STARTArt Reflections: From Canvas to Business Plan in Ružomberok
Seven days, six countries, five startups, and one shared mission: to prove that creativity can be a sustainable career.
We have just concluded STARTArt, an intensive Erasmus+ Youth Exchange hosted by IKReON in Ružomberok.
By the end of the week, we didn’t just have business plans; we had a changed mindset. Participants arrived thinking of themselves as “just artists” and left as “creative entrepreneurs,” equipped with the tools to navigate the labor market with confidence.
Participants: 38 (18–25)
Countries: SK, EL, IT, AT, UA, ES
Location: Ružomberok, Slovakia
Duration: 7 activity days
Day-by-Day Recap
- Day 1 – Connecting
- Day 2 – Business tools
- Day 3 – Business Idea Generation
- Day 4 – Circular Economy & Lean Startup
- Day 5 – Business Plan & Pitching
- Day 6 – Business Ideas Finalization
- Day 7 – Celebratory Showcase
Day 1: Connecting
We opened with icebreakers, name games and team–building activities to form a common bond. Group agreements and reflective discussions established a safe, open environment for the week. Teams mapped expectations and personal learning goals.
Day 2: Business tools
We then introduced the “Business Doctor” session, where teams learned to diagnose market environments using SWOT and PEST analysis. This phase laid the critical groundwork, ensuring everyone understood the strategic landscape before diving into creative ideation.
Day 3: Business Idea Generation
Participants shifted from theory to creation by diving into the “Art Business Canvas” workshop. This hands-on session challenged them to adapt the traditional Business Model Canvas specifically for the creative sector, transforming abstract artistic ideas into structured plans. Teams defined their value propositions and customer segments, turning their passion projects into potential startups.
Day 4: Circular Economy & Lean Startup
Led by our Austrian partners, this day focused on integrating the “Green Check” audit tool into every business concept. Teams were challenged to redesign their value chains to meet Circular Economy principles, ensuring their startups were not just profitable but also environmentally responsible. This “Green Art Challenge” proved that modern entrepreneurship must go hand-in-hand with sustainability.
Day 5: Business Plan & Pitching
With their business models in place, participants turned their attention to the art of storytelling and persuasion. In the “Pitch Perfect” workshop, they learned branding techniques and public speaking skills to articulate their vision compellingly. Teams practiced crafting narratives that would resonate with investors and the public alike, building the confidence needed for the days ahead.
Day 6: Business Ideas Finalization
We took the learning outside the classroom to Liptov Hub, where participants pitched their Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) to professional mentors from the INOVIA Regional Incubator. This external validation provided crucial real-world feedback on the feasibility and scalability of their ideas. It was a pivotal moment that shifted their mindset from “students” to “aspiring entrepreneurs.”
Day 7: Celebratory Showcase
The project culminated in a vibrant public event in the Ružomberok town center, where teams presented their 5 startups—Frameless, Slovak ArtVenture, LitUp, UnheardUnseen, and EverStage—to the local community. This showcase bridged the gap between international youth and local citizens, celebrating the power of creativity to drive social and economic change. It was a fitting finale that demonstrated the tangible impact of the Erasmus+ experience.
Startup ideas
What’s Next?
- Follow-up meetings to sustain connections and plan local actions.
- Documentation and curation of outputs for dissemination.
IKReON thanks partner organisations Grindustry (EL), A.T.C, Arte, Territorio, Cultura (IT), AFIS (AT), Phoenix Association (UA) and Colectivo Circo Zaragoza (ES) for their cooperation throughout the exchange.
