One of the goals of the European Reform University Alliance (ERUA) is to foster student entrepreneurship. A key example of these efforts was the Startup Bootcamp Heilbronn—an intensive entrepreneurship program for students from ERUA member universities, held at the Campus Founders in Heilbronn in May 2026. Eight students from SWPS University participated in the event, which was organized as part of the Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP).
Hands-On Innovation Training
Over five intensive days, students from four ERUA member universities — SWPS University (Poland), European University Viadrina (Germany), Mykolas Romeris University (Lithuania), and the New Bulgarian University (Bulgaria) — worked in international, interdisciplinary teams to develop solutions for real-world business challenges. They learned how to navigate every stage of the innovation process, including:
- Problem identification
- Mapping user needs
- Rapid prototyping
- Developing a Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
- Final pitch — presenting the solution to a panel of industry experts and investors
The program combined lectures and workshops led by startup and technology practitioners with intensive project work, visits to the local innovation ecosystem, and mentoring sessions.
Particpants of the Startup Bootcamp Heilbronn 2026
Blended Intensive Programme (BIP)
As a BIP, the bootcamp went beyond traditional student mobility. It served as an educational project that paired short-term physical mobility with online collaboration before and after the program, specifically designed to maximize learning outcomes in entrepreneurship, innovation, and multicultural teamwork.
Learning in a Real-World Business Environment
For SWPS University students, the bootcamp was a unique opportunity to test their adaptability under tight deadlines and uncertainty — mirroring the exact conditions real entrepreneurs face. Working side by side with peers from Bulgaria, Germany, and Lithuania allowed them to hone their cross-cultural communication skills and learn to build collaborative solutions despite cultural and linguistic differences.
ERUA Member Universities
Funding