Business Hive 2025
From 14 to 16 March 2025, the School of Economics and Business, hosted the 14th consecutive Business Hive competition, organized by the student association Management Group. Business Hive is an international competition that brings together students from different countries and areas of expertise. Participants, including economists, engineers, mathematicians, IT developers, designers and creative thinkers, work together to solve real business challenges and come up with solutions in less than 72 hours.
The competition aims to provide companies with innovative ideas and connect them with ambitious students. The best solutions are rewarded and outstanding teams get the opportunity to develop their ideas in collaboration with companies. In addition to the competition, Business Hive also offers many workshops, mentoring and networking opportunities where students connect with successful business people, start-up entrepreneurs and recruiters from renowned companies.
At the opening event, Zala Zakojč, Business Hive team leader, and Maruša Šmid, President of Management Group, talked about the importance of the competition and offered tips on how to get started. This was followed by a speech by the Dean of UL SEB, prof. dr. Tomaž Turk stressed the importance of offering opportunities to young people and wished the students luck in solving the challenges. The participants then had the opportunity to listen to a public speaking workshop led by Boštjan Romih. Presenting solutions to companies requires good rhetorical skills. Through a well-designed presentation, and a little humour, Mr Romih gave the students tips and tricks for a more persuasive, confident and self-assured public presentation.
After the opening speeches and the workshop, it was finally time for the companies - Sandoz/Lek, Atlantic Grupa, Ey Parthenon, Spar, Ixtlan Team, and Knauf Insolation - to present their challenges to the participants. Each of the companies offered a carefully designed challenge relevant to the times and society we live in. Participants were then given 72 hours to come up with a solution. Challenges ranged from finding innovative solutions, and developing marketing plans, to long-term economic strategies. After the opening speeches and the workshop, the participants finally found out about their challenge, and there was already a slight sense of unease in the room as the participants immediately started thinking and strategizing.
After three intense days of challenge-solving, collaboration and idea sharing, the teams impressed both mentors and company representatives with their innovative solutions and in-depth analyses, who praised the high level of professionalism and creativity of the students. The final event was the culmination of the competition - the presentations of the best solutions and the announcement of the winners. Each company chose a winner of the challenge and the team received a € 1000 prize and a reference letter. In addition to the prize-winning teams, other participants also received reference letters. In addition, they all went home with valuable experience, better teamwork skills and a network of new contacts.
Business Hive is not only a competition but also a springboard for ambitious students who want to enter the business world and co-create the future of the economy. The enthusiasm, energy and networking that marked this year's edition confirm that Business Hive remains one of the most important events for young talent and companies looking for innovative solutions.
Author: Filip Geržina