Inspiring the next generation: Connecting classrooms with startup stories

Entrepreneurship often feels distant from the classroom. It happens in co-working spaces, at pitch events, or in late-night brainstorming sessions. But what if that spark could start much earlier?

That is exactly what the Young Minds program, part of the Swiss Startup Association’s Youth Entrepreneurship initiative, is making possible. The program brings real startup founders into Swiss schools to share what it truly means to build a business from the ground up.

At Kantonsschule Heerbrugg, economics and law teacher Patrik Waibel has seen the impact firsthand. His students experienced how entrepreneurship becomes tangible when a founder steps into the classroom to share their story, challenges, and passion.

Real founders. Real stories. Real impact.

Patrik first heard about the Young Minds program when his principal received an invitation from the Swiss Startup Association to host a guest lecture on entrepreneurship and startups. “The timing was perfect,” Patrik recalls. “In our Economics & Law classes, we cover business plans and company formation. Inviting a real founder allowed us to connect theory directly with practice.”

The goal was simple: to give students a direct view into what founding and running a company really looks like. “We wanted to bring the experience and perspective of a real entrepreneur into our classroom,” says Patrik. “Someone who could share what it feels like to take an idea and turn it into something real.”

When theory meets lived experience

Last month Patrik opened his classroom to a Robonnement AG startup founder and CEO Nimrod Malinas, who brought real-world entrepreneurship into focus. According to Patrik, the session captured the students’ attention immediately. They listened closely, asked thoughtful questions, and showed genuine curiosity. “You could tell that the founder’s passion was contagious,” Patrik says. “He spoke with so much energy about his company that it inspired everyone in the room.”

One statement in particular stayed with them. Nimrod shared that facing problems is part of everyday life as an entrepreneur. At times, he did not know how to approach them, but with conviction and commitment, solutions always emerged eventually. “That message really resonated with the students,” Patrik reflects. “It showed them that entrepreneurship is not about having all the answers but about believing you can find them.”

Turning collaboration into lasting impact

For Patrik, working with the Swiss Startup Association has been a positive and straightforward experience. “The team is professional, quick to respond, and easy to collaborate with,” he says. “Every guest speaker we have hosted has been inspiring in their own way.”

He also sees the workshops as a valuable extension of traditional teaching. “The program adds a layer of real-world insight that you simply cannot get from textbooks,” Patrik explains. “For many students, it becomes an unforgettable experience that might influence their future career choices.”

Looking ahead

After the success of the Robonnement AG workshop, the school plans to continue collaborating with the Swiss Startup Association in the future. “Each founder brings new perspectives, new experiences, and new lessons,” Patrik says. “That variety is what makes the program so valuable.”

Final thought

The Young Minds program is helping students see entrepreneurship not as a distant concept, but as something they can be part of. By connecting classrooms with real founders, the Swiss Startup Association is inspiring a generation of young people who are ready to think creatively, take initiative, and make ideas happen.

Want to inspire your students?

Learn more about the Young Minds program and how your school can take part.

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