The X Donostia WeekINN: fostering entrepreneurship
This edition was centered around the eXpedition towards entrepreneurship and innovation and the consolidation of San Sebastián in the field of science and innovation. Throughout its nine previous editions, the Donostia WeekINN has carried out 380 activities, which have had 33,000 participants, including 7,500 students, and more than 500 collaborators.
The ‘San Sebastian EKINN Entrepreneurship Summit’ project funded by the EU – NGEU Entrepreneurship and the participation of young people and women was the focus of this tenth edition, with the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Meeting held at the Kursaal on November 29 as a cornerstone of the week. The objective of the day was to open a space to connect start-ups, entrepreneurs, companies and related entities. The event included spaces and activities reserved for young people and women´s entrepreneurship, also addressed the main challenges faced by start-ups and facilitates meetings with potential investors. The “entrepreneurial mindset” was worked through a hackathon and an intensive seminar on innovative entrepreneurship, both activities prepared for young high school, vocational training and university students.
In addition to the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Meeting, this tenth edition of Donostia WeekINN had a wide range of recreational, educational and training activities to bring the reality of entrepreneurship to the new generations. From an “Escape Room” to strengthen skills related to entrepreneurship, to a theater space in which young people conveyed their concerns about their professional development, to augmented reality workshops or an eSport football competition, in collaboration with the local football club Real Sociedad, that took place at the Reale Arena in the preview of the Champions League match against RB Salzburg.
The X Donostia WeekInn ended with the Gala presentation of the VIII DSS Inn Innovative Company Awards with which Fomento San Sebastián recognizes companies that have made a strong commitment to innovation in their business projects, and are today a reference for their sector and, also, for the city. At the Gala, the “young innovative company” award was also delivered, as well as the “Consolidated company” award, and the recognition of an entity specially committed to innovation in the city.