Mini-companies celebrate their 20th years anniversary!

On June 4, 2021, twenty finalist teams from over one hundred participating teams at the beginning of the year took part in the 20th edition of the Mini-companies program organized by Jonk Entrepreneuren. ArcelorMittal in Luxembourg, a long-time partner of this great initiative, supported the award for the best business plan.

The Mini-company program is aimed at high school students aged between 16 and 19. During a whole school year, students learn to create and manage a business by developing a product, good or service with a view to its commercialization. They go through all stages of business management, learn about the different businesses and departments of a business and learn to be entrepreneurial and adapt to the situation and needs of their business. The young people are supervised by a teacher and by a coach from the economic world.

In 2020, it was FrëschKëscht team that won the special prize for the best business plan - this allowing them to fly to Dubai in the fall to visit the World Expo thanks to ArcelorMittal in Luxembourg!

A DIGITAL FINAL WON BY EKOMFORT

The Mini-companies final closed a year of commitment and investment by more than 100 mini-enterprises. The highest number of teams since the inception of the program. In total, more than 800 students had the opportunity to carry out their first entrepreneurial experiences.

Live from the Kinepolis movie theater, after the online presentation of the 20 mini-companies, the jury deliberated at the end of the day to award Ekomfort the title of Best mini-company 2021 and the prize for the best business plan. This project consists of making an beanbag (or fatboy) from recycled materials.

• Best mini-company: Ekomfort
• 2nd Best mini-company: Strugirls
• 3rd Best mini-company: Revival Waste seviours

Ekomfort, named Best mini company 2021, will represent Luxembourg in the virtual European competition. This year, Gen-E 2021 is virtually hosted in Vilnius by JA Lithuania from June 29 to July 15, 2021. The JA Europe Company of the Year (“COYC”) competition is an annual European competition that brings together the Mini-companies having won the competition at national level. Gen-E is a celebration of the entrepreneurial spirit and achievements of European students, where thousands of young entrepreneurs, ages 15 and up, will pitch their cutting-edge business ideas and compete for the titles of best company and best start-up of the year.

Find the list of winners and their projects: https://jonk-entrepreneuren.lu/fr/news/finale-mini-entreprises/

Find out more about the winning project: https://www.ekomfort.lu/indexger.html.

Stéphanie Damgé

Director Jonk Entrepreneuren Luxembourg asbl

What I like or what motivates me the most is watching these young people grow during this year of Mini-company. They find themselves under the obligation to make decisions, solve problems, manage their project, but also deal with all the unforeseen and challenges that come their way. When we see young people flourishing in the field, then our mission is more than legitimate. But it also goes the other way. It is often also the young people who inspire us, who inspire teachers and their coaches with their values, ideas and convictions. This exchange is very refreshing and rewarding, also allowing adults to see things differently and to be inspired by these new generations.