Changemaker Market Day: Young Entrepreneurs Make a Big Impact
- 22.06.2026
- Event Review
Students presented their self-developed products at market stalls in the atrium of FH Kufstein Tirol. Numerous visitors created a lively atmosphere and many happy young sellers.
Around 60 students from Kufstein-Sparchen Elementary School became young entrepreneurs at the Changemaker Market Day held in mid-June at FH Kufstein Tirol. With products they had developed themselves, lovingly designed market stalls, and plenty of enthusiasm, they showcased what they had worked on over the previous weeks.
On June 10, 2026, around 60 students from Kufstein-Sparchen Elementary School transformed into young entrepreneurs at the Changemaker Market Day. With self-developed products, carefully designed market stands, and great enthusiasm, they presented the results of their weeks of work in the atrium of FH Kufstein Tirol.
As part of the project, the children worked on their own products - from the initial idea to design and production, all the way to presentation and sales. At the market day, they offered these products independently and gained their first hands-on experience with entrepreneurial thinking, teamwork, and responsibility.
Entrepreneurship Across Generations: Schools, Students, and Businesses
The participating classes from Kufstein-Sparchen Elementary School were accompanied by teachers Isabella Moser (3a), Sabrina Elazazy-Prodinger (3b), and Christina Sojer (3c), who helped provide pedagogical guidance and structure throughout the project.
The project shows how children build self-confidence through hands-on experience and discover that their own ideas can make an impact.
Claudia De Vincenzi
Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation
A special focus was placed on learning through practical insights, which is why the project worked closely with regional partners. At Sparkasse Kufstein, the children received basic input on handling money and financial topics, while at the Makers Lab at FH Kufstein Tirol, they were able to explore and strengthen their creative and technical skills. A tour of MPREIS Kufstein also offered exciting insights into the operations of a regional company, and TMEN Installationen supported the initiative, helping make the Changemaker Market Day especially hands-on and practice-oriented.
The event also gained additional visibility through its collaboration with HLW Kufstein under the direction of Sandra Steindl. Students from HLW Kufstein produced three podcasts about the Changemaker Market Day, documenting the project for a wider audience.
Students from Kufstein-Sparchen Elementary School, teachers, institute staff, dedicated students, and regional partners made the Changemaker Market Day possible.
Another important contribution came from dedicated students in the Leadership & Business Management program at FH Kufstein Tirol - Zoe Ebbrecht, Emma Gatterer, Fabia Giacomuzzi, Leonhard Groß, Fiona Herzel, and Kilian Pföß - who volunteered alongside their studies and actively supported the children in both preparing for and running the event. “What is especially impressive is the commitment of our students, who helped shape the Changemaker Market Day voluntarily alongside their studies. The project shows how children can build self-confidence through hands-on experience and see that their own ideas can have an impact,” says Claudia De Vincenzi from the Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at FH Kufstein Tirol.
A Regional Network for Early Entrepreneurship
The Changemaker Market Day demonstrates how entrepreneurial thinking, creativity, and personal responsibility can be encouraged as early as elementary school. The children learned how to develop their own products, make decisions as a team, and take responsibility for their project.
The event was created in close cooperation with IFTE (Initiative for Teaching Entrepreneurship) and WU Vienna University of Economics and Business, as well as with regional partners and dedicated supporters, once again underscoring the importance of practice-oriented education and regional networking. This strong network was further complemented by Innovationsraum Kufstein and the Wirtschaftskammer Kufstein, both of which served as important sources of inspiration and further strengthened the regional connection.
Links:
- Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation | FH Kufstein Tirol
- General Management MBA Focus Leadership | FH Kufstein Tirol
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