In November 2025, Friends of Bata joined forces with the EHL Innovation Hub to support the Start-Up Pre-Acceleration Program (SUPA) — a highly selective initiative where students transform early ideas into real, impact-driven projects.
This collaboration brought FoB’s signature experiential approach into the heart of EHL’s entrepreneurial ecosystem: real cases, real founders, real feedback, and real-world learning.
SUPA is a space where students stretch beyond theory. Over several weeks, they:
- work on entrepreneurial ideas while managing full-time studies,
- learn how to measure impact and sustainability,
- practice pitching under pressure,
- and get direct coaching from experts and founders.
This real-world exposure is exactly what early-stage founders need — and exactly what Friends of Bata exists to provide.
As one participant said:
“It gave us the opportunity to further develop our project and gain new perspectives.”
The FoB Workshop: Learning Through Real Cases
Friends of Bata led a high-energy workshop using two FoB case studies:
- ID Genève – the circular Swiss luxury watch brand redefining sustainability,
- Vytal – Europe’s leading reusable packaging system.
Students worked in teams to analyse impact questions drawn from real founder journeys:
- How do you measure environmental and social value?
- What makes a business model truly circular?
- How do you balance growth with integrity?
- What signals do investors look for in an early-stage impact venture?
The room quickly turned into a hands-on lab of creativity: students debating trade-offs, reframing assumptions, and challenging each other’s ideas.
As facilitator Enrique Alvarado HablĂĽtzel shared:
“Watching them pitch their impact with confidence was genuinely inspiring. Programs like SUPA don't just teach theory; they activate ambition.”
A Community of Young Builders
The workshop was more than a class — it was a spark.
Students walked away with:
- stronger problem-solving skills,
- a clearer understanding of impact entrepreneurship,
- and real confidence in presenting their ideas.
Many continued refining their projects, leading to the exciting pitches at the SUPA Final Ceremony, where Friends of Bata proudly supported the awards.
The EHL team summarised it well:
“Your guidance added so much value to the students’ learning journey.”
A Partnership with Purpose
Our growing collaboration with EHL reflects what FoB stands for:
- empowering young leaders,
- bringing real founders into the classroom,
- and building platforms where students can learn by doing.
Together, we are strengthening the bridge between education, entrepreneurship, and real-world impact.
And this is just the beginning.
Looking Ahead
Friends of Bata will continue supporting SUPA and similar programmes by:
- bringing more founder-led case studies,
- connecting students with world-class entrepreneurs and mentors,
- and expanding experiential opportunities beyond Switzerland.
The next generation of founders is already here — they just need the right stage to grow!
