The Authenticitys Challenge

THE AUTHENTICITYS CHALLENGE

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The Authenticitys Challenge is a fast-paced entrepreneurship experience where you learn-by-doing while creating positive change in the city you live. It is an open initiative that tackles social problems by bringing together social enterprises and students through a human-centred, learning-by-doing methodology. The way we learn is changing: Action and experience in real-life situations are a key part of education and competency building.

Since 2013, The Authenticitys Challenge has had over 100 actionable ideas with 500+ students from top universities and programs.

The Authenticitys Challenge was born from a very clear need: Students were not experiencing the entire cycle of entrepreneurship. Living through the motivation cycle, the chaos, the uncertainty… the challenge allows them to start planting the necessary attitudes and competencies students require for being an entrepreneur. Furthermore, the challenge:

Offers students the possibility to connect with authentic local experiences that bring social and environmental value to the city.

Support responsible tourism in cities, that breaks out of the current dominant paradigm of consuming without thinking of the impact. Creates possibilities of seeing tourism as a movement of social change and for creating social value from it.

Discover an entrepreneurial approach to design thinking and lean start-up methodologies supported by leading professionals and companies.

Create relationships and be inspired over time through the link the students create with experts and social entrepreneurs in the city.

To provide local entrepreneurs another revenue stream which also builds their brand and followers.

Receive the Authenticitys certificate as an experience designer.

The Authenticitys Challenge includes:

The Authenticitys workbook Challenge

Over 200+ pages to work with the most innovative tools and methodologies on entrepreneurship through the experience.

Online tools and technologies

The Challenge is designed so students can learn and practice theory in a classroom setting, but then use technology to share and record their outside class learning, through video.

In-Class Teaching

The Authenticitys Challenge is set up in levels and is adapted to the needs of the institution and the students. It can be delivered in two formats:
· Workshop Style (3-5 days)
· In a semester (throughout a course)

"Participating in the Authenticitys Challenge was an eye opening experience. Not only approaches entrepreneurial factors in an original fun way, but it was a key factor for us to further develop our project.”

Zaida Bericat,
UPF 2014

“I am very thankful to have to opportunity to work with Authenticitys. As a business student, it is refreshing to use finite skills learned in the classroom in a “real life” situation. It has also helped address start-up gaps and questions.”

Michelle Restivo,
UPF 2015

Student projects:

Objectives

The Authenticitys Challenge is a PROCESS, and its main objective is learning. Therefore our main focus and results are based on how much the students learned throughout, not only on the effectiveness of their idea.

We seek to maximise knowledge creation: by crystallising ideas, making a plan, acting, experimenting and reflecting on results.

The greatest source of learning is experience: we take action outside the classroom and their comfort zone for full immersion.

Raise awareness on how to create solutions that add social value in their cities.

How does it work?

The Authenticitys Challenge is a unique opportunity for students to work in open city initiative, allowing students to connect with the local ecosystem while finding new and different ways to add value.

We work in teams: students come together to solve a pre-defined challenge.

They work through the different levels of the workbook by going through theory (in-class teaching and facilitation) and practice (in-class and in the city).

Results are presented and worked upon through specific in-class mentoring (or via Skype).

Presentations and Results are usually submitted in a Video format.

Players

Students.

Local artisans and entrepreneurs.

Experts.

Authenticitys Challenge Coach.

Professors.

Join as a University

Have the opportunity to participate in a social entrepreneurship project bringing together the local ecosystems of young talent, experts, entrepreneurs and a coach of the process.

Offer the students an opportunity to work with the latest methodologies on real problems in an open initiative and a collaborative learning experience. The 7 level methodology adapts so that it can be a part of an already existing course, or be developed as a stand-alone challenge.

Bring forth multidisciplinary competencies that will allow students to unearth skills and develop a resilient attitude.