Some students join JA Enterprise to try something new. Some stay because they discover how much they enjoy building ideas, solving problems, pitching, competing, and working as a team.
This year, several PBIS students are taking the next step. After experiencing JA Enterprise as club members, contestants, and student company founders, they are returning as mentors.
Max brings experience from the Liberec Innovation Camp, Baťa Innovation Camp, Sci-Tech Challenge, and JA Czech Expo. His achievements include winning Best Lean Canvas at the Liberec Innovation Camp, becoming a Czech national winner and European finalist in the Sci-Tech Challenge, and contributing to JA Czech Expo awards for business pitch, marketing, innovation, and stand design.
What is JA Enterprise about?
“Instead of studying business management the old way with the use of textbooks, the JA Enterprise club allowed me to not only understand basic theory students learn during class, but it also gave me the opportunity to use those skills in the real-world and execute them to create a real student company I was passionate about. Once your venture is built, you move it outside of the classroom into the real world. Setting up trade stands and pitching your product's live to investors. Competing across national expos, innovation camps, and international finals, forcing you to test your business skills.” - Max, Year 13
Filip has experience in entrepreneurship, business ideas, and student mentoring. His achievements include becoming a Czech national winner and European finalist in the JA Sci-Tech Challenge. He has also gained professional experience through an internship at a venture capital fund in Prague.
Why did you choose to become a mentor?
Jindřich is a co-founder of a student company specialising in digital business cards. He has helped his team qualify among the top student companies for the JA Czech National Finals and has achieved national competition placements in innovation, marketing, business pitch, and product and stand design. He has also represented the Czech Republic at the European Sci-Tech Finals in Brussels and serves as Student Communication Officer.
What is the biggest responsibility of a mentor?
“I think a mentor's biggest responsibility is to help students believe in their ideas. JA is an amazing program that helps students gain real business experience, learn important business skills for the future, and even improve their university applications. One of the hardest things I have found as a mentor is giving negative feedback to students who clearly believe in their ideas and don't want to hear criticism. However, even the worst ideas can succeed if you work hard with them and stay open-minded. I want to give feedback in the best way possible and encourage students to keep improving so they get the most out of the JA experience I also had.” - Jindřich, Year 13
Erik is a co-founder of a JA student company and contributed to success at the JA Czech Expo, including awards for business pitch, marketing, innovation, and stand design. Beyond JA Enterprise, he is a co-author of a book, a representative of the school volleyball team, and PBIS’s Ecological Ambassador.
Will students work on business ideas, pitching or student companies?
“The overall aim of the club is to introduce students to entrepreneurship and give them practical experience of turning ideas into projects and businesses. Students will develop business ideas, practise pitching and work on student companies. Of course, they will also have other opportunities to lead a business and use their ideas creatively, like organising sales at school events, including Fright Night and the Winter Ball - where they can sell drinks, food or other products of their choice.” - Erik, Year 13
Tom is a co-founder of a JA student company specialising in NFC digital business cards. His experience includes success at the JA Czech National Finals, winning the Czech National Sci-Tech Challenge, and representing the Czech Republic at the European Finals in Brussels. He has also completed a banking internship and is currently participating in the Wharton Global High School Investment Competition.
What kinds of activities or challenges are planned?
“Throughout the year, Enterprise Club members will have the opportunity to take part in a variety of events and challenges that go beyond just running their own companies. These include the Baťa Camp, as well as several company fairs in locations such as Hradec Králové and Galerie Harfa in Prague, where students can sell their products, compete with other student businesses and gain real experience interacting with customers. Another exciting opportunity is the Sci-Tech Challenge, where successful teams can progress to the European finals in Brussels, with the trip covered. On a smaller scale, we also plan to offer selling opportunities at PBIS events such as the Winter Ball and Fright Night. I think these experiences are what make Enterprise Club genuinely worthwhile, as students get to put their ideas into practice, challenge themselves and learn things that you can't really learn in a normal classroom.” - Tom, Year 13
Urban is looking forward to developing entrepreneurial skills alongside students who bring different ideas, values, and perspectives.
Which event are you especially excited about?
“An event that I am excited for during this year’s JA club is most definitely the Baťa Innovation camp. It is an exciting day of expanding and learning about entrepreneurial skills and working with people that share same values and different ideas and perspectives.” - Urban, Year 12
There is plenty to look forward to and we can't wait to see what this year's Enterprise Club members achieve. Follow us on social media to stay up to date with their projects, competitions and successes throughout the year!
