As part of the international ERASMUS+ VEHUB4YOU project, a series of intensive practical training courses have been successfully completed that used the business simulation format as a key methodology for developing the entrepreneurial competencies of project participants. The fundamental goals of the VEHUB4YOU project are to intensify the development of entrepreneurial skills and to comprehensively support startup initiatives among students and young entrepreneurs who are active residents of virtual youth business hubs established in the partner countries: Ukraine and Azerbaijan. The use of innovative pedagogical approaches, including business simulations, was aimed at ensuring the practical orientation of training and the development of applied skills necessary for successful entrepreneurship in a globally competitive environment.

During the trainings, participants had the opportunity to:

- Apply theoretical knowledge in practice: They actively used the knowledge gained through asynchronous mobility, making decisions in realistic business scenarios.

- Develop key skills: The classes helped develop decision-making, teamwork, leadership, and strategic planning skills that are critical for successful business.

- Analyze and assess risks: Participants learned to assess potential risks and opportunities, developing effective strategies to manage them.

- Learning through experience: Business simulations provided active learning where participants learned from their own experience, analyzing the results of their decisions and drawing conclusions.

- Networking and cooperation: The classes created a platform for networking and exchange of experience among participants, facilitating the formation of valuable professional contacts.

In accordance with the project objectives, eight business simulations out of the five planned in the project were conducted in a mixed format in partnership with Mingachevir State University in February-March 2025.

The first practical training was held on February 12, 2025, within the framework of the ERASMUS+ VEHUB4YOU project, and focused on the current interdisciplinary issue of “Talentonomics: New Challenges for Personal Development”. The use of the business simulation methodology has demonstrated its effectiveness as an innovative tool for stimulating personal growth, creativity and the formation of entrepreneurial competencies among a wide range of participants from Ukraine and Azerbaijan.

The training provided participants with not only a deeper understanding of their own talents and strengths, but also contributed to the development of key managerial and cognitive skills, in particular:

- Leadership: Through active participation in simulated business scenarios that required strategic decision-making and team coordination.

- Critical thinking: By analyzing complex problem situations, evaluating alternatives and justifying decisions.

- Creative problem solving: By stimulating the search for non-standard approaches and innovative solutions in simulated business contexts.

The trainer was Ivan Hrynishyn, a practicing expert in marketing and business development from the Agency of Industrial Marketing - AIM. His expert report provided an integration of theoretical knowledge with practical experience, which contributed to a deeper understanding of the concepts discussed and their applied value in the real business environment.

The first practical training has become an effective platform for intellectual exchange, development of key entrepreneurial qualities and formation of practical skills among the international audience of participants.

On February 18, 2025, the second training was held, dedicated to the extremely relevant aspect of “Marketing Management in Crisis: Anti-Crisis Strategies and Cases”. This event was focused on in-depth analysis and practical application of anti-crisis strategies in the context of marketing management, the speaker of the training was Yurii Gorodetskyi, Marketing Director of Hisense Corporation in Ukraine.

The training program included:

- Consideration of real cases of crisis management: Participants had the opportunity to learn about examples of successful and unsuccessful strategies, which allowed them to gain valuable insights into the practical application of the theory.

- Learning effective strategies for overcoming crisis challenges: Particular attention was paid to methods and tools that allow companies not only to survive but also to remain competitive in difficult market conditions.

- Analysis of the factors of flexibility and prompt decision-making: The training emphasized the importance of adaptability and the ability to respond quickly to changes, which are key factors in successful crisis management.

- Learning tools for maintaining business competitiveness in a crisis: Participants gained a comprehensive understanding of a set of techniques and analysis of successful cases.

This training was designed to provide participants with practical skills and strategic understanding needed to effectively manage marketing in crisis situations.

On February 19, 2025, the third specialized training was held, combining theoretical and practical aspects using business simulations to provide an in-depth study of modern business practices. The practicing expert was Natalia Shabatin, Brand Manager of Fillin, a leading Ukrainian company specializing in outsourcing and staff leasing, which provided participants with access to up-to-date information from a leading industry expert. The training focused on the integration of artificial intelligence into business processes, providing participants with in-depth knowledge on the application of modern artificial intelligence tools to optimize productivity and stimulate creativity in the business environment, as well as on innovative approaches to human resources management, where advanced HR management methods based on innovative strategies and best international practices were presented and analyzed. Participants received practical recommendations on how to effectively adapt and implement innovative approaches in a dynamic business environment and had the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills gained through the analysis and solution of real business cases, which helped to consolidate theoretical concepts and develop practical competencies. This training contributed to the professional development of the participants, providing them with relevant knowledge and practical skills necessary for successful operation in the modern business environment, where innovation and technology play a key role.

On February 20, 2025, the fourth training dedicated to the fundamental concept of the Customer Journey: Designing Customer Experience (CX) as an Integrative Element of Strategic Business Management was held. The guest speaker from the business was Ivan Skorokhodov, Marketing Director at Softorg, who presented an extended analysis of the theoretical foundations and practical implementations of CX design and optimization methodologies.

During the training, an in-depth study of the strategic paradigm of customer centricity was carried out, its decisive role in shaping sustainable competitive advantages and ensuring long-term profitability of the enterprise was substantiated. Particular attention was paid to:

- Conceptualization of the customer journey: A detailed consideration of the stages of consumer interaction with the company, from the initial awareness of the need to post-sales service.

- Methodological principles of CX design: Analyzing key tools and frameworks, including Customer Journey Mapping, persona development, and service design, to systematically create a positive customer experience.

- Strategic integration of CX into business processes: Justify the need to align customer experience with the company's overall business strategy and operations.

- Quantifying the impact of CX on business results: Consideration of metrics and indicators of customer experience management effectiveness, including loyalty (NPS), customer retention (Customer Retention Rate) and their impact on the financial performance of the enterprise.

The training was aimed not only at revealing the theoretical aspects of CX, but also at providing participants with practical tools for developing and implementing effective customer experience management strategies in a highly competitive market environment.

On February 25, 2025, the planned fifth practical training on the topic: “Cash Flow Quadrant: Analysis of the Behavior of Market Economy Entities and Capital Formation Strategies” was held. The event, conducted by Viacheslav Shevchenko, a practitioner and Director of SWIFT GARANT LLC, ensured the integration of fundamental academic knowledge with direct practical experience of real business.

The purpose of this training was to promote students' in-depth understanding of the financial aspects of companies' activities and mechanisms of equity formation from a practical point of view, in particular through the use of business simulations. The seminar program covered key issues of personal finance management, including the methodology for calculating compound interest and strategies for accumulating capital necessary for further development of entrepreneurial activities, which were implemented in business simulation scenarios.

The training participants had the opportunity to learn about a scientifically based system of wealth creation and accumulation, as well as effective approaches to achieving financial independence, which were actively modeled in interactive simulation exercises. The speaker paid special attention to the role of insurance companies as institutional guarantors of comprehensive financial protection in the face of market instability, which was also considered in the context of risk management in business simulations.

During the interactive training, participants were involved in discussions on optimizing methods of improving the performance of companies and directly applied the knowledge gained in virtual business environments. Active participation in the seminar and involvement in business simulations allowed the participants to gain practical experience in financial analysis, leadership, problem solving, and sound management decision-making, which are key competencies for future entrepreneurs.

On February 27, 2025, the sixth practical training was held in a mixed format, integrating lecture discussions and interactive business simulations, dedicated to the key topic “Innovations in Business: Digitalization and the Latest Technologies”. Oleg Shvets, Deputy Director of the First Independent Surveyor Company LLC, acted as an expert of the training, which ensured a combination of academic depth and practical experience in the industry.

During the training, a comprehensive analysis of theoretical and practical aspects of introducing innovations into business activities was carried out, with a special emphasis on:

- Conceptualization of digital transformation: The theoretical foundations and key vectors of digitalization of business processes as a strategic imperative in the modern economy are considered.

- Integration of the latest technologies: The potential and mechanisms for implementing advanced technological solutions, including artificial intelligence, big data analytics, cloud computing, and the Internet of Things (IoT), in the activities of enterprises of various sizes and industry specifics are analyzed.

Modeling innovation processes through business simulations: The use of interactive business simulations allowed participants to experiment with different strategies for implementing digital innovations, assess their impact on key business performance indicators, and develop decision-making skills in the face of technological uncertainty.

- Critical analysis of the factors of successful digital transformation: The key organizational, technological, and human factors that determine the effectiveness of digitalization processes and the introduction of the latest technologies in the business sector were identified.

The training aimed not only to expand the participants' theoretical knowledge of innovation and digital transformation, but also to provide them with practical tools and methodologies for the successful integration of the latest technologies into their own business activities, helping to increase their competitiveness and adaptability in a dynamic technological landscape.

On March 5, 2025, the seventh practical training on a topic of critical importance to business entities was held: “International Trade Negotiations and Contracting: A Roadmap for Business Owners”. The key expert of the training was Anton Kharaminsky, Export Sales and Marketing Manager at PrJSC “Ventilation Systems”, which ensured the integration of in-depth theoretical knowledge with direct practical experience of one of the leading Ukrainian exporters whose products are successfully represented in 123 international markets.

The training provided a comprehensive analysis of key aspects of international trade negotiations and the contracting process, including:

- Strategic planning of international negotiations: Scientifically based methodologies for preparation, goal setting, and development of multi-level negotiation strategies, taking into account intercultural specifics and geopolitical factors.

- Financial engineering of export operations: The author analyzes in detail the tools of financial support for international trade, including currency risks, payment mechanisms, trade finance instruments and their strategic application.

Legal basis of international contracting: The course covers the legal aspects of international trade contracts, their structure, key clauses, and dispute resolution mechanisms in international commercial law.

- Practical modeling of negotiation processes: Business simulations were used for interactive training, allowing participants to practice their skills in international trade negotiations, analyze the behavior of counterparties and make informed decisions in conditions as close as possible to real business situations.

- Analysis of successful cases and strategies: Based on the empirical experience of PrJSC Ventilation Systems, effective negotiation tactics, strategies for managing relations with foreign partners and methods for proactively resolving potential conflicts were explored.

The training combined theoretical presentations with interactive discussions and practical use of business simulations, which ensured deep learning and development of practical skills among project participants.

On March 6, 2025, the eighth practical training on the fundamental aspects of developing and implementing effective sales management strategies was held on the topic: “Systemic Sales Management Paradigm: Integrating Business Intelligence, Customer Experience Optimization and Digital Technologies to Maximize Commercial Efficiency”.

The training was aimed at providing participants with in-depth theoretical knowledge and developing practical skills in sales management based on a systematic approach. The event addressed the integration of advanced business intelligence tools for accurate demand forecasting, target audience segmentation and pricing optimization. In addition, the event explored the effective use of digital technologies, including CRM systems, marketing automation platforms and e-commerce tools, to optimize business processes, increase sales force productivity and improve customer service.

The key feature of the training was the active use of business simulations, which allowed participants to apply theoretical knowledge in practice in a simulated environment, experiment with various sales management strategies, analyze their impact on key commercial indicators and develop skills in making informed management decisions in a dynamic market environment. The use of business simulations contributed to the deep learning of the material and the formation of practical competencies necessary for successful professional activity in the field of sales management.

A series of eight intensive practical trainings within the framework of the international ERASMUS+ project VEHUB4YOU attracted more than 1800 participants and demonstrated the significant effectiveness of integrating business simulations as an innovative pedagogical methodology for developing key entrepreneurial competencies in students and young entrepreneurs from Ukraine and Azerbaijan.

The systematic use of business simulations ensured not only the transfer of theoretical knowledge but also its direct application in simulated business scenarios that are as close to reality as possible. This contributed to the development of practical skills in strategic decision-making, effective teamwork, leadership, strategic planning, and the ability to conduct comprehensive risk analysis and management.

Of value was the involvement of highly qualified practitioners from various business areas in the training, which ensured the integration of academic depth with relevant industry experience.

The results of the series of trainings convincingly demonstrate the significant potential of business simulations as an effective methodology for optimizing entrepreneurial education, training competitive specialists and stimulating the development of innovative startup initiatives in the region.

This cycle of training activities will culminate in the development of comprehensive business cases by the project participants, which will be presented and defended at the International Debate Day. This event, scheduled for April 29, 2025, will be held in a mixed format at the Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design.

07.04.2025