What happens when experts from across Europe—spanning business, technology, psychology, and education—come together to rethink entrepreneurship? The result is more than inspiration. It becomes a candid, future-focused conversation about the true drivers of innovation: confidence, resilience, mentorship, emotional well-being, and meaningful collaboration.
This was the focus of the round table “Fostering Innovation through Start-up Mentorship, Digital Engagement, Emotional Resilience, and Family Empowerment”, hosted by DOBA Business School in Slovenia. Held as part of the FEM-Up Academy Grand Final, the session brought together a diverse panel of professionals dedicated to building more supportive and sustainable environments for women in entrepreneurship.
The purpose of this panel was to explore how different forms of support — from mentorship and emotional well-being to digital tools and inclusive family dynamics — can play a key role in encouraging entrepreneurship and innovation.
Main goal was to gain insights into how we can better equip the next generation of changemakers with the skills, networks, and mindset they need to thrive in an ever-evolving world.
The participants explored the unique challenges faced by women entrepreneurs, including a lack of self-confidence, fear of failure, and societal expectations that often prioritize family responsibilities over professional ambitions. The conversation emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to supporting women in overcoming these pressures — particularly through unlearning perfectionism and overthinking — while acknowledging that women often think, work, and lead differently than men.
In addition to addressing external barriers, the discussion also focused on internal strategies essential for entrepreneurial success, such as cultivating a resilient mindset and maintaining emotional well-being. Core themes included the importance of self-belief, passion, and staying authentic to one’s values as key drivers of innovation. Practical tools like “learned optimism” were highlighted as ways to manage stress and protect mental health, reinforcing that personal wellness is foundational to professional achievement.
The round table offered a holistic perspective on empowering future innovators — balancing the value of external mentorship with the necessity of inner strength. It recognized the growing contribution of women with STEM backgrounds as powerful voices within the start-up ecosystem.
Furthermore, the discussion highlighted how meaningful and necessary it is to seek synergies across different projects — even those targeting different audiences or tackling diverse themes. Sharing insights and experiences across disciplines contributes to collective knowledge, accelerates interdisciplinary learning, and helps generate new, innovative solutions. Such collaboration strengthens the ecosystem by avoiding fragmentation and encouraging shared ownership of progress toward a more inclusive and resilient future.
Interdisciplinary Perspectives and Inclusive Leadership
The panelists brought a wide range of perspectives from their respective fields, enriching the discussion with both depth and diversity. Mariella Camilleri from Malta, President of Business and Professional Women Malta, spoke about the importance of building strong professional networks to support women’s advancement. Gordana Ćorić, an entrepreneurship mentor from Croatia, emphasized the value of hands-on mentoring and practical skill-building as key components of entrepreneurial development.
Milena Đukanović, entrepreneuer, professor at the University of Montenegro and head of the SMART Innovation Center, highlighted the role of creative reinvention and interdisciplinary learning in driving innovation. Matej Rus, director of Venture Factory in Slovenia, discussed how local incubators play a crucial role in nurturing start-ups and supporting innovation at the community level. Marina Letonja from DOBA Business School, who manages Erasmus+ projects such as BASE, Game4Change, and Ecosy4You, shared insights on the importance of cross-project learning and collaboration. Representing DOBA Business School, Marko Divjak and Živa Veingerl Čič contributed their expertise in psychology and human resources, focusing on the essential role of mental well-being and psychological support in entrepreneurship.
The session was expertly moderated by Mateja Geder, head of DOBA’s project office and international cooperation and coordinator of both the FEM-Up and SMART Erasmus+ projects.
A Shared Vision for the Future
The round table concluded with a powerful message: innovation is not driven by external resources alone. It thrives where personal growth, emotional resilience, and purposeful collaboration intersect. When women are supported both professionally and personally, they don’t just succeed as entrepreneurs—they contribute to building a more inclusive, creative, and future-ready Europe.
