UNIVATION 2022

UniVation is an international entrepreneurship program for students, conducted by WSA. It brings together students from multiple universities to collaboratively analyze purpose-driven tech ventures from across the world, namely of former WSA winners.

THE CHALLENGE

Analyze a successful enterprise of a former WSA winner within an international and interdisciplinary team. Pitch the analysis in front of a jury and hopefully win.

THE BENEFITS

Students:

gain intercultural competencies
grow an international network
work on real businesses with social impact
join skill workshops
get career opportunities within WSA network

Universities:

include real ventures in their curriculum
open up the syllabus to new perspectives
join established and proved methodology & program
partake in international inspiration network

Venture Hosts:

get an analysis of their tech venture
exchange within a professional framework
communicate directly with student teams
earn new thoughts and insights
gain access to new talents

THE STRUCTURE

WSA UniVation consists of 2 phases, a GLOBAL and a EUROPEAN PHASE, providing participating students with the opportunity to work on two different case studies. It is also possible to enter only one program phase.

- The global phase takes 6 weeks, starting in October 2022. Students work virtually and independently in interdisciplinary teams on international ventures, coming from all over the world. Every team is supported by a team lead. Weekly meetings provided by WSA with opportunities for get together, team discussions, team leader talks. Webinars with specific support on team building, pitching and more every 2 weeks. At least 2 sessions per team with the enterprise founder.

- The European phase was split up in 2 parts: Part 1 took 3 weeks and started with the pitching of the European Young Innovators. Students from 2 universities in Graz were tracking the pitching session and had 3 weeks to work together with the enterprise founders to suggest possible improvements. On December 21, they themselved pitched their solutions in front of an international jury, their peers and professors.