Opening Week
As a Vice Dean, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing countless academic programs and initiatives, but few have energized our campus quite like the opening week of Tech Venture Bootcamp. This 12-day intensive program, which launched on October 2nd 2025, has transformed our Madrid campus into a vibrant hub of innovation, collaboration, and creative problem-solving.
Breaking Down Silos from Day One
The most striking aspect of our first week has been watching the intentional collision of perspectives. Our bootcamp brings together an unusual mix: computer science students working alongside business majors, seasoned executives collaborating with professors, and entrepreneurs mentoring the teams. The typical team composition – three tech students, one business student, and one industry professional – has proven to be a powerful formula for breakthrough thinking.
The Berkeley Method in Action
Under the leadership of Dean Ikhlaq Sidhu, who co-developed the Berkeley Method of Entrepreneurship, participants have been immersed in design thinking activities that challenge conventional approaches to problem-solving. The framework is rigorous yet accessible, allowing everyone, from first-year students to C-suite executives, to contribute meaningfully.
The opening sessions focused on rapid ideation and team formation. I watched as strangers became collaborators, identifying problems worth solving in areas ranging from sustainability and fashion tech to transport technology and social media for student clubs. The energy in those initial brainstorming sessions was electric.
Technology as a Tool, Not a Barrier
What sets this bootcamp apart is its commitment to making cutting-edge technology accessible. During the opening week, participants have been introduced to generative AI tools, full-stack development frameworks, cloud infrastructure, and AI APIs. Our faculty—led by myself on full stack development, and Manoel Fernando Alonso Gadi on AI – have ensured that even those without deep technical backgrounds can meaningfully engage with these tools.
Building Toward Something Real
The opening week has also clarified the pathways beyond the bootcamp. Participants now understand that their projects could fast-track into our Venture Lab, evolve into capstone projects, or become the foundation for policy research. The €450 first-place prize and additional awards have added competitive energy, but what’s truly motivating teams is the possibility of creating something with real market impact.
Our mentors have already begun engaging with teams, offering mentorship and feedback that grounds these ventures in market realities.
Looking Ahead to Week Two
As we head into the second week, teams will shift from ideation to execution. The prototypes will take shape, the business models will be stress-tested, and the presentations will be refined. The workspace will grow more intense, more focused, and, if the opening week is any indication, more collaborative than ever.
For those of us in university administration, Tech Venture Bootcamp represents the future of higher education: interdisciplinary, experiential, connected to industry, and focused on solving real problems. The opening week has left us eager to see what breakthroughs emerge in the days ahead.
To all our participants: thank you for your energy, curiosity, and willingness to step outside your comfort zones. This is just the beginning.
Applications for our February 2026 bootcamp will open soon. Learn more at techventurebootcamp.org.
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