Skip to content

Global Entrepreneurship Week: Fostering Innovation and Collaboration

HLOs: Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging IconSystems Thinking IconCritical Thinking IconCollaboration IconCommunication IconDigital Fluency IconInnovation IconStrategic Problem-Solving Icon

As part of Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) from November 18th - 24th, a worldwide initiative celebrating innovators and entrepreneurs, students from Humber Polytechnic’s Business Management – Entrepreneurial Enterprise program, along with peers from The University of Salford (UK), GEA College (Slovenia), and Cologne Business School (Germany), participated in a Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) hackathon. The event highlighted the power of international collaboration in addressing real-world business challenges and nurturing entrepreneurial mindsets across borders.

The Challenge

The hackathon centred on an internationalization project for Nieno, a German wine brand looking to expand into new markets. Student teams were given four days to assess and deliver a five-minute presentation on the product’s market potential, focusing on trends, cultural nuances, and strategic opportunities in their respective countries. This hands-on project not only sharpened students' analytical and teamwork skills but also enhanced their understanding of global business dynamics.

Collaboration Across Borders

The event served as a prime example of global learning, as students worked within their teams to evaluate Nieno’s market potential, analyzing the product through diverse cultural and market lenses. The collaboration between institutions across countries empowered participants to think globally while developing localized, actionable solutions.

Kickoff Highlights (Nov. 18th)

  • The event opened across multiple time zones, with Katja Kraskovic, Director at GEA College, serving as the Master of Ceremonies.
  • Dr. Mehran Najmaei of Cologne Business School delivered a keynote on internationalization strategies.
  • Max Heppener, Co-Founder of Nieno, shared his entrepreneurial journey and the brand’s vision for expansion.

Closing Highlights (Nov. 21st)

  • Hazel Squire, Director of 2.0 at The University of Salford, led the closing ceremony with insightful reflections.
  • Student teams presented their innovative findings and recommendations to Max Heppener and a panel of experts.
  • Panelists Rohit Jaitly (Canada), Paul Little (UK), and Roozbeh Babolian Hendijani (Indonesia) provided valuable feedback on the students' strategies.

Humber Polytechnic Shines

A special congratulations go to Humber Polytechnic’s team—Christine Faith Velarde, Hsin-Rong Lee, David Kwewum, Lisa Migory, and Thi Xuan Thao Nguyen—who impressed judges with their compelling presentation on Nieno’s potential in the Canadian market. Their participation in this international initiative not only enhanced their employability skills but also earned them recognition and support through funding from Humber's Employability Experience Fund.

Acknowledgments

This event’s success was made possible by the efforts of collaborators including Susan Kates (Humber Polytechnic), Dr. Ambarin Khan (University of Salford), Dr. Jaka Vadnjal (GEA College), and Dr. Mehran Najmaei (Cologne Business School), whose commitment to global collaboration is advancing entrepreneurial education.

Global Impact of GEW

GEW is more than just a celebration of entrepreneurship—it is about fostering connections, ideas, and experiences that drive innovation on a global scale. Initiatives like this COIL hackathon equip the next generation of leaders with the tools and perspectives to succeed in a rapidly interconnected world. Let’s continue to build these global partnerships, drive innovation, and empower future entrepreneurial success!

Share this article:

Business Management – Entrepreneurial Enterprise students

Hackathon details - Topic: Internalization of a product

Business Management – Entrepreneurial Enterprise page