Econverse: Empowering the next generation of innovators

Last month, Econverse V4 made its mark in Prague, hosted by NEWTON University, bringing together young leaders from across the region to collaborate on cross-border initiatives. Under the leadership of its founder and president, Jan Bartkowiak, Econverse has grown from a personal mission to address gaps in experiential learning in Poland into a platform fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and global connections, now expanding internationally. In this interview, the founder reflects on the journey, the challenges, and his vision for shaping the future of education and entrepreneurship.

1. What inspired you to create Econverse, and how has your vision for the platform evolved since its inception?

I was inspired by the lack of experiential learning opportunities in Poland, something I experienced firsthand during my education. In Poland, access to mentors, peers, and practical knowledge - particularly in launching a startup - is limited. I founded Econverse during my first year at Minerva University, known as the World's Most Innovative University, to provide younger peers with the resources and opportunities I didn’t have. My goal was to strengthen the Polish startup ecosystem and contribute to broader economic growth.

Over the past three years, we have supported over 4,000 high school students across Poland. We’ve also experimented with new models, including the Warsaw Startup Club - a university association bridging business, science, and technology - and Econverse Shark Tank, an annual competition showcasing the most talented under-25 founders and innovators in Poland.

Recently, we launched our first international project, Econverse V4. Our aim is to bridge gaps between regional startup ecosystems and connect young leaders from four countries to encourage cross-border initiatives and global thinking. Long term, we aspire to expand this initiative to include more countries while solidifying our impact in Poland. We believe Econverse, by equipping young people with economically versatile skills and experiences, is a critical initiative for driving change and helping Europe accelerate its progress. 

2. What were the most significant challenges you faced in establishing Econverse, and how did you overcome them to achieve its current success?

I started Econverse at 19, during my semester in San Francisco. Over the next few years, I spent semesters in Seoul, Taipei, Hyderabad, and Buenos Aires, meaning I was away from home, my team, and the local business ecosystem for most of the time. Despite these challenges - starting young and working 90% remotely - we managed to grow quickly and meet our goals. These constraints, in a way, motivated us to excel and make the most of every moment we had in Poland to find new opportunities for Econverse.

Another challenge was the resistance to change within the education system, which has remained largely unchanged since its origins in the 18th century. While the need for transformation was clear to us, it wasn’t always obvious to those outside our bubble. This made it difficult initially to find people aligned with our mission, especially as a group of 19-year-olds organising an event at Warsaw's National Stadium with limited support.

Fortunately, things have shifted. We’ve built a community of like-minded individuals - teens, mentors, parents, startups, corporations, and institutions - who believe in the need for educational change. Today, more mavericks are joining us, bringing their companies on board and enabling us to expand. We now have over 70 mentors and 20 partners actively involved in Econverse.

3. Econverse brings together students and education professionals. What stories stand out to you the most, and what are your long-term goals for the platform?

Through more than 30 Econverse events, we’ve introduced over 4,000 Polish students - many from small towns - to the world of startups. Our events inspire participants by connecting them with leading companies like Baker McKenzie, Google for Startups, and Autopay, as well as renowned speakers and entrepreneurs such as Rafał Brzoska, Marek Zmysłowski, and Jarosław Królewski.

Our impact is particularly significant because there’s a gap between high school, university, and work, which often leaves brilliant minds behind. Many teens struggle to access career and extracurricular opportunities, especially if they come from less privileged backgrounds. We work to ensure Polish youth have the knowledge, skills, and networks to kickstart their careers and become entrepreneurs.

Our participants have achieved remarkable outcomes, from working with Google for startups to interning at leading Polish firms and startups. For example, Oliwia Myczkowska, the winner of our premier Shark Tank, became the youngest Forbes "30 Under 30" Poland honouree, while Szymon Jackowski, our Head of Merit, recently won the International Economics Olympiad.

Looking ahead, we aim to support thousands more teens in 2025 and beyond. We also plan to strengthen the Warsaw Startup Club, our spin-off initiative, to further develop Warsaw as a leading startup hub in Europe.

4. What do you hope students who attend Econverse take away from the experience, and how do you envision the event shaping their future educational and career journeys?

At Econverse events, teens build their own startups from scratch, gaining skills through workshops on topics like design thinking, communication design, and segmentation. They work with unfamiliar peers in similar industries and receive valuable feedback from experienced mentors. You don’t need to know anyone or even have a business idea to participate. The programme is accessible to everyone, regardless of background or skill level.

Participants stay with their teams until the Pitch Contest, where they compete for scholarships, internships, and partnerships with startups and corporations in front of a jury of business leaders. This simulation format is designed to inspire and teach by immersing students in a dynamic, gamified environment where they can iterate and build on their knowledge in real-time.

Econverse aims to bridge the gap between school and the real world, equipping teens with the tools and confidence to take their first steps into the entrepreneurial landscape. The relationships they form during our events often lead to exciting opportunities and lasting connections.

5. As a founder, what advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs who want to create impactful platforms or initiatives in the education sector?

My biggest advice is not to be afraid to start. It’s worth it - you learn so much faster when you apply your knowledge in practice. Having real ownership over your projects and outcomes is incredibly rewarding, and I highly recommend “student entrepreneurship” to everyone.

There’s still so much to do in the education sector in Central and Eastern Europe, both in terms of creating new value propositions and expanding the reach of existing ones. My advice is to identify a specific, tangible problem you’ve experienced yourself and work to solve it for future generations. By following this approach, you’ll find both joy and impact in your endeavours.

Programs like Econverse are complemented by initiatives such as the NEWTON Business Accelerator (NBA), which helps young entrepreneurs take their ideas to the next level. NBA provides a structured path to refine business models, connect with mentors, and access resources to scale ventures. Have a business idea? NEWTON University can help you turn it into a reality, from development to potential funding.

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