YEP is a program offered at the higher education level, where students work in teams on an innovative product or service concept. They assess the feasibility of their project using tools such as the Empathy Map and the Business Model Canvas, and they develop a prototype along with a promotional video. Above all, it’s an opportunity for students to work in a different way and step into the shoes of real entrepreneurs.

The teams can be coached by volunteer experts from the professional world. One of the program’s key strengths is that it fosters interaction between students and specialists in their respective fields.

To support the teams in their projects, students had access to various training sessions on:

• the Business Model Canvas, led by Adis Sabanovic from the House of Entrepreneurship
• marketing, led by Ricardo Prosperi from Fundament Agency
• financial management, led by Grégoire Seron from Capital Group
• project management, led by Richard Woodha from the Project Management Institute
• video creation, led by freelance expert Cecilia Said Viera
• introduction to pitching, led by business coach Dursun Halimova

Dominique Moeremans (ECG), Imene Guidoumi, Alyssa Caroff, and Rudy Mazzalovo (Accenture), Pedro Ferreira Leal (House of Entrepreneurship), Bastien Berg and Julien Gharrou (Luxembourg City Incubator), Tanyth Blackler (Do Your Thing), Sam Paulus and Jérémy Del Rosario (Microlux), Sébastien Jungen (Bamolux), Sarah Tagliarol (Edmond de Rothschild), and Dursun Halimova (Stellar) made up the jury for the 2024–2025 edition. They supported and evaluated the participating teams throughout the year.

For the final, which took place at Melusina, each group had four minutes to present their project to the jury.

First Prize was awarded to the project “ONSKO“, led by Pierre Felten, a BTS “Digital Content” student at Lycée Nic Biever Dudelange. ONSKO is a cultural platform dedicated to local Luxembourgish art, where amateur and professional artists can sell, buy, or rent artworks. The project aims to promote and make local art more visible and accessible by connecting it with a local community and dedicated events. The project’s strengths lie in its strong local roots and its solution to a real-world problem.

Team mentor: Jeff Lemmer.

Second Prize went to the team “Majestic Event“, made up of Belé Sousa Morgane, Catarina Pinto, Hannah Gryczka, Calista Dolci, Enzo Scatigno, and Andrea Petruzzi, all BTS students at ECG. Their project offers exclusive events that highlight Luxembourgish culture. The jury was impressed by the team’s energy and their ability to secure sponsors and partners, paving the way for the project’s rapid realization.

Team mentor: Lehner Birgit.

Third Prize was awarded to the team “Why Buy“, composed of Maroa El Assani, Luna Picco, and Lenny Haag—three students in the BTS “Hospitality Management” program at the École d’Hôtellerie et de Tourisme du Luxembourg. Their project aims to develop a web platform for peer-to-peer equipment rentals in Luxembourg. Their mission is to reduce overconsumption, prevent waste, and give a second life to unused everyday items. The jury was won over by the project’s environmental impact and the team’s strong motivation.

Amélie Havé (from team Mindful Minds, a platform offering personalized programs to prevent workplace burnout) and Calista Dolci (from team Majestic Event) received the Alumni Leadership Award, presented by the Alumni Committee. This award recognizes students who have demonstrated strong leadership qualities and the ability to effectively guide their teams.

The YEP Program

Offered at the higher education level, YEP targets young BTS and university students aged between 19 and 30. At the beginning of the academic year, teams of 2 to 5 students are formed. Together, they must create a business plan based on an innovative product or service idea.

The team is responsible for identifying a business opportunity, developing a business plan, and assessing the feasibility of their project—with guidance from both their teachers and professionals from the industry. Throughout the school year, projects are presented three times to a jury composed of volunteer experts. The winning team has the opportunity to participate in the European final, GEN-E, organized by Junior Achievement Europe.

The program helps students build essential entrepreneurial skills such as creativity, perseverance, self-confidence, and teamwork.