UTAMED Advances Sustainable Entrepreneurship with Over 80 Students in the European Project “B-KINETIC”

The Atlantic Mediterranean Technological University (UTAMED) has successfully completed its participation in Phase 1 of the European project B-KINETIC (Bridge Knowledge to Innovation: Entrepreneurial Training into HEI Communities), funded by the European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT) under the EIT Raw Materials programme. 

During this phase, the university implemented a series of educational activities to foster entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainability within its academic community. 

Implementation 

The core of the programme was the online course “Sustainable Entrepreneurship in the 21st Century”, aligned with the European competence frameworks EntreComp, GreenComp, and LifeComp, and certified at the European level. 

More than 80 students from diverse academic backgrounds, including Psychology, Education, Engineering, and Business, participated in the programme. Working in multidisciplinary environments, they developed key competences to address complex societal and environmental challenges. 

As a flagship activity, the programme included the hackathon “WaterWise: Málaga”, in which participants tackled water stress in Málaga, a major tourist destination. Over three intensive days, teams developed solutions combining technological, environmental, and regulatory perspectives. 

The programme concluded with a closing session led by Juan Antonio Tejada, President of Málaga Tech, strengthening the connection between academia and the entrepreneurial ecosystem. 

Impact 

The initiative generated a significant impact on participants. Students with highly diverse profiles, many without prior entrepreneurial experience, collaborated to address real-world challenges while developing competences in innovation, teamwork, and sustainability. 

Notably, a group of participants who met during the hackathon decided to continue developing their project, with the ambition of launching it as a startup in 2026. 

At the institutional level, UTAMED has strengthened its entrepreneurial ecosystem and consolidated the implementation of innovative methodologies within a fully online learning environment. 

Key Takeaways 

• Interdisciplinary collaboration fosters more innovative solutions 

• Entrepreneurship is a transversal competence applicable across all disciplines 

• Practice-based learning, such as hackathons, accelerates skills development 

• Strong connections with the entrepreneurial ecosystem enhance learning impact 

  
  

Lessons Learned 

One of the main challenges identified was the need to participate in intensive activities, as many students combine their studies with work and personal responsibilities. This highlights the need for more flexible formats in online education. 

Additionally, differences in students’ digital competences were observed, underlining the importance of providing adequate technical support to ensure inclusive and equitable participation. 

Commitment to Educational Innovation 

Through this initiative, UTAMED reaffirms its commitment to innovative, inclusive, and European-aligned education, fostering entrepreneurial talent and supporting the development of sustainable solutions with real-world impact.