The project was entirely youth‑led: from content creation and partnerships to fundraising, implementation and facilitation. The organisers were Saga Leppiviita (22), Elina Tuononen (21), Tiuhti Halonen (20), and Kristian Sivula (20).
The camp offered participants a practical introduction to entrepreneurial thinking based on the ENTRECOMP framework, with a strong emphasis on applying learning to real‑life contexts. Rather than focusing only on traditional business ideas, ENTRECAMP explored how entrepreneurial skills can be used in many different settings – such as developing a small enterprise, strengthening volunteer activities in local organisations, or launching new initiatives within one’s own community.
Throughout the camp, participants were encouraged to reflect on their role as active changemakers and to identify where entrepreneurial thinking could support their everyday actions. The programme combined workshops, peer learning and hands‑on exercises, allowing participants to work with real challenges drawn from their own experiences. Learning was based on discussion, experimentation and collaboration in a safe and supportive environment.
Entrepreneur guest speakers played a key role by sharing their personal journeys, challenges and lessons learned. The camp also welcomed Kim Väisänen and Elias Aalto, known from the Finnish Shark Tank, who offered concrete insights into pitching, idea development and the realities of entrepreneurship. These sessions helped participants understand that uncertainty,
setbacks and continuous learning are a natural part of the entrepreneurial process.
One of the highlights of ENTRECAMP was a Shark Tank–style workshop, where participants practised presenting ideas, adapting their message to different audiences and receiving constructive feedback. The workshop strengthened participants’ communication skills and helped them see how ideas are evaluated from different perspectives when seeking support,
cooperation or funding.
Towards the end of the camp, ENTRECAMP concluded with a hackathon‑style process focused on turning learning into action. Each participant created a personal action plan outlining concrete next steps for applying their skills after returning home. Several participants gained both the competence and motivation to start their own businesses, while others focused on developing organisations, volunteer activities or community initiatives.
Participants’ progress will be followed after the project, and the community created through ENTRECAMP continues to offer support, peer learning and new connections for early‑stage entrepreneurs. The atmosphere throughout the camp was exceptionally positive: participants were highly motivated, fully engaged from the start and enthusiastic about learning and doing together. Every participant expressed interest in taking part again, clearly demonstrating the strong need for this kind of youth‑led entrepreneurial learning.
ENTRECAMP showed that entrepreneurship is not only about starting a business, but about mindset, initiative and responsibility. By connecting learning directly to participants’ own lives and communities, the camp aimed to create long‑term impact beyond the event itself.