The Market Berri programme launches its 4th edition to transform Basque retail through youth-led innovation
The Market Berri programme launches its 4th edition to transform Basque retail through youth-led innovation
The Market Berri programme launches its 4th edition to transform Basque retail through youth-led innovation
The Oñati campus hosted the project launch and selection event on 5 November, where 18 innovative ideas developed by LEINN Degree students were presented to address the sector’s strategic challenges
The retail, education and entrepreneurship ecosystem of the Basque Country came together once again at the Business Faculty of Mondragon Unibertsitatea to kick off the 4th edition of Market Berri. This programme, promoted in collaboration with the Basque Government’s Directorate of Trade, aims to connect young talent with the real needs of local retail.
A participatory process of a high standard
Following an intensive period of preliminary work, which included the launch of strategic challenges on 7 October, teams from the LEINN laboratories in Bilbao, Irun and Oñati presented several project ideas. The final selection was the result of an open voting process, during which industry stakeholders had the opportunity to assess the students’ video pitches.
Inspiration and connection with the sector
The event opened with institutional remarks from Izaskun Gómez Cermeño, Director of Trade of the Basque Government, and Siv Bermeosolo Salterain, MTA Coordinator (Mondragon University-Busines Faculty Entrepreneurship Unit). During the event, the roundtable discussion "Shall We Talk About the Sector?" was held, featuring Sarai Sánchez Lucas, co-founder of Érase1vez in Vitoria-Gasteiz, and Nèstor Gomez and Patricia Ardanuy, founders of La Visionaria Gazta Denda in Irun, who shared their personal experiences with the students.
Following the roundtable, Olaia Garcia, Jare Landa and Irati Telleria (LEINNers from Oñati Lab) presented their KÜME project, a product designed to support women through the physical and emotional changes they experience during menopause.
One of the most anticipated moments of the day was the announcement of the 7 winning ideas from this edition and the 2 projects (LabCoop and The Coffee Experience) from the previous edition, which will have the opportunity to receive support from Market Berri to continue developing and refining their proposals. The teams presented their ideas live through two-minute pitches, demonstrating their ability to communicate concisely, their creativity and their passion for transforming local retail.
Networking and Community
To close the event, the MTA Laboratory in Oñati was brought to life with live music by Virginia de la Casa and Asier Crespo, while attendees had the opportunity to network over lunch. The Noma team from LEINN Oñati Lab gave each attendee a bookmark made from recycled denim and customised with the programme’s logo.
Looking ahead: five key challenges
From now on, the selected projects will work on developing solutions to five challenges defined by the Basque Government:
- Vacant retail premises
- Inclusive retail
- Generational succession
- Value-added services
- Rural municipalities (small and ageing)
With this event, Market Berri is consolidating its position as a driving initiative, reaffirming Mondragon University’s commitment to revitalising our cities and towns through entrepreneurship.