Students from the Business Management and Startup Building program at Mykolas Romeris University, together with program director Assoc. Prof. Dr. Artūras Jurgelevičius, recently returned from an inspiring international experience — ERLab Days 2025 in Heilbronn, Germany. Hosted by European University Viadrina, one of the core partners in the European Reform University Alliance (ERUA), the event brought together a vibrant mix of students, researchers, entrepreneurs, and investors.

Set in one of Europe's fastest-growing startup ecosystems, the three-day event was packed with hands-on workshops, insightful keynotes, and powerful networking opportunities designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and cross-border thinking.

MRU students immersed themselves in real-world learning, exploring essential topics like customer persona development, failure management, creativity techniques, and the structure of emerging entrepreneurial ecosystems — with a special focus on the dynamic scene in Heilbronn. These sessions offered far more than theory: they provided practical tools and firsthand insights into how innovation happens on the ground.

A standout moment of the event was the keynote speech by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Artūras Jurgelevičius during the official opening ceremony. His presentation tackled a subject that’s often avoided but vital — failure in entrepreneurship. “Failure is not the most comfortable topic, especially in academic and business settings,” he shared. “But learning how to manage it is essential for building truly sustainable innovation.”

Reflecting on the experience, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jurgelevičius emphasized how valuable international exposure is for students: a chance to understand diverse entrepreneurial models, meet leading figures in the innovation space, and forge lasting personal and professional connections.

ERLab Days 2025 wasn’t just an event — it was a launchpad. For MRU students, it marked another bold step toward becoming the next generation of startup leaders and change-makers.