On May 13th, 2024, the NU Building at VU Amsterdam buzzed with activity as visitors explored the VU Business Market. Ten student entrepreneurs presented their businesses, offering a glimpse into the diverse talents within the VU community. From a furniture designer and a video game creator to a job-matching app developer and an MC, the market featured an inspiring range of student-led initiatives. Visitors engaged with the stalls, discovering unique products and services while providing valuable exposure to the student entrepreneurs.
The VU Business Market is the result of the Connected Campus Challenge, an initiative by the Impact Lab. Over the past academic year, this 16-week challenge brought students, staff, and teachers together to reimagine the VU campus as a vibrant learning and social hub. The collaborative effort focused on creating a space that empowers its community, embraces innovation, and fosters mutual support.
The winning idea from the Connected Campus Challenge earned the prestigious Impact and Inspiration Award, becoming the foundation for the VU Business Market. Özlem Bayazit, a second-year Bachelor's student in International Business Administration and the author of the idea, was the driving force behind its implementation. Along with a dedicated group of collaborators, Sanskriti Vagrecha and Yagmur Kenar, Özlem helped bring the idea to life, transforming it into a vibrant event that celebrated the entrepreneurial spirit of VU students. This initiative also demonstrated the power of collaboration in shaping the future of our campus.