.edu.ua/та and on the KNEU Entrepreneurship Center's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/kneucfe.

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