These six business and technology-based initiatives have an appointment to keep in the University Library of Knowledge, which is where the UJI is based in the town of Vila-real, to participate in the first edition Bootcamp Lauchpad StartUJI this year. The objective of this innovative format is to practically work and analyse projects for 2 days, which is promoted by espaitec in collaboration with the Cooperation Office for Technological R&Do (OCIT) and Increa Cátedra. On this occasion, the Organising Committee is supported by www.fundacionglobalis.org/ from Vila-real.

Of the 17 business initiatives received, only 6 were selected to participate in the programme. Of these 6, one corresponds to the health sector, another controls access to homes, a third offers business measurement services, and the other three are related with the application of new technologies in the education setting, in the social domain, and in the hotel and catering sector. The diveristy of the profiles of the participants stands out.

The participants in this first edition of the year included researchers from the UJI Department of Basic, Clinical and Psychobiological Psychology; lecturers of English Philology; PhD students; students from several faculties and former UJI students who, after undertaking certain professional activity, have decided to create their own innovative firm.

Bootcamp began on Friday morning by analysing the essence of each project and the profile of the promotors. Work was done on the business idea and market segmentation. Friday afternoon was the turn of the value proposal, and the session ended with a module to make known the tools that the UJI places at the university community’s disposal to support innovative business initiatives.

Saturday’s session started with a module on finances and the main drivers of value, and then continued with the competitive advantage. It ended with a module about potential customers. Finally, attendees worked on their new project presentation, which allowed the “before and after” of their idea to be seen after participating in the programme. In forthcoming weeks, and having digested the information, a final project presentation will take place at espaitec. Those projects that wish to continue with their initiative and opt to create a company will be supported by espaitec and OCIT to do so. Given the success of this first edition of the year, a new bootcamp is expected to be organised during this academic year, although no dates have yet been set.

This initiative, supported by the Regional Valencian Ministry (Generalitat Valenciana) of Education, Research, Culture and Sport, forms part of a series of actions that espaitec promotes to encourage innovative entrepreneurial initiatives and to create technology-based companies on the Riu Sec (UJI) campus.