Gen E is a large European entrepreneurship event and will be held from July 12-14, 2022, in Tallinn, Estonia. The event is organised by Junior Achievement (JA) Europe, of which Jonk Entrepreneuren Luxembourg is a proud member. According to the organiser’s website, “thousands of European students, from 15 years old onwards, will showcase their cutting–edge business ideas online and on-site.” The Gen-E Festival also combines two annual European entrepreneurship contests for the winners of JA Company and the JA Start-Up Programme from 41 countries.

About Tallinn

Did you know that Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, is also called the European Silicon Valley? Skype or TransferWise are just two of many famous Estonian start-ups.

According to The Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2022, Estonia exceeds any other European country in terms of start-ups per capita, and money raised per capita. It comes as no surprise then, that Estonia has again been selected as one of the Top 100 Emerging Ecosystems worldwide.

Citygum were the winners of the 21st edition of the Mini-Enterprises programme and will represent Luxembourg at the “JA European Company of the Year Competition” during the Gen-E Festival.

The team consists of five students from the Lycée Aline Mayrisch: Julian Millim, Leo Gehlen, Loïc Hoffarth, Mika Witry and Thibaut Mailliet. With the help of Sandra Thibeau, teacher, and Douglass Welch, Managing Director & Portfolio Conducting Officer at Pemberton Asset Management Group and coach, the young entrepreneurs have created the first chewing gum made in Luxembourg, available in two flavours: watermelon and mint-lemon.

What makes their chewing gum so special? It is:

• Handmade with natural and biodegradable ingredients
• 100% plastic free
• 100% vegan

As winners of this year’s Young Enterprise Project (YEP), WeConnect will represent Luxembourg at the “JA Europe Start Up of the Year Competition” in Tallinn.

Ivo Silva and Clémentine Offner developed WeConnect during the European Skills Championship “Euroskills” in Graz, where they were awarded with the bronze medal. With the help of coaches Mathias Nimlin and Christian Gutenkauf, they hope to further develop their idea. Before WeConnect, Ivo and Clémentine were co-founders of the success story FrëschtKëscht, the mini-enterprise which won the national final in 2020.

What is WeConnect?

WeConnect is a platform aiming to foster intergenerational relationships, whilst providing a shared solution to individual issues. Whereas students struggle to find affordable housing, the elderly generation often suffers from loneliness. WeConnect offers a solution to both, by facilitating young students to move into the home of a retired person. Young people find affordable housing and elderly people are no longer socially isolated. WeConnect connects generations!