Host entrepreneur
Nuno Cunha from Lisbon, Portugal
Company: Aavanz
New entrepreneur
Ecem Özidemir from Ankara, Türkiye
Duration of exchange from 17/06/2024 – 16/08/2024 & 14/10/2024 – 10/01/2025
Quotation from the NE
“Participating in the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs (EYE) program has been a pivotal experience for my entrepreneurial journey. As the founder of Akademi Kültür, I embarked on this exchange with Aavanz under the mentorship of Nuno Cunha, aiming to refine my business plan, expand my network, and gain deeper insights into international business strategies.
Throughout the exchange, my primary focus was on enhancing my entrepreneurial skills and understanding how to scale my business in a more structured and sustainable way. Under Nuno’s guidance, I worked on developing a solid business model, improving my financial projections, and defining a more targeted market strategy. The hands-on approach and practical feedback I received played a crucial role in strengthening my confidence as an entrepreneur.
At the same time, I actively contributed to Aavanz Lisbon by leveraging my expertise in European Union-funded projects. With my experience in Horizon Europe and Erasmus+ programs, I analyzed EU calls and assisted in structuring project proposals. I also played a key role in organizing and structuring the company’s promotional materials, ensuring they effectively communicated the firm’s expertise and services.
Beyond the business aspects, this exchange also helped me develop a deeper understanding of cross-cultural collaboration, adaptability, and resilience in an international work environment. Working closely with Nuno and the Aavanz team not only expanded my professional knowledge but also built a strong foundation for potential future partnerships in EU-funded projects.
This experience has been an incredible learning opportunity that has accelerated my growth as an entrepreneur. I am immensely grateful to Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs, Aavanz , and Nuno Cunha for their support and collaboration. I look forward to continuing to apply the knowledge and skills I gained from this exchange as I further develop my business.”