Monday, June 12, in the Nottara Theater hall in Bucharest, in the final of the national competition of business plans for high school students, organized within Marathon for Entrepreneurial Education initiated by the *National Confederation for Female Entrepreneurship (CONAF) in partnership with the County School Inspectorates and local authorities, with co-organizers "Bucharest City Hall", "PROEDUS", "Nottara Theatre", "Directorate of Culture, Education , Tourism" within PMB, more than 200 finalist students presented 35 projects and business ideas in front of a room full of supporters from all over the country.
In the first edition of Marathon for Entrepreneurial Education, which took place for 150 days, over 5.000 students from: Argeș, Bacău, Brașov, Brăila, Bihor, Buzău, Constanța, Galați, Neamț, Timiș, Tulcea and from the city of Bucharest enthusiastically participated in the entrepreneurial education classes in each county, completed with the competition that designated the best business plans, with potential and sustainability.
The first edition of the national competition was won by the project CITY BREAK, created by a team of students a "Gheorghe Munteanu Murgoci" National College from Brăila, presented in the contest by Mario Vlaviano and coordinated by professor Paul Pruș.
In the final ranking, the project ranked second CRABAM, which develops the NOLIGY app, created by students "Elena Cuza" National College from Bucharest, presented in the competition by Alain Cristian Ciobanu and Antonia Neacșu, coordinated by professor Marius Mîrzacu. Third place went to the project TALK TO HAND, made by the team Economic College from Buzau, with Karina Grigore as team leader and coordinating professors Cătălina Poștovei and Adina Enuș, presented as "a business that aims to have a global impact", because it implements "a translation application of mime-gestural language into spoken language and viceversa", being a solution for overcoming the communication barriers of people with hearing disabilities.
All the business plans that passed through both stages of the competitions, semi-final and final, were nominated for the final vote in a demonstration of talent, concentration, lucidity, team spirit and inspiration, observed Cristina Chiriac, president of CONAF.
"The marathon was not just a competition dedicated to students, but rather a first milestone for an entrepreneurial generation built on the solid foundation of knowledge, mentorship, seriousness and the courage to follow your dream. The finalist projects confirm the trends in the world of Romanian entrepreneurs, also reflected in the latest Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) 2021/2022 report, and describe the need to make a difference in a changing world, exactly the main impulse that now motivates Romanian entrepreneurs. A trend that reflects the generosity, sensitivity and lucidity of the younger generation, who, behold, consider that making a difference in the world is a more important goal than the temptation to build great wealth or a very high income, and much stronger than the goal to- and earn a living. Entrepreneurship is an essential pillar because only a strong, robust economy can deliver a reasonable standard of living to all citizens of a country. Romania's well-being will rest on a new generation of businesses adapted to the inevitable changes in society and the global economy. The more than 5.000 students who entered this fabulous competition understood that successful businesses are based on interdisciplinary, communication and critical thinking skills.", observed Cristina Chiriac.
Each participant in the competition Marathon for Entrepreneurial Education benefited from the support provided by teachers and mentors, business volunteers, certificates of participation, courses, vouchers, diplomas, awards, etc.
Marilen Gabriel Pirtea, rector of the Western University in Timișoara, evoked the importance of continuing entrepreneurial education in universities as well, an idea supported by CONAF and integrated in the collaboration protocol signed between the two entities.
"Mrs. CONAF President, Cristina Chiriac, actively participates in the projects of the UVT Student Entrepreneurial Society, being a member of the SAS board. The young people had an invaluable opportunity to participate in a special dialogue session with successful entrepreneurs and businessmen, from whom they had a lot to learn.
I have steadfastly argued that in today's world entrepreneurship is not a fad or a fad, but a foundation of the culture of modern society, entrepreneurship being a significant part of this ecosystem. The major merit of this project consists in achieving a unique meeting between valuable personalities of the business environment, people of concrete and facts, and students eager for experiences and accumulation of knowledge specific to business management", said Marilen Gabriel Pirtea, rector of UVT.
The selection of business projects was based on criteria that scored the business idea, the method of implementation and the estimated business results. Innovation, sustainability, feasibility, creativity, the manner in which the business plan was described weighed in the score awarded by the jury.
"The quality and variety of the projects we received in this first edition of the Marathon for Entrepreneurial Education was outstanding, expressed the enthusiasm of the students and exceeded the expectations of the jury.
The real Marathon started when CONAF decided that the entrepreneurial education of the young generation was an absolute priority for the organization. The marathon that ended in Bucharest will be resumed next year and I am convinced that as long as there are dedicated teachers and entrepreneurs who will continue to mentor future generations, we are on the right track. A business plan can be learned in a few hours, but courage and seriousness require a much deeper planting in society", concluded the president of CONAF.
During the awards ceremony, 12 mentions were also awarded as follows: mention number 12 awarded by Daniela Nuță, Founder of Ability HUB, President of the Federation of Employers for Education and Social Entrepreneurship and First Vice President of CONAF, team The Harmony, mention 11 granted by Alexandra Manolache, President of CONAF Buzau, the team JuniorJobs, mention 10 granted by Silvia Terziu, President of CONAF Timiș, the team Bob, mention 9 granted by Mihaela Scrieciu, Vice President of CONAF Constanța, to the team SeniorTim, mention 8 granted by Gianina Ionita, Vice President of CONAF Bucharest, to the team net led, mention 7 granted by Alina Breazu, CONAF Brașov, to the team Smartify, mention 6 granted by Elizabeth Balla, President of CONAF Bihor, the team The Dizzy Hope, mention 5 granted by Andreea Dumitrica, President of CONAF Argeș, to the team beautiful, mention 4 granted by Maria Verdesi, President of CONAF Galati, to the team Starquess, mention 3 granted by Paula Waltz President of CONAF Tulcea, the team Colegul.ro, mention 2 granted by Iulia Şerban, President of CONAF Neamț, the team Gryllus Farm, mention 1 granted by Dana Cherry, President of CONAF Brăila, the team revived,
The grand finale on June 12 at the Nottara Theater was moderated by Nicholas Catianis. The event was opened by Cristina Chiriac, CONAF President and Founder Flori de Ie, followed by special guests: Nicusor Dan, the mayor of Bucharest, Natalia Intotero, the President of the Education Committee in the Chamber of Deputies and Marilena It was, rector of the Western University of Timișoara.
The jury of the national stage consisted of: Alexander Moses, Director of Creative Industries, Banca Transilvania, Nicoleta Munteanu, founder of Kids in Business, Founder of Euroinsol and Vice President of CONAF, Amalia Năstase, President of the Ronald McDonald Children's Foundation and Vice President of CONAF, Dragons Anastasiu, President of Rethink Romania, Ramona Ivancea, Lenevo Business Development Manager, Alexandru Ion, Solutions Development Director, Vodafone Business, Adrian Maniuțiu, Founder of EM360, Loredana Apreutese, Alexander International General Manager, Cristina Chiriac, President of CONAF and Founder Flori de Ie, Cristian China Birta, Kooperativa 2.0, Alexandru Baloi, Global Partner Solutions Director at Microsoft Romania, Anca GREENHOUSE, Co-founder of BioAS.
In the vocational panel we were joined by: Ana Maria Brânza, Advisor to the Romanian Sports and Olympic Committee, Little Bogdan, CEO Alpin Holding Corporation and Virgil Stanescu, former captain of the National Basketball Team, Marius Moga, music artist and composer and Giani Chiriță, football player.
Marathon for Entrepreneurial Education is a project initiated by the National Confederation for Female Entrepreneurship (CONAF) and in partnership with the County School Inspectorates and local authorities.
The final of the Marathon for Entrepreneurial Education was carried out in partnership with the Ministry of Education, with co-organizers "Bucharest City Hall", "PROEDUS", "Nottara Theatre", "Directorate of Culture, Education, Tourism" within PMB.
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The event was made possible with the support of Banca Transilvania – Main Sponsor, E.On – Brave Partner, Vodafone – Brave Partner, Microsoft – Partner, of the sponsors: International Alexander Group, Lenovo Ći Nod, Robohub, Access to Education Association, Kids In Business, Skill Lab, Skvot, Robot Dreams, Silvia Albu Education & Training, Untold Production, Neversea, Netspace, Moesis By Angelo, Zimbria, Port Romanel, Bihor County Council, Safety Coffee, Mega Travel, Open Tribe, Nord Vest Bus, Icdl, Nora Business Consulting and media partners: Agerpress, Wall Street, Em 360 Grup, Clubantrepreneur.Ro, Antena 3 Constanța, Business &Living, La Pas Prin Brașov, Objetive Vocea Brăilei, Spotmedia.Ro, The Woman, Efemeia, Ultima Oră, Romania Pozitivă , Tele M, Transilvania Business, Metro.
*The National Confederation for Female Entrepreneurship (CONAF) is the strongest confederation in Romania that brings together the interests of entrepreneurs in the European spirit of gender equality and equal opportunities. CONAF represents the largest entity of its kind in Romania, an organization that promotes and supports Romanian entrepreneurship, an unprecedented thing that opens horizons for collaboration and cooperation both domestically and internationally. CONAF came into being as a result of the need to create a modern, sustainable and fair entrepreneurial culture, not only for female entrepreneurship, but also for the entire business environment. CONAF has in its composition 2 federations, 10 patronages, 5 associations, 24 branches and over 3.200 companies.
CONAF organizes important events for Romanian society, focused on continuous education, awareness and finding solutions for problems and areas of wide public interest. We develop and complete national projects with a strong impact, both for society and for the development strategies of central and local authorities. Among our projects, we mention the "Pact for Work", in partnership with FPPG, the "Pact for Entrepreneurial Education", the series of open dialogues, "Romanian Tourism: Between impasse and opportunity", the national project and the debate series "Pact for Youth", what generated, in addition to the echoes in the public space, legislative decisions and positive changes in mentalities. Hundreds of speakers and thousands of entrepreneurs debated in the most important Romanian cities, the most urgent problems, tried to find the optimal solutions and the best strategies for the future.
