It is no coincidence that the country is home to two unicorn companies, both led by young entrepreneurs who, just a few years ago, were dreaming of success while still in school.
The entrepreneurial culture has grown significantly in recent years, and more and more young people are interested in developing their own business ideas and startups.
So, if you're just starting out or thinking about start your own business, we invite you to learn how college can be a springboard for your startup and how Universidad ORT Uruguay has positioned Universidad ORT Uruguay as a key support for young entrepreneurs, providing resources, academic training, and a supportive community to help bring their innovative projects to life.
Entrepreneurial culture at the university
Starting a business while in college can be an exciting challenge, but also a rewarding one. It means developing an idea and bringing it to life, facing obstacles and overcoming challenges on the path to success.
According to Enrique Topolansky,, MBA, and director of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) at Universidad ORT Uruguay, “an entrepreneurial mindset is learned and developed through practice.”
The university plays an important role in this process by fostering its students’ capacity, skills, and desire to become entrepreneurs. Through the CIE, Universidad ORT Uruguay support to all its students and graduates who wish to start their own business.
In addition, the institution encourages an entrepreneurial spirit among those who choose to work for a company or organization, or who prefer to work independently.
Still not sure what to study?
Check out all the degree programs at Universidad ORT Uruguay
What does it mean to start a business while you're a college student, and why is it important?
It means making the most of academic time to explore innovative ideas, identify problems, and seek creative solutions. This stage of life offers an environment conducive to experimenting, learning from mistakes, and building networks that are key to the future.
The importance of entrepreneurship during college years lies in the comprehensive learning experience that offers the chance to turn ideas into business realities and the potential to positively impact society and the job market. It provides the opportunity to develop a business idea and validate it in an environment of continuous learning and growth.
In this regard, Universidad ORT Uruguay various forms of support for young entrepreneurs, including seminars and workshops, business incubation, assistance with securing funding and networking.
If you're just getting started, here's a book we recommend for those looking to start a business while attending college is the book The Four Steps to the Epiphany: Successful Strategies for Products that Win, by Steven Blank.
This book is a guide for young entrepreneurs taking early stages of a startup, and can help you understand customer needs, validate the viability of a product or service, drive demand, and build a solid foundation for your business.
- You might also find it interesting to read: “Starting My First Business”
Resources and support for college entrepreneurs and their startups
As we have mentioned, the CIE at Universidad ORT Uruguay a supportive community made up of mentors who help entrepreneurs navigate every stage of their projects. From identifying the problem to establishing the business, the CIE provides training and guidance to turn ideas into successful entrepreneurial ventures.
Academic Training for Entrepreneurship: Examples of College Entrepreneurs
The university provides an academic education that fosters an entrepreneurial spirit among students. The ability to choose elective courses allows students to chart their own course based on their interests and passions. Furthermore, interaction with qualified faculty fosters curiosity and a desire to learn more about areas of interest.
In this regard, Universidad ORT Uruguay on helping its students develop the ability to observe the world, understand how it works, and propose new ways of doing things better, differently, or more efficiently. This produces graduates with an entrepreneurial spirit who stand out in the workforce, both by leading their own ventures and by applying their initiative within companies and organizations.
The fact that Universidad ORT Uruguay been recognized as the alma mater of several successful entrepreneurs who have founded unicorn companiesis clear evidence of this. Among them are, for example, Ariel Burschtin and Álvaro García, co-founders of PedidosYa, the successful delivery platform; and Jacobo Singer and Sebastián Kanovich, founders of dLocal, a fintech company that has reached a valuation of over one billion dollars; and Maximiliano Casal, co-founder of Nowports, a fast-growing logistics and transportation company.
- You might also be interested in reading: “My First Job and the Future of Work”
These entrepreneurs, all graduates of Universidad ORT Uruguay, have taken advantage of the university’s academic training, which focuses on technology-based degree programs with a business orientation.
The institution has actively promoted an entrepreneurial spirit among its students by offering courses and workshops such as "Entrepreneurial Attitude," which have been instrumental in developing key skills and acquiring the knowledge necessary to turn their ideas into successful ..
In this way, Universidad ORT Uruguay has distinguished Universidad ORT Uruguay by creating an environment conducive to entrepreneurship, encouraging its students to think big and tackle real-world business challenges. By combining theoretical and technical knowledge with hands-on learning in technology and continuous professional development in line with its "entrepreneurial DNA," the university has played a key role in training entrepreneurial leaders who have gone on to achieve success both nationally and internationally.
Still not sure what to study?
Check out all the degree programs at Universidad ORT Uruguay