Innovate and do business
We are shaping a generation that turns ideas into reality.
Discover the Innovate and Entrepreneurship program and develop 21st century skills right at your school!
About the program
The Innovate and Entrepreneurship (IaP) high school program helps students turn ideas into real business projects.
We combine theory with real business and give students practical skills for a successful future.
After success in the Košice region, we are expanding our unique educational program to the Prešov region.
Our educational program focuses on intensively connecting theory with real business. We want every student involved to gain practical skills that will help them open the door to a successful future.
Subject
Subject: Innovate and Entrepreneurship
Modern education for the 2nd and 3rd year of secondary schools . The subject is flexibly adapted to the capabilities of your school.
You can implement it as:
- Compulsory subject
- Elective course (seminar)
- Hobby or club activity
Comprehensive support for your schools:
Turnkey methodology
Educators will receive the book "Innovate and Entrepreneurship", a thematic plan and a methodological manual.
Free e-learning
Interactive environment via Google Classroom for students and teachers.
Personal community
Constant support via email, Google Meet, or a quick WhatsApp group.
Certifications
Official certificates for successful graduates at the end of the school year.
For teachers
The teacher as a mentor and guide to the world of innovation
We offer you continuous development that will prepare students for the job market and support their talent.
- Accredited program (60 hours)According to Section 55 of Act No. 138/2019 Coll. on pedagogical and professional employees.
- Modern approachGain skills in entrepreneurship development, critical thinking, and innovative teaching methods.
- Current topics within educational blocksThe program runs continuously throughout the year, in August, November, February and June.
For secondary schools
business tour
We all know that theory is important. But the real "aha effect" comes when students leave school and see how things work in the real world. That's why we bring a unique Business Tour to high school students through our Innovate and Entrepreneurship program.
The Business Tour activity is designed for high schools from the Košice region that are part of the Innovate and Entrepreneurship program and want to work on their self-development. How does the Business Tour help them find out what they want to do in life?
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Visiting Košice universities
The first stop on our journey is the academic world. During the Business Tour, we will visit three universities in Košice, but we do not follow a single template. The choice of faculties and workplaces is entirely in the hands of the high school (students) - they will adapt the program exactly according to their focus or according to what attracts the students the most.
At universities, we don't just show them empty lecture halls or a terse lecture about their studies. They get a glimpse into laboratories, get acquainted with interesting projects of individual faculties, specialized workplaces, and also get to know the real possibilities of study and, most importantly, find out what broad application awaits them after obtaining their diploma.
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Touch with practice
But it doesn't end there. The second part of the day belongs to real business. We take students directly to successful companies that create value, job opportunities and support the innovation ecosystem in our region. We focus on a diverse range of industries - from IT technologies, through construction, research, technological solutions, robotics, the banking sector, the legal sector, fashion and healthcare, and various startups to modern green solutions.
This is where students encounter practice already during high school. Suddenly it's not just about "what" the company does, but they see it from the inside. They discover:
- what the real corporate climate and culture looks like,
- what specific skills (skills and qualities) employers are looking for today,
- how the company operates and builds value,
- what opportunities does the company offer to high schools and students,
- what innovative solutions the company uses and how it keeps up with AI technology,
- what career growth opportunities they have directly in the region.
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Košický kraj
Why do we do all this? The result of the Business Tour is not just one interesting day outside of school, during which students "pour" out their papers. Our main vision is to build a strong and functioning connection on the axis of:
Student University Society
We want to show young people with our own eyes that they don't have to look for top-notch education and a great career hundreds of kilometers across the border. They have it right here. By connecting students with local opportunities, we actively contribute to the most important thing - keeping young talents at home and the continuous development of the innovation ecosystem in the Košice region.
References
What teachers and students say
Don't change a thing, it was great and completely different (innovative) than the trainings I've attended.Učiteľka Innovative Education Training
What interested me most was the idea that a business mindset can be purposefully developed in students, not only through content, but especially through the way we assign tasks.Teacher training participant Innovative Education Training
Thank you for all the ideas and techniques, but also for the opportunity to collaborate with participants who showed us less experienced people what works for them.Teacher training participant Innovative Education Training
Fantastic trainer, excellently covered topic.Teacher training participant Project management and business trends
Thank you for the great subject and approach! It's very inspiring and motivating, I enjoy the form and energy of the whole team.Student Subject: Innovate and Entrepreneurship
The platform is clean, modern, and very easy to use. I like that we have everything in one place.Student Skool Platform
The mentors who worked with us were a great experience and a help for the future.Student CAMP participant Branding and marketing
A competition where you can try out the role of a company founder!
Do you have an idea and want to show it to the world? Join the prestigious Founders Challenge with your team! Every year we organize the largest high school competition for the best innovative and entrepreneurial idea.
The mission of the competition is to develop students' independence, entrepreneurship, and creative activity within the framework of innovations and startups, to support the development and implementation of innovative projects solving specific market problems, and to contribute to students' successful entry into the labor market.
The IaP program, of which the FCH competition is a direct part, wants to harness your creativity and connect it with innovation. It gives participants a unique opportunity to gain knowledge that is key to business success. Become part of the team that is transforming the Košice region into a place where it is worth living and doing business.
- Team registration Starts end of November 2026
Progress
How is it going?
From school registration to long-term support for startups that emerge during the program.
Registration of schools in the program
Schools apply via an electronic form. They decide to implement the optional subject Innovate and do business in their formal education.
Innovative education for teachers
ICKK will provide training for subject teachers in late August to early September 2024. Online retraining of teachers will take place every quarter, in addition, each school will receive its own mentor.
Education of the subject Innovate and do business
Students learn the given subject based on the schedule and curriculum. Lectures are conducted in a classic format, but also in an interactive format (videos, lectures or creative activities). Within the subject, students work with their idea and create a concrete project from it. The curriculum and education program will be provided to all schools in advance.
Founders Challenge
Selected students with the idea that has the greatest potential will be able to participate in the Founders Challenge, where they work intensively on their project and prepare for a presentation before a committee that will take place at the regional innovation festival Innoveast.
Long-term support for startups created within the program
ICKK, together with all partner organizations, will continue to support startups created during the program so that they receive adequate support for the further development of their project. In addition, we connect these startups with opportunities that team members will be able to take advantage of during their university studies at one of the regional universities.
Partnerships
Partners and cooperation
We work together with the best in the region to develop young talents.
Cooperating organizations
Youth Council of the Košice Region
Department of Education of the Košice Self-Governing Region
NIVAM Regional Youth Work Coordinator
BBSK innovation ecosystem
PSK Innovation Partner Center
Cooperating companies
Holcim
Cancom
Frequently Asked questions
Your idea, our answers
Review the questions we receive most frequently about the Innovate and Entrepreneurship program.
Write to the education teamHow can my school get involved?
Fill out the registration form and our education team will contact you. We offer the program to schools from September.
How can I register my school for the Innovate and Entrepreneurship program?
Schools apply via an electronic form on this website. In cooperation with the Košice Self-Governing Region, we launch an information campaign about applying every March of the given year.
What grades is the subject intended for?
The program is designed primarily for 2nd and 3rd year high school students. The final concept is finalized by the school itself.
In what ways can the program be incorporated into teaching?
We offer three implementation modes: as part of a mandatory course, as an elective course (seminar), or as a hobby, i.e. club activity.
How is the innovative teacher education taking place?
Innovative education takes place according to Section 55 of Act No. 138/2019 Coll. in the amount of 60 hours, continuously during the school year in four blocks: August, November, February and June, a total of 6 days.
What if I don't feel like teaching such a subject?
Each educator will receive the book "Innovate and Entrepreneurship" with methodology and practical tasks, access to free e-learning, and ongoing consultations via email, WhatsApp group, or Google Meet.
When does team registration for the Founders Challenge begin?
Registration of teams for the 2026/2027 school year starts in September 2026. An application for approval of the organizational rules of the competition has been submitted to the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports of the Slovak Republic.
Is the Founders Challenge also for schools that are not involved in the subject?
A condition for participating in the Founders Challenge is that the school participates in the Innovate and Entrepreneurship program.
Who is the author of the program and what partners does ICKK have?
The program is implemented under the auspices of the Košice Self-Governing Region and the Innovation Center of the Košice Region. We cooperate with the Youth Council of the Košice Region, the Department of Education of the Košice Region, NIVAM, the innovation ecosystems BBSK and PSK, and with the companies Holcim and Cancom.
Is the IaP program accredited?
Yes. The program is officially recommended by the Košice Self-Governing Region and Innovative Teacher Education takes place according to Section 55 of Act No. 138/2019 Coll. in the amount of 60 hours.
Applications
Documents
Teacher application and school registration for the subject.
Our education team
Do you have any questions about the program, subject or competition? Do not hesitate to contact us, we will be happy to explain everything to you.
From the blog
Articles on the Innovate and Entrepreneurship program
News from schools, workshops, and the Founders Challenge.
How innovative education and the Innovate and Entrepreneurship subject are changing secondary schools across Slovakia
Read →
Innovate and Entrepreneurship: Education that opens the door to entrepreneurship
Read →
Two years of the ICKK in the Košice region. Has it changed us?
Read →
What next?
Other programs that may suit you
Competition
Founders Challenge
High school competition for the best innovative and entrepreneurial idea. Directly related to the subject.
Find out more →
For universities
YESlab
If you continue on to college after high school, you can continue with the project here.
Find out more →
Accelerator
Sweet & Salty
Once you have a prototype and want your first customers, two months and an investment.
Find out more →