Nikolay Molchanov, the Strategy and Development Director of RWM Capital Investment Group and head of the Venture Fund RWM Capital Venture Investments, participated as a member of the jury in the finals of the All-Russian Championship in the Business Game "Iron Businessman". The event was organized by the Business Incubator of National Research University “Higher School of Economics" and Innovation Activity Department of National Research University “Higher School of Economics”.
More than 120 students and graduates of major higher schools of Moscow, St. Petersburg and Alma-Ata participated in the game. The event was conducted in the form of a 3-minute pitch-presentation which immersed the contestants into the real conditions of interaction of beginner businessmen with investors and venture funds. 23 projects qualified for the final stage of the championship. The projects prepared by the contestants were evaluated by the leading experts in venture investments and innovation startup projects.
“It is a pleasure and an honor to be a member of the jury at such an event and also, undoubtedly, very interesting, Nikolay Molchanov comments. - Higher School of Economics is one of the major higher schools which put efforts into work with their students, stimulate creation and development of the university chain of innovation, IT, research and information, consultant and other companies and business projects. The championship in the business game “Iron Businessman” became yet another bright and memorable event in their work with students and graduates.
The participants were immersed in the real conditions of interactions of the founders with investors and practically all contestants made typical mistakes. Importance of such events lies in the fact that it is educational to make mistakes in game even if close to reality situations. This will allow them to avoid mistakes in the future when they face the necessity to present their projects to investors.
I believe that the next time the hosts of the contest should suggest that the members of the jury sketch their own projects directly during the championship. Not only will it raise the authority of the jury in the eyes of the participants but this will also increase the efficiency of the event. It is always easy to criticize but it’s better to show an example as a benchmark and to explain how it was supposed to be done and what issues to pay close attention to."
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