On 18 June 2025, DOBA Business School in Maribor hosted the Grand Final of the FEM-Up Academy, the culminating event of the Erasmus+ project FEM-Up – Level Up Female Entrepreneurship and STEM Skills to Foster Women Empowerment. Under the banner “Innovate. Empower. Rise.”, the event marked the successful conclusion of a two-year collaboration among partners from Slovenia, Italy, Spain, Greece, Türkiye, and Malta.
A defining strength of the FEM-Up initiative was its strong synergy with other Erasmus+ projects focused on inclusion, innovation, and well-being. Collaborations and knowledge exchange with ASAP, BeWell, Ecosy4You, Game4Change, SMART, and baSE enriched the program’s methodology and impact—ensuring a more holistic, interdisciplinary approach to female empowerment through education, entrepreneurship, and emotional resilience.
Broad Stakeholder Engagement Across Europe
The FEM-Up Grand Final event brought together a vibrant and diverse community of stakeholders—including young women participants, mentors, educators, entrepreneurs, and policymakers from different European countries—all united by a shared commitment to advancing women’s empowerment and innovation. Central to this effort were the project’s partners: DOBA Business School (Slovenia), JO CONSULTING (Italy), CEEIM – The European Business and Innovation Center of Murcia (Spain), IED – Institute of Entrepreneurship Development (Greece), Istanbul University (Türkiye), and Skills Zone Malta (Malta). Together, they shared a common mission: to advance inclusive innovation and empower the next generation of female entrepreneurs across Europe. Out of 106 applicants, 46 young women aged 18–30 were selected to join the FEM-Up Academy. After an intensive 6-months training and mentoring program, six exceptional finalists presented STEM-based entrepreneurial projects.
FEM-Up Pitch Contest: Showcasing Ideas with Impact
The programme continued with the much-anticipated pitch contest, during which six finalists presented their innovative business ideas, each with a strong emphasis on social and environmental impact. Virginia Finocchiaro (Italy), Laura Mateo (Spain), Georgia Kanellopoulou (Greece), Buse Sarıkoca (Türkiye), Mirhea Vella (Malta), and Maruša Weitzer (Slovenia) pitched concepts ranging from biodegradable packaging and inclusive design to gamified education and feminist festivals. The winning pitch, MAWE – Cement Tiles by Maruša Weitzer, impressed the jury with its fusion of traditional craftsmanship and sustainability. Her vision earned her two valuable awards: a visual identity consultation from Jo Consulting in Italy and a business plan consultancy from the Institute of Entrepreneurship Development in Greece.
Keynote and Expert Round Table: Innovation Through Interdisciplinary Collaboration
The finale opened with a keynote that set the tone for the day. Milena Đukanović, a university professor, entrepreneuer and designer from Montenegro, shared her inspiring journey of reinvention — from exploring 3D printing to building a thriving creative business. Her story showcased the power of blending tradition with technology and emphasized how innovation thrives at the intersection of disciplines and diverse collaboration.
Later in the day, an expert round table titled “Fostering Innovation through Start-up Mentorship, Digital Engagement, Emotional Resilience, and Family Empowerment” brought together leading voices from across Europe. The discussion was moderated by Mateja Geder, coordinator of both the FEM-Up and SMART Erasmus+ projects. Mariella Camilleri, President of Business and Professional Women Malta, spoke about creating supportive networks for female professionals. Gordana Ćorić, entrepreneurship mentor and consultant from Croatia, addressed confidence-building through hands-on mentoring. Marina Letonja, entrepreneurship professor and institutional project manager of baSE, Game4Change, Ecosy4you projects, emphasized the need for cross-project learning. Matej Rus, Director of Venture Factory in Slovenia, highlighted the role of local incubators in fostering innovation. Milena Đukanović shared the value of creative reinvention and interdisciplinary approaches. Živa Veingerl Čič and Marko Divjak, both from DOBA Business School , spoke on mental well-being and emotional resilience as essential to entrepreneurial growth. Together, they underscored that empowering future changemakers requires more than business acumen—it demands emotional strength, inclusive ecosystems, and cooperation across sectors.
Running alongside the FEM-Up Grand Final was a dedicated session titled “Together for the Well-being and Safe Digital Future of Children and Adolescents”, led by Živa Veingerl Čič and Marko Divjak. Drawing on their work within the BeWell and ASAP Erasmus+ projects, the session addressed critical topics such as digital safety, emotional resilience, and the role of families and educators in supporting youth in the digital age.
A Launchpad for the Future
The momentum continued the following day as participants visited Venture Factory, Maribor’s leading start-up incubator. Hosted by its director, Matej Rus, one of the key figures in Slovenia’s entrepreneurial landscape, the visit gave participants a firsthand look at how local ecosystems support innovation and early-stage business development.
This was followed by a fast-paced business game, where participants worked through real-world entrepreneurial challenges, sharpening their strategic thinking, creativity, and teamwork. The day ended on a reflective note with a guided tour of Maribor, giving participants a chance to connect with the city’s cultural energy and local inspiration.
The FEM-Up Academy finale marked the conclusion of the project while also serving as a platform for future opportunities—demonstrating the potential of combining education, creativity, and international collaboration to support entrepreneurial growth.
