Okay, so I’m back from Moscow, and I’m still kind of pinching myself. I had the incredible opportunity to return to Skoltech for their Innovation Workshop 2021, working with a fresh batch of Master’s students. Two weeks. Intense, challenging, and so rewarding.
Honestly, going back felt a bit like coming home. Skoltech has this amazing energy – this palpable drive to create, to innovate, to solve real-world problems. And this year’s students? Absolutely brilliant. They were sponges, soaking up everything, pushing themselves, and constantly surprising me with their creativity.
I focused on mentoring, not lecturing. I wanted them to find their own solutions, to dig deep and figure out what truly resonated with them. We spent hours hammering out the details, really getting down to the core of their business ideas. I remember some intense sessions where we’d deconstruct their initial concepts, asking the tough questions: “Is this really solving a problem?” “Who is your actual customer?” “How will you prove there’s a market?” That whole process of validating their ideas was crucial.
Then came the pitching. We worked on crafting compelling narratives, getting to the heart of their value proposition in a way that would grab an audience’s attention. We talked about everything from body language and vocal projection to structuring their pitch decks for maximum impact. We even touched on the nuances of their business models, making sure they had a solid foundation for growth. It wasn’t always smooth sailing – there were definitely some late nights and tough conversations – but that’s part of the process, right?
And then… the awards ceremony. I’m going to be completely honest here: my heart was pounding. I’d worked closely with two cohorts, mentoring them through the entire workshop. And guess what? Both of my teams won in their respective categories!
I’m bursting with pride for team GLASSO – Maxim, Aigul, Anna, and Bislan – you guys absolutely crushed it! And huge congratulations to team Smart Care – Sviatoslav, Max, Ilya, Irina, and Maria – your dedication and hard work paid off!
This wasn’t just about winning, though (although, let’s be real, winning is pretty awesome!). It was about seeing these students grow, evolve, and realize their potential. It was about witnessing that “aha!” moment when everything clicked. It was about the power of collaboration and the magic that happens when passionate people come together to build something amazing.
Seriously, very well-deserved wins, everyone. You should be incredibly proud of yourselves – I know I am! More than proud, actually. I’m inspired. I’m energized. And I’m already looking forward to seeing what you all accomplish next. Keep that fire burning!
