From the very first keynote, one message rang clear: Entrepreneurship starts with clarity. “Know what you want – before life decides for you,” said Nermina Mumic, founder of Legitary. Her core message: if you don’t choose your path, life will choose it for you. It’s about recognizing real problems - and developing real solutions. Openness, a willingness to share ideas, and testing early were central themes.
The importance of networks and relationships was another strong thread. “It takes a village” - success needs a supportive, challenging, and nurturing environment. It's not just about the product; it’s about the people behind it. “We do business with people we like – and the product is second.”
During the open Q&A, personal topics like self-doubt surfaced. The advice? Create space for reflection, don’t judge yourself too harshly - and talk openly with others about it.
The evening started on a lively note thanks to Rudolf Dömötör (Entrepreneurship Avenue founder and Director of the WU Entrepreneurship Center) and Monique Schlömmer (Head of Operations, WU Entrepreneurship Center), who led an interactive game. They posed two key questions to the audience: “What is entrepreneurship for you?” and “What gets you started?” In their joint talk, they emphasized a mindset that sees problems not as obstacles but as opportunities - a launchpad for creativity. Entrepreneurship, they said, is fueled by passion, openness, and adaptability. The most important thing? Just start. “Dream big. Start now.”
The final keynote came from Bastian Krapinger-Rüther, co-founder of Flinn.AI. His message was crystal clear: Europe needs young people with a Can-Do-Mindset. Key ingredients for success? The right team, early testing, clear target groups, and well-designed experiments. He also highlighted the value of building an advisory board with strong, experienced voices.
And with the Kickoff complete, the journey continues. On April 7, Entrepreneurship Avenue 2025 launched its interactive Labs workshop series, where students can work on startup ideas with the support of experienced mentors and pitch training. A special shout-out to Head Organizers Anna Langen and Sofia Boneva, who - together with their team - are bringing Entrepreneurship Avenue 2025 to life!
