Training Sessions & Recordings 2025–26
Expert-led sessions of the ERUA Social Entrepreneurship Lab, with practitioners and researchers from ERUA partner universities and associated organisations
The SELab online sessions ran from March to April 2026, bringing together practitioners, researchers, and entrepreneurs from across the ERUA university network. They were the run-up to the Pitch Day on 16 April 2026, where teams presented the ideas these sessions helped shape.
Each session was led by one or more ERUA partner universities, covering themes from problem definition and business modelling to pitching and intellectual property. Recordings and presentation materials are made available below where permitted.
An interactive workshop introducing participants to the process of defining a social problem and identifying the target group for their social entrepreneurship initiative.
Recording
Slides
Download slidesAn introductory session on Miro, the collaborative digital workspace used by all teams throughout the ERUA Social Entrepreneurship Lab programme.
Recording
Slides
An input session and workshop on designing value propositions and building impact logic for social entrepreneurship ideas.
Recording
Slides
This session was not held.
A workshop on crafting compelling narratives and effective pitch presentations for social entrepreneurship ideas.
Recording
Slides
A webinar exploring how social challenges can be addressed through policy instruments, and the role of social entrepreneurs in shaping policy-relevant solutions.
Recording
Slides
Download slidesDr Iason Koufodontis is an Assistant Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Tourism and Hospitality at the Department of Tourism Economics and Management, University of the Aegean, Greece. He has taught at undergraduate and graduate levels at universities in Europe and the United States. His research adopts a multidisciplinary approach to tourism and hospitality, with a particular focus on digital technologies and regional development. His work has appeared in leading academic journals, and he has more than three decades of experience participating in EU-funded research programs.
A webinar on technology rating — evaluating the maturity, risk, and value of innovations to inform investment or development decisions.
Recording
Slides
Download slides
Founding contributor to European innovation governance and place-based policy, with over 30 years of experience in the design, implementation and evaluation of EU innovation frameworks, including innovation measurement, Smart Specialisation, RIS3 governance, and regional transformation strategies. Former coordinator and methodology developer of the Trend Chart on Innovation in Europe, contributing to the foundations of the European Innovation Scoreboard. Main author of Greece's National Smart Specialisation Strategy 2021–2027, and author of EC and European Parliament policy publications. Currently Local Coordinator of the European Reform University Alliance (ERUA) at the University of the Aegean.
A webinar introducing the concept of sustainability as a driver of innovation and strategic development. The session explores environmental, social, and economic dimensions of sustainability, the UN SDGs framework, and how sustainability can be integrated into innovation management to create long-term value and respond to regulatory, societal, and market expectations.
Recording
Slides
Download slidesEleni Zarimi is Innovation Manager at JOIST Innovation Park and Institute of Entrepreneurship Development (iED), and a PhD Candidate-Researcher at the University of the Aegean.
This session was not held.
A session exploring intellectual property as a strategic asset for social entrepreneurs — examining the question of whether IP is a cost or an investment.
Recording
Slides
Download slidesA session presenting the Erasmus Young Entrepreneurs programme and exploring how it can support early-stage social entrepreneurs in building cross-border experience.
Recording
Slides
Download slidesA session on how strong brand identity supports social impact, covering visual communication, storytelling, and the role of design in social entrepreneurship.
Recording
Slides
Download slidesA lecture presenting the IN4IN methodology for designing inclusive innovation — developing solutions with and for communities facing social challenges.
The recording and slides of this session are not published.
Pitch Day
16 April 2026 · 12:00–14:00 CET
The culmination of the ERUA Social Entrepreneurship Lab: 15 student teams presented their social business plans to a multidisciplinary evaluation panel composed of Associated Partners and ERUA university representatives. Teams were assessed on Innovation & Relevance, Impact Measurement, Feasibility, and Sustainability. The most promising ideas were recognised and awarded at the close of the event.
Programme
- Welcome and introduction to ERUA & WP6
- Overview of the ERUA Social Entrepreneurship Lab (2024/25 Course · 2025/26 Lab)
- Business Ideas — Presentations (15 teams)
- Breakout session for the Evaluation Panel
- Announcement of the winning ideas
Full Recording
IRI — Influencer Responsibility Index
Federica Monti, Martina Venturo, Samanta Hushi, Claudia Di Valerio, Carlo Esposito · UNIMC
E-Ministerio
Nika Belaia (UNIMC), Abhishek Budhiraja (EUV)
ESODO
Gwinyai Godwin Zitsanza · UNIMC
Verity
Iveta Georgieva · NBU
HelpHop
Boryana Borisova (NBU), Roksana Rybicka, Anna Giulia Piccaglia
Chloris App (former: PhotosynthesisApp)
Evangelia Katholiki Foti · UAEGEAN
UNESCO-Lab
Evangelia Katholiki Foti · UAEGEAN
Agency for Everyday Life
Christoph Ewert (EUV), Gwinyai Godwin Zitsanza (UNIMC)
Peer Mentors Against Substance Abuse (PMASA)
Henry Gibrilla, Anthony Nwanze, Iyanuoluwa Oladosu, Rica Joy Armad, Brown Magoma, Ali Akbar Shitol · MRU