The second edition of the AUBG Business Challenge was a true creative marathon, uniting students from diverse disciplines to propose innovative solutions to real-world business challenges. The event was marked by exceptional enthusiasm, ingenuity, and a commitment to learning and growth.
From Innovative Ideas to Inspiring Initiatives
After the official opening ceremony, teams were assigned one of three unique cases presented by leading companies—Feydom, Ficosota, and Cohones. Each challenge required creativity, strategic thinking, and teamwork to tackle marketing, sales, and branding objectives.
- Feydom: Participants crafted an innovative marketing strategy to promote the brand’s new showroom featuring modular sofas.
- Maretti (Ficosota): The winning team proposed the launch of gluten-free crackers, introducing the product to the Bulgarian market for the first time.
- Cohones: Students worked on expanding the brand’s target audience while breaking stereotypes about beer by pairing it with diverse food options.
“The Business Challenge: Mining Gold was an unforgettable experience that combined strategic thinking, teamwork, and real-world problem-solving, providing invaluable personal and professional growth,” said Ivana Katsarska, a member of the team that won the Ficosota case.
Collaboration and Mentorship
Over the course of the weekend, students immersed themselves in their projects, supported by experienced mentors from various industries. These mentorship sessions offered invaluable guidance and helped participants refine their ideas. The program also included activities designed to foster creativity and strengthen team dynamics.
“To all the students who participated, whether as competitors or organizers, I am incredibly proud of you. I hope each of you gained at least one valuable lesson to guide you in your bright future. From what I’ve seen, I’m certain that future will indeed be bright,” said Kaloyan Ivanov (‘11) who mentored one of the teams.
One of the weekend’s highlights was a lecture by the Country Manager for Bulgaria, Andrey Avramov, who shared insights on professionalism, representation, and effectiveness. The informal discussions that followed provided participants with additional inspiration and actionable advice.
Final Presentations and Awards
On the final day, teams presented their solutions to a jury of experts. The level of preparation, creativity, and professionalism displayed in the presentations impressed everyone in attendance. The jury evaluated the projects based on set criteria and awarded winners in each category.
“The second edition of the AUBG Business Challenge was a shining example of what can be achieved when passion, teamwork, and innovation come together. As president, I am immensely proud of how our club united to create an impactful and inspiring event, empowering participants to deliver exceptional strategies for leading companies. This experience truly underscores the values of the AUBG Business Club—integrity, innovation, and teamwork—while leaving a lasting legacy for future initiatives, ” shared Nikol Atanasova, President of the AUBG Business Club.
Beyond Competition: A Gesture of Support
A memorable moment of the event was the announcement by Prof. Petkov, the Business Club’s academic mentor, of the continued financial support for a scholarship for students excelling in marketing. This generous gesture inspired participants and underscored the importance of nurturing young talent.
The event was realized with the support of a number of leading companies, including P&G, Interpartners, Sintica, Ficosota, A1, Asarel Medet, Avendi, Postbank, Derma Expert, Cinemax Blagoevgrad, Starseeds Naturals, Balkan Climbing and others.
