AtLAS is a pioneering entrepreneurship training for athletes. An innovative start-up course serves to enhance both the theoretical and practical competences of high-level athletes across Europe who are considering to found their own business; now or at a later stage of life. TWIN is delighted to counsel the strategic development of AtLAS which will run its first training in October 2021.
Athletes make great entrepreneurs
Skills cultivated on any playing field serve athletes beyond their sporting careers, also when it comes to entrepreneurship. AtLAS supports athletes in pursuing their business ambitions. The training approach will offer athletes a most flexible and hands-on study approach to learn new skills and advance their careers.
AtLAS aims to strengthen athletes’ knowledge about starting and running a business, foster entrepreneurial spirit among European athletes and sport governing bodies, connect spheres of higher education and sport to foster dual career pathways of athletes, and, increase the number of well-prepared company creations.
The consortium
AtLAS represents a joint venture of academics in the field of sport and entrepreneurship and dual career practitioners, uniting the following international institutions:
- University of Applied Sciences Joanneum (project leader)
- Aarhus University
- Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences
- Edinburgh Napier University
- National OIympic Committee Slovenia
- University of Turin
- World University Service (each project partner)
- TW1N (project consultant)
Compact, flexible, free of charge
Just as in sport, AtLAS focuses on what is essential to success. Athletes will be provided with the most innovative methods in entrepreneurship. The blended learning concept will consist of obligatory online and optional on-site training. The virtual modules are delivered via a 5-weeks MOOC (massive open online course), freely accessible for athletes across Europe and beyond. The optional on-site courses are held at 6 selected European universities in Austria, Denmark, Italy, The Netherlands, Scotland and Slovenia.
Moreover, an accompanying mentoring programme in cooperation with European business experts will support the participants in further shaping their business ideas. The final AtLAS pitching event in Amsterdam will give an extraordinary stage to the most thrilling business ideas of European athletes.
Graduates of AtLAS will be awarded an EQF 4 certificate. Funded by the European Union, the training is free of charge. The full programme is available to athletes recognized by a sport-governing body, or another accredited body, as competing at minimum national level.
If you are an athlete interested in joining AtLAS, please get in touch with us to register as an early bird.
