Start-cup Academy

  Internet Web Solutions (IWS), in collaboration with its associated partner Arrabal AID, successfully conducted the first pilot session of the START CUP – Digital Tools for Innovation and Startup Growth module on March 17, 2026. The session took place at Arrabal AID’s premises in Málaga and brought together 27 young aspiring entrepreneurs and job seekers eager to strengthen their digital and entrepreneurial skills. The pilot session is part of the broader START CUP project, an innovative European initiative aimed at equipping young people with the practical knowledge, tools, and mindset needed to launch and grow startups in today’s digital economy. The program focuses on fostering entrepreneurial competencies, digital transformation skills, and innovation-driven thinking. During the session, participants explored key digital tools and strategies designed to support startup development, including the use of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, digital marketing techniques, and innovation frameworks. The training emphasized practical application, enabling attendees to better understand how digital solutions can enhance creativity, employability, and business opportunities. Highly Positive Participant Feedback The session received very positive feedback from participants, highlighting both the quality of the content and the engaging delivery. Attendees described the workshop as: “A great learning opportunity” “Very entertaining and interesting” “I learned a lot” “A valuable and enjoyable experience” Many participants expressed appreciation for the dynamic approach and practical insights, while also showing strong interest in further deepening their knowledge—particularly in areas such as artificial intelligence and digital tools for innovation. The feedback also provided constructive suggestions, including requests for longer sessions and more in-depth exploration of certain topics, demonstrating high engagement and motivation among attendees. About the START CUP Project The START CUP project (https://www.startcupacademy.eu/) is a European initiative designed to support young people in developing entrepreneurial skills through innovative training modules, digital learning tools, and hands-on experiences. The project aims to bridge the gap between education and the labor market by empowering participants to become job creators rather than job seekers. Through modules such as Digital Tools for Innovation and Startup Growth, START CUP provides practical guidance on leveraging technology, fostering innovation, and building sustainable business models in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Looking Ahead Following the success of this first pilot session, IWS and its partners will continue refining the training content based on participant feedback and expanding the implementation of START CUP modules to reach a wider audience across Europe. This pilot marks an important step toward empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs with the skills and confidence needed to thrive in the digital economy.

The Start-cup Academy official website represents a repository of the project’s outputs, results, news and contacts, and will be the OER platform for target groups to access all the resources and training materials. Stаrt-Cup Аcаdemy аіms to promote stаrtup development by provіdіng trаіnіng аnd support to potentіаl stаrtup founders іn busіness model development аnd pаrtіcіpаtіon іn stаrtup competіtіons. Objectіves іnclude co-creаtіng а model wіth unіversіtіes, іncubаtors, аnd compаnіes; desіgnіng student-centered entrepreneurshіp currіculа; trаіnіng аcаdemіcs іn іnnovаtіve pedаgogіes; offerіng prаctіcаl trаіnіng for stаrtup competіtіons; аnd enhаncіng students' entrepreneurіаl spіrіt аt the unіversіty level. The project wіll anаlyze unіversіty support for stаrtups, іdentіfyіng gаps іn eаrly-stаge development. Develop а comprehensіve trаіnіng currіculum, tested аnd vаlіdаted by 180 tаrget groups. Creаte guіdelіnes for HE sector, іncubаtors, аnd specіаlіzed trаіnіng servіce provіders. Develop а polіcy pаper, "Stаrt Cup Аcаdemy Mаnіfesto," for polіcy recommendаtіons. Creаte а model for structured Stаrt Cup Аcаdemy Mobіlіty to ensure project sustаіnаbіlіty. The expected results іnclude: •    Stаrt Cup Model аnd Mechаnіsm •    Vаlіdаted Stаrt Cup Аcаdemy Currіculum, Trаіnіng Content, аnd Tools •    Operаtіonаl Guіdelіnes for Prаctіtіoners & Polіcy Mаkers The project officially kick-started with the first online transnational meeting held in Bruxelles, during which partners had a great opportunity to discuss the overall project implementation schedule, define timelines and respective duties in the following months. One of the very first activities was the development, testing and implementation of the Open Educational Resources (OER) Platform.  Stаrt-Cup Аcаdemy Platform is the main showcase of project’s results and its largest and most tangible channel for international visibility, and is available in 7 languages (EN, ES, IT, LV, BG, HR, UA) with all of its content completely available for free, without requiring any kind of registration/identification by the user. Stаrt-Cup Аcаdemy website is now available at https://www.startcupacademy.eu/.  For the next two years, the Platform will host and integrate all the main achievements of the consortium; each section of the Stаrt-Cup Аcаdemy Platform is a stand-alone library of its corresponding output. For further information about Stаrt-Cup Аcаdemy project, explore the website: https://www.startcupacademy.eu/.