2019_11_19_FAR_israel

In June, group of students from the University of Navarra, both from campus in Pamplona and San Sebastian, headed to Tel Aviv, thanks to Innovation Factory, the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Unit of the academic center. Among them was María Muñoz, a student of the Master's Degree European University in Food, Nutrition and Metabolism (E-MENU) of the School of Pharmacy and Nutrition. 

"The main goal of this trip was to get to know the entrepreneurial and innovative environment of Israel. During the stay we had the privilege of meeting different companies and the Economic and Commercial Office of the Spanish Embassy in the country", explains María Muñoz. They also visited Openvalley, a business community that offers unique co-working spaces where entrepreneurs, startups and organizations that want to develop their business models through networking, mentoring and advice. There they met six companies related to robotics, augmented reality or consultancy service.

"Something very surprising was the mentality they transferred to us when it comes to entrepreneurship: for Israelis, if an idea doesn't succeed, it's not a failure but a way of learning. They are not afraid of failure!

The group also had the opportunity to get to know Jerusalem and visit the places most closely linked to the Christian religion, such as the Holy Sepulcher, the site of the Crucifixion and the Mount of Olives. "There we were able to observe the great cultural clash that exists in that city."

"From this trip I take all the advice and support I need to keep fighting for our dreams, even if it is sometimes complicated," Muñoz confesses. "Besides, it has been a fantastic experience shared with the rest of my colleagues".

Winners of the project Fast Track

María Muñoz is part of project "Earth Future", winner of the project Fast Track at the annual meeting on entrepreneurship and innovation held by the University in April. The group is also integrated by students Inmaculada Aguilera (Master's Degree in research Biomedical), Mario Fernández (4th year Law and Business Administration), Cindy Ocasio (Master's Degree in Political and Corporate Communication) and Pablo Suárez (1st year Economics). 

"Earth Future" consists of three devices to control the consumption of water, electricity and gas that, through a mobile app, allow Username to save on consumption and contribute to the improvement of the environment. The students worked for six months, together with other teams, to develop this real business plan for entrepreneurship.