Mountains24 Information Sheet

MOUNTAINS24        “Experience the steps to a start-up life in just 24 hours”

The MOUNTAINS24 Start-up competition will take participants through the steps of a start-up process in around 24 hours. It entails the process from idea creation to the teams presenting their working prototypes, with a pitch aimed at securing seed funding from venture capitalists or other investors.

The most important outcome is the goal-orientated and problem-based learning experience for the participants within a team-work context and a pressured time frame. Participants will gain a better understanding of the terms for entrepreneurship as well as their own individual strengths and skills while working with students from different disciplines.

The competition will include interdisciplinary student teams, each with four students. There will be 2-4 mentors coaching the teams through the process.  The Mentors are teachers and entrepreneurs that have experience in Start-up businesses, teamwork, problem-based learning, and creating business-models.  The teams will be supplied with prototyping materials and equipment, and copious cups of coffee and snacks.

Broadly speaking the following process will be followed:

• Student teams are created by randomly combining student-pairs from the participating institutions.
• The teams will be briefed by the mentors who will then be on hand to assist them through MOUNTAINS24
• The teams brainstorm to settle on their project
• The teams develop their prototype, their business plan, and their sales pitch
• The students’ endeavours are presented to a panel of 4-6 experienced judges and the workshop attendees towards the end of Day2.
• Results announced at the end of Day2