The "I am an Entrepreneur!" contest was held as part of the implementation of the party project of the Naberezhnye Chelny local branch of the "Единая Россия" party – "Entrepreneurship Laboratory." The project manager is a member of the local political council, Deputy General Director of the "Татпроф" company Evgeny Rachkov.
Since October, business clubs have been operating in the city’s schools, gymnasiums, and colleges, where participants, under the guidance of experienced mentors, studied the fundamentals of entrepreneurship, learned how to develop their own projects, think through marketing strategies, and present their ideas.
The team mentors were active entrepreneurs of the city – Evgeny Rachkov, Tagir Sungatullin, Robert Zainiev, Diana Erofeeva, Egor Salimov, who accompanied the students for several months and helped them take their first steps in the business environment.
In the final of the contest, the participants presented their projects to an expert jury, which included representatives of government bodies, the business community, and the banking sector.
The winner of the contest was the team from school No. 20 with the project "Shelkovy Veter" (Silky Wind), which received the main cash prize of 100,000 rubles.
Winners in special categories were also determined. In the "Most Promising" category, the project "Pastila ot Byashi" from the Davydov Gymnasium won. The title of "Most Creative" was awarded to the "Smeshkhmaty" team (Davydov Gymnasium). "Sila Zemli" from Gymnasium No. 14 was recognized as the best team. The "Yaltyr" project from school No. 20 was awarded for the best presentation. In the "Future of the City of Naberezhnye Chelny" category, the participants of "Promyshlennye Tainy" from the KIU College won. The special award "For the Will to Win" went to the "Tourism in Chelny" team from the "Adymnar-Chally" Gymnasium. The "Miras" project from Lyceum No. 84 was recognized as the most relevant. The ILSU team from Gymnasium No. 14 was noted for the best marketing move. In the "First Steps in Business" category, the "Flexi Girl" team from the "Adymnar-Chally" Gymnasium won. The "Board Game Cafe" project from the KIU College became the best in the "Social Business" category. Finally, in the "Successful Start" category, the victory was awarded to Alexander Slesarenko, also representing the KIU College.
The People's Choice Award, based on the results of the participants' voting, was received by the "Pastila ot Byashi" project of the Davydov Gymnasium. All contest participants were awarded certificates to a stationery store.
Deputy Head of the City Executive Committee Natalia Kropotova, who was a member of the contest jury, emphasized the importance of such initiatives for the development of youth entrepreneurship: "Supporting novice entrepreneurs is an investment in the city's future. Today it is especially important to help young people realize their ideas, create conditions for the development of initiative, creative thinking, and the first steps in business. It is precisely such projects that form a new generation of active and purposeful young people." In many regions, schoolchildren and students register as self-employed, launch IT startups, develop the service sector, and master agribusiness. This work is carried out within the framework of the national project "Youth and Children," aimed at unlocking the potential of teenagers and students, supporting their initiatives, and creating conditions for turning hobbies into real business.
"Today, it is especially important to create platforms for young people where they can not only express themselves but also gain practical skills, learn to work in a team, present their ideas, and understand the basics of entrepreneurship. The 'Entrepreneurship Laboratory' project helps schoolchildren and students believe in their strengths and take their first steps towards a future profession and their own business," noted the Executive Secretary of the Naberezhnye Chelny local branch of the "Единая Россия" party Rimma Faskhutdinova.
Such projects help form an active, proactive generation of young people ready to develop the economy and social sphere of their hometown.