20 Sep 2017
Entrepreneurial Loughborough students attend European Innovation Academy
This summer, six Loughborough students and graduates attended the European Innovation Academy, a three-week entrepreneurship programme based in Portugal.
The European Innovation Academy invites students and graduates from across the world who are eager to learn how to start their own company.
Whether they have lots of experience or none at all, the academy provides them with the opportunity to hear from some of the top experts in the world who work for companies including Google and Amazon, as well as learn about the key components of running a successful business, such as marketing and finance.
Over the three weeks, students were put into teams and asked to work together to pitch a product at the end of the programme to some of the top international technology businesses, with the possibility of real investment at the end.
One of those highly commended by the judges was Loughborough engineering graduate Johnny Cartucho with his app ‘Tiger Time’ – a productivity app aimed at both professionals and students to help them make the most of their time.
Johnny developed Tiger Time through LSU’s Apply Yourself and also was a finalist in this year’s Launch-It competition at the University. It will soon be available to download from app stores.
Johnny was joined by fellow graduates Peter Cole and Priscilla Mukiibi, as well as Ibz Adegola, Laura Bradshaw and Elias Ruiz-Monserrat who are all current students.
Speaking about his experience, Peter said: “I now feel much more qualified and ready to tackle real world business problems with the knowledge that I've been able to try and test with expert guidance.”
Priscilla added: “I’ve grown in my thinking, grown in my interactions with people, and have learnt what it means to be an entrepreneur. I would encourage anyone to go to the European Innovation Academy.”