The Opportunity
AUBG Elevate Season 6 brought together eight early-stage startup teams working on diverse ideas - from autonomous robotics and drone delivery to pet care, student applications, consumer products, and local creator platforms.
At this stage of the accelerator journey, the challenge was not only to have an idea.
The teams needed to make their business logic clearer: who they serve, what value they create, how their solution fits the market, and what assumptions still need to be tested before pitching.
The key question was: how do we help young founders move from promising ideas to sharper, more structured business models?
At this stage of the accelerator journey, the challenge was not only to have an idea.
The teams needed to make their business logic clearer: who they serve, what value they create, how their solution fits the market, and what assumptions still need to be tested before pitching.
The key question was: how do we help young founders move from promising ideas to sharper, more structured business models?
The Smart Minds Approach
Smart Minds was invited to lead a specialised Business Modeling and Business Model Canvas workshop for AUBG Elevate, following a recommendation from Eleven Ventures.
The session was facilitated by Tzvetelina Teneva and combined lecture, practical work, presentation, and open time for questions.
Instead of treating the Business Model Canvas as a static template, Smart Minds used it as a thinking and decision-making tool.
The teams worked on refining the key elements of their business models, with specific focus on:
The workshop created space for the founders to step back from their ideas, challenge their assumptions, and translate their vision into a more structured business logic.
The session was facilitated by Tzvetelina Teneva and combined lecture, practical work, presentation, and open time for questions.
Instead of treating the Business Model Canvas as a static template, Smart Minds used it as a thinking and decision-making tool.
The teams worked on refining the key elements of their business models, with specific focus on:
- clearer value propositions;
- sharper customer segments;
- better connection between problem, solution, and market need;
- stronger preparation for their final pitches.
The workshop created space for the founders to step back from their ideas, challenge their assumptions, and translate their vision into a more structured business logic.
The Outcomes
The process helped the startup teams:
The eight participating teams worked across different fields and business concepts: RobotNik, BlazeBox, Bolt Energy Gum, PetLawn, VYNX, Uspei!, Mosta, and Falcon.
The strongest value of the session was clarity.
The teams left with a better understanding of how to connect their idea, customer, value proposition, and execution logic into one coherent business model.
- refine their Business Model Canvases;
- clarify who their solution is really for;
- improve the way they explain their value proposition;
- identify gaps and assumptions in their business model;
- prepare their ideas more effectively for presentation and investor-facing conversations.
The eight participating teams worked across different fields and business concepts: RobotNik, BlazeBox, Bolt Energy Gum, PetLawn, VYNX, Uspei!, Mosta, and Falcon.
The strongest value of the session was clarity.
The teams left with a better understanding of how to connect their idea, customer, value proposition, and execution logic into one coherent business model.
The Impact
By combining structured business thinking with hands-on practice, AUBG Elevate participants moved closer to turning early-stage ideas into pitch-ready ventures.
For Smart Minds, the workshop was a practical contribution to the next generation of founders - helping them build not only confidence, but clearer business foundations.
The result was stronger startup thinking, sharper positioning, and more focused preparation for the next stage of the Elevate journey.
For Smart Minds, the workshop was a practical contribution to the next generation of founders - helping them build not only confidence, but clearer business foundations.
The result was stronger startup thinking, sharper positioning, and more focused preparation for the next stage of the Elevate journey.