Fostering startups in the creative industries and connecting with them already at the university level presents unique opportunities. One significant opportunity is the potential for innovation and differentiation, as creative professionals often bring unique perspectives and ideas. Additionally, creative industries can strongly drive economic growth and cultural enrichment, offering insights into new business models and markets. To make use of these opportunities, universities and business schools can and should facilitate effective collaboration between creative professionals and entrepreneurs by creating interdisciplinary learning and working environments, offering specific mentorship/residencies and resources, and encouraging a culture of experimentation and innovation. Providing access to industry networks, funding opportunities, and practical support can help bridge the gap between creative ideas and viable business ventures, fostering a thriving startup ecosystem.
On this introductory note, on Thursday, 20th June 2024, the project team from the Faculty of Economics, Business and Tourism in Split (FEBT), one of the Capacity2Transform project partners, hosted an engaging panel discussion titled “The Role of Universities in Supporting Local Startup Ecosystems pwrd by C2T”. This event, held before an audience of around 90 students, university teachers, and professionals including entrepreneurs, was moderated by Dr Maja Ćukušić from FEBT. Insights from academic startup champions were provided by Dr. Sofía Louise Martínez (UMA, Spain), Kristina Coric (HdM, Germany), Carole Osmond and Kim Waechtler (UBO, France), and Ana Miličević (FON, Serbia). The discussion focused on best practices for connecting with experts from design, media, arts, and entertainment to foster the growth of startups within academic environments.
Here are some of the inspiring messages and insights shared by the panelists:
Creating interdisciplinary spaces and programmes
Dr. Sofía Louise Martínez (UMA, Spain) emphasised the importance of creating a physical space that is not tied to any specific Faculty or department. Such spaces encourage interaction and collaboration among students from different disciplines. Martínez shared the example of a new master’s programme that integrates business, arts, and technology, highlighting the need for a comprehensive approach to equipping students with diverse skills necessary for startups.
Fostering multidisciplinary collaboration
Carole Osmond and Kim Waechtler (UBO, France) introduced innovative programmes for doctoral students such as Junior Enterprise where students from different faculties offer their services to startups. These initiatives not only reduce costs for startups but also provide valuable practical experience for students and connect them to experts from different disciplines. They stressed the symbiotic relationship formed through these collaborations, this including the creative sector in particular.
Leveraging co-creation and ecosystem engagement
Kristina Coric (HdM, Germany) highlighted the value of co-creation and regular collaboration with the ecosystem. By organising hackathons and training activities co-created with other ecosystem actors, universities can maintain a dynamic and innovative environment. She added that Hochschule der Medien i.e. Stuttgart Media University is inherently multidisciplinary, but has similar issues as business schools struggling to ensure strong ties with academics and students from the field of business. Coric also emphasised the importance of integrating minority groups, such as women and international founders, into the startup ecosystem, ensuring inclusivity and diversity.
The power of co-design and expert programmes
Ana Miličević (FON, Serbia) shared her experience with co-design workshops that bring together diverse faculties and industries. These workshops are vital for setting expectations and mindsets among stakeholders. Miličević emphasised the importance of co-design and expert modelling programmes to foster innovation and collaboration, particularly in the media sector.
Key takeaways
The panellists identified several current trends and hot topics in their incubator programmes:
- Interdisciplinary integration: Mixing students from different fields to enhance creativity and innovation.
- Co-creation: Engaging with ecosystem actors to stay updated with the latest trends and practices.
- Establishing an artist-in-residence programme: This can provide creative professionals with a dedicated space to work and interact with business students, fostering a unique environment for inspiration and innovative cross-disciplinary projects.
- Inclusivity: Promoting programmes that support minorities in the startup ecosystem.
The panel discussion provided valuable insights into some good practices for supporting creative startup ecosystems. These strategies not only enhance the startup ecosystem but also prepare students and expose them to broader ideas and contexts necessary for entrepreneurial success. As the academic startup champions, heads of university incubators from Spain, France, Germany and Serbia, shared their experiences, it became clear that the integration of actors from diverse fields and continuous engagement with the ecosystem are key to driving innovation and growth in the (creative) startup landscape. We will use these insights to enhance our practices and better support our entrepreneurial community.
For more details and future events, visit our project website https://www.interreg-central.eu/projects/capacity2transform/. Let’s continue to bridge the gap between academia, startup ecosystem and the CCI sector, creating a vibrant and inclusive environment for future entrepreneurs.
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