Now in its third year, the Avenor Entrepreneurship Challenge has become a highly anticipated project among our students. Designed especially for Year 9 students, this competition brings to the forefront the application of knowledge and skills developed in class, offering young people the chance to face a real-life entrepreneurial challenge. From concept to presentation, student teams had the opportunity to launch an innovative food product, which they then showcased in front of a jury, their peers and an enthusiastic audience ready to cheer them on.

Victor Bratu, Teacher of Geography and ICT and the coordinator of the competition, shares in the interview below more about what was new in this edition and how the challenge unfolded.

 

A Project That Keeps Growing

Like any entrepreneurial initiative designed to grow beautifully, the Avenor Entrepreneurship Challenge has evolved from one year to the next. Each edition has been a chance to learn from past experiences, listen to feedback and improve things going forward. Students’ interest has visibly increased – and not only among those in Year 9. The competition is already being talked about throughout the school, and younger students are looking forward to taking part in future editions.

This Year’s Theme: A Healthy Breakfast

This year, the theme was both delicious and challenging: creating a healthy breakfast snack – sweet or savoury – accompanied by a business plan, a promotional strategy and a convincing presentation.

Workshops with the Jury – A Welcome Innovation

For the first time, this year’s edition included workshops led by jury members – both returning and new – with the aim of creating a space for dialogue and learning ahead of the final presentations. This gave students a clearer understanding of what was expected of them, while also allowing the jury to get to know them and to better calibrate their evaluation criteria. All in all, a more transparent and fair competition.

Another first for this year: parents were also invited to attend the final event and watch the student presentations.

8 Teams, Dozens of Ideas and a Lot of Dedication

All Year 9 students took part in this third edition of the Avenor Entrepreneurship Challenge, working in 8 teams. Each team presented their product – which was not only explained but also tasted by the jury. The presentations included business plans, marketing strategies and packaging design.

This Year’s Jury

The jury brought together specialists in education, entrepreneurship, gastronomy and marketing:

  • Cornel Dănilă, General Manager “Lăptăria cu caimac” – leadership
  • Ioana Bucin, Transformation Manager “Green Group” – business
  • Chef Dan Neacșu, Head Chef “Avenor Living” – gastronomy
  • Cristian Linaru, COO BADAGOOM – marketing & packaging

After several weeks of hard work to turn their ideas into viable concepts, the students’ final presentations stood out through their originality, clarity and genuine involvement.

The Winning Teams

🥇 First Place – Score: 20/20

Team: Alessia, Ana-Maria, Bianca, Raisa, Teodora and Edith – Year 9 Alfa

Their project impressed the jury with its taste, nutritional balance, flawless presentation and coherence across the entire business plan.

🥈 Second Place – Score: 16.8/20

Team: Abigail (9 Omega), Estera (9 Delta), Natalia (9 Omega), Alessia (9 Omega), Teodora (9 Alfa), Mara (9 Alfa), Anya (9 Delta)

The jury appreciated how well the team worked together and praised their creative idea and standout marketing strategy.

🥉 Third Place – Score: 16.7/20

Team: Constantin (9 Delta), Tudor (9 Delta), Carol (9 Omega), Filip (9 Delta), Ștefan (9 Delta), Toma (9 Alfa)

This team stood out for presenting an innovative product, well packaged and confidently delivered to the jury.

A Competition That Grows Year by Year

In the end, beyond rankings, what remained was the joy of learning by doing, of working together and of building an idea step by step – just like in a real-life project. Something we see happening more and more often at Avenor.