Summer School "From Potential to Power"

The Women Founders Network BeeLead Summer School "From Potential to Power" is an immersive 5-day experience bringing together women students and early-career researchers from across the Circle U. alliance.

Participants work in teams on real-world challenges, with a particular focus on mental health and well-being — including student well-being, mental health at work, and women's health — alongside broader areas such as social innovation and education. These themes serve as entry points for project development, while leaving space for participants to shape their own ideas.

Through a carefully designed pedagogical journey — from identity and confidence-building to team formation, project incubation, and final pitch — participants develop both the entrepreneurial mindset and the concrete skills needed to turn their ideas into action. The programme culminates in a Shark-Tank-style showcase, celebrating the collective work of a Europe-wide community of emerging women founders.

Note : Speakers and programme details are being confirmed throughout April — full information coming soon.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the Summer School, participants will be able to:

• Articulate their entrepreneurial identity and positioning with clarity and confidence
• Work effectively in diverse, cross-university teams toward a shared project goal
• Apply core entrepreneurial tools — from value proposition to business model and narrative
• Deliver a compelling pitch and respond constructively to feedback
• Identify concrete next steps for their project beyond the programme
• Engage as active members of a transnational network of women founders and innovators

Admission to the course

The Summer School is open to women students and early-career researchers from Circle U. member universities with an interest in entrepreneurship, innovation, or leadership — at any stage of their journey.

Participants apply individually, sharing their interests, skills, and entrepreneurial aspirations. Teams are then formed through a structured process designed to ensure both inclusivity and project coherence.

Please note: Completion of the three online workshops from the Phase B of the Women Founder  Network Spring Track Phase B is a mandatory prerequisite for participation. 

Selected candidates will be notified by mid-May. If selected, they will be invited to contact their mobility coordinator to finalise their registration.

For any questions about this summer school, please contact Viktoria Nagy : viktoria.nagy@uclouvain.be 

As this Summer School is not credit-bearing, it does not fall under Erasmus+ funding schemes. However, each Circle U. member university has a limited number of funded places available for their students. To find out more please contact your local representative:

• Aarhus University: aarhus@circle-u.eu

• University of Belgrade: Nikola Savić – nikola.savic@rect.bg.ac.rs

• Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin: berlin@circle-u.eu

• King’s College London: circle-u@kcl.ac.uk (Erasmus+ funding not available; internal funding may apply)

• UCLouvain: infocircleu@uclouvain.be

• University of Oslo: oslo@circle-u.eu

• Université Paris Cité: circleu.iro@u-paris.fr

• University of Pisa: circleU.erasmus@unipi.it

• University of Vienna: circle-u@univie.ac.at