What happens when you notice a real problem and decide to find out whether your idea can actually solve it? On 5–7 May, Mykolas Romeris University (MRU) invites ERUA students and early-career researchers to ERUA Venturethon – a three-day intensive challenge where ideas are not only developed, but also tested against real evidence.
This is not a lecture series about entrepreneurship. Over three days, participants will work in international teams and learn to approach an idea as real-world founders do: define who their solution is for, talk to potential users, test whether the problem is real, develop the simplest possible version of their solution, find out whether people would pay for it, and finally present the results to a jury.
Evidence Over Promises
The Venturethon is built around a simple principle – “proof, not promises.” A good-sounding idea is not enough. Participants will learn to look for concrete evidence that shows whether a problem really exists, whether people need the proposed solution, and whether they would be willing to pay for it.
Over three days, teams will go through nine validation stages. At the end of each stage, they will assess the evidence they have gathered and make a decision: continue with the idea, change direction, or abandon it. Rather than becoming attached to their initial idea, participants will learn to let the evidence show them where it should go next.
Your Idea Can Take Shape During the Venturethon
The Venturethon is open to students and early-career researchers from all eight ERUA universities and across disciplines. You do not need to have a ready-made business idea or any previous business or technical experience to take part.
Teams will be formed at the beginning of the event, giving participants the opportunity to work with people from other universities and different academic backgrounds. Different experiences and perspectives will become part of the process as teams develop and test their ideas together.
Participants will also have the opportunity to meet mentors, entrepreneurs and members of the Lithuanian startup ecosystem.
After three days, participants will leave with not only a tested idea and a three-minute pitch to the jury, but also a practical method they can apply to future projects, ideas or research.
Practical Information
Dates: 5–7 May 2027
Format: Intensive online event, with an in-person hub at MRU in Vilnius
Language: English
ECTS: 3
Who can apply: Students and early-career researchers from ERUA universities, from all academic disciplines
Participation: Free of charge
Introductory session: 6 April 2027, 19:00 CET
Application deadline: 26 March 2027
Places are limited and teams will be kept small. In their application, participants should briefly introduce themselves, their field of study, and either an idea they would like to test or a challenge they would like to work on.
Students interested in participating are invited to submit their application online HERE.
Detailed application instructions are available HERE.
MRU students can apply via: a.jurgelevicius@mruni.eu
More information about the Venturethon programme, application process and participation conditions is available in the detailed course description here.