Sections
The Danube Cup 2023 is an interactive conference for professionals representing universities, corporations and start-ups coming together to share their knowledge and tools for facilitating entrepreneurship. Acceptable topics are all from the entire range of entrepreneurship education research, with proposed sections of:
1. Entrepreneurship Education- Reasons (the “WHY”): Motivation behind entrepreneurship education at HEIs, the WHYs: motivating, inspiring, and making students become professional entrepreneurs or co-entrepreneurs, or entrepreneurship supporters in the entrepreneurship ecosystem, and increasing the number of spinoffs etc. Top-down analysis of global, regional, local, individual needs and challenges is also welcome.
Moderator: Dr. Rudolf Dömötör
WU Vienna University of Economics and Business
Moderator: Dr. Rudolf Dömötör
WU Vienna University of Economics and Business
Dr. Rudolf Dömötör is Director of the WU Vienna Entrepreneurship Center and the ECN (Entrepreneurship Center Network), a joint initiative of 29 Austrian universities to promote interdisciplinary entrepreneurship among students and faculty. He is co-founder of Entrepreneurship Avenue, the largest entrepreneurship event series in Europe with a focus on students, and co-author of the Austrian Startup Monitor, Austria’s largest annual startup study. He has been active in the Austrian start-up ecosystem for many years and has been a member of the Startup Council of the Federal Ministry of Labor and Economic Affairs since summer 2022. He studied business administration at the Vienna University of Economics and Business and the University of Technology Sydney and completed research stays lasting several months at George Washington University (USA) and the University of Canterbury (New Zealand).
Dr. Rudolf Dömötör is Director of the WU Vienna Entrepreneurship Center and the ECN (Entrepreneurship Center Network), a joint initiative of 29 Austrian universities to promote interdisciplinary entrepreneurship among students and faculty. He is co-founder of Entrepreneurship Avenue, the largest entrepreneurship event series in Europe with a focus on students, and co-author of the Austrian Startup Monitor, Austria’s largest annual startup study. He has been active in the Austrian start-up ecosystem for many years and has been a member of the Startup Council of the Federal Ministry of Labor and Economic Affairs since summer 2022. He studied business administration at the Vienna University of Economics and Business and the University of Technology Sydney and completed research stays lasting several months at George Washington University (USA) and the University of Canterbury (New Zealand).
Co-Moderator: Milan Okanović
Assistant Professor, University of Belgrade – Faculty of Organizational Sciences
Co-Moderator: Milan Okanović
Assistant Professor, University of Belgrade – Faculty of Organizational Sciences
Milan Okanović PhD is an assistant professor at the Faculty of Organizational Sciences. His doctoral thesis delves into the crucial role of marketing orientation in the development of technology startups. His research portfolio covers diverse areas, including the application of marketing principles in entrepreneurship, innovation and startup development, as well as corporate and digital communications. Milan has authored over thirty papers published in both national and international scientific journals and conferences. He is a co-author of the casebook “Startups in Focus – Lessons from the Domestic Startup Ecosystem.” Beyond his academic pursuits, Milan is a co-founder of a startup company dedicated to enhancing the virtual user experience on mobile devices through cutting-edge technology. He is also a member of the marketing and communications team in the technology company specializing in software solutions for testing processes. His commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and innovation extends to his role as a certified mentor for startups in their initial developmental stages. Milan also played an important role as a member of the Council during the establishment and development of the FOS Research and Development Center. In 2023, Milan Okanović was elected as the President of the Assembly of the Belgrade Science and Technology Park.
Milan Okanović PhD is an assistant professor at the Faculty of Organizational Sciences. His doctoral thesis delves into the crucial role of marketing orientation in the development of technology startups. His research portfolio covers diverse areas, including the application of marketing principles in entrepreneurship, innovation and startup development, as well as corporate and digital communications. Milan has authored over thirty papers published in both national and international scientific journals and conferences. He is a co-author of the casebook “Startups in Focus – Lessons from the Domestic Startup Ecosystem.” Beyond his academic pursuits, Milan is a co-founder of a startup company dedicated to enhancing the virtual user experience on mobile devices through cutting-edge technology. He is also a member of the marketing and communications team in the technology company specializing in software solutions for testing processes. His commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and innovation extends to his role as a certified mentor for startups in their initial developmental stages. Milan also played an important role as a member of the Council during the establishment and development of the FOS Research and Development Center. In 2023, Milan Okanović was elected as the President of the Assembly of the Belgrade Science and Technology Park.
2. Entrepreneurship Education- Content and Teaching Methods (the “HOW”): This focuses on teaching entrepreneurship at different levels with different content: theory vs practice, about what vs how, traditional vs innovative ventures, etc. Should we prepare our students for different roles or functions or just give general entrepreneurship education? How should we teach entrepreneurship: learning from lectures, from case studies, from entrepreneurs inspirational talks, from action in creating new ventures, cooperating with and working for external businesses, from teamwork, using incubators, accelerators, or from part-time jobs in the start-up ecosystem? What are the accepted best practices to develop entrepreneurial ecosystem brokered by the universities? How can we develop self-sustainable platforms and nourish start-up creation in University incubators / accelerators? Which are the best content and methods to educate the educators?
Moderator: Dr. Vecsenyi János
Emeritus Professor at Corvinus University of Budapest
Moderator: Dr. Vecsenyi János
Emeritus Professor at Corvinus University of Budapest
Professor emer. Vecsenyi has taught at Corvinus University of Budapest since 1978 and at Budapest University of Technology and Economics since 2011. He is a graduate of Budapest University of Technology and Economics and holds a PhD from Corvinus University of Budapest. As a serial entrepreneurship educator, he designed and delivered eight entrepreneurship courses at bachelor, master’s, PhD, and MBA levels at three different higher education institutions over the past thirty years. Professor emer. Vecsenyi has published four books on entrepreneurship-related topics: Smart entrepreneurship – From idea to market entry (2017); Starting and managing new ventures (2009, 2011, 2013); Entrepreneurship – From idea to resumption (2002); Entrepreneurial organizations and strategies (1999). He has also developed an online start-up support tool, https://vallalkozasindito.hu/ , available in Hungarian and partly in English.
Professor emer. Vecsenyi has taught at Corvinus University of Budapest since 1978 and at Budapest University of Technology and Economics since 2011. He is a graduate of Budapest University of Technology and Economics and holds a PhD from Corvinus University of Budapest. As a serial entrepreneurship educator, he designed and delivered eight entrepreneurship courses at bachelor, master’s, PhD, and MBA levels at three different higher education institutions over the past thirty years. Professor emer. Vecsenyi has published four books on entrepreneurship-related topics: Smart entrepreneurship – From idea to market entry (2017); Starting and managing new ventures (2009, 2011, 2013); Entrepreneurship – From idea to resumption (2002); Entrepreneurial organizations and strategies (1999). He has also developed an online start-up support tool, https://vallalkozasindito.hu/ , available in Hungarian and partly in English.
Moderator: Andrea S. Gubik
Associate Professor at the Faculty of Economics, University of Miskolc, (Hungary)
Moderator: Andrea S. Gubik
Associate Professor at the Faculty of Economics, University of Miskolc, (Hungary)
Andrea S. Gubik is an Associate Professor at the University of Miskolc (Hungary). She holds a PhD in Management and Business Administration. She is a member of several scientific associations, among others, the Scientific Committee on Statistics and Futures Studies of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, a member of the editorial board of the International Entrepreneurship Review and the Messenger of ASUE. She has been awarded the Research Fellowship of the Laky Teréz Foundation, the Young Scientist Award of the Miskolc Regional Committee of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, the Budapest Business School Science Prize and the Excellent Researcher Award by the University of Miskolc. She deals with entrepreneurship, especially interested in the role of formal and informal institutional factors in the start-up decision. She is the Hungarian coordinator of the GUESSS (Global University Entrepreneurial Spirit Students‘ Survey) project.
Andrea S. Gubik is an Associate Professor at the University of Miskolc (Hungary). She holds a PhD in Management and Business Administration. She is a member of several scientific associations, among others, the Scientific Committee on Statistics and Futures Studies of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, a member of the editorial board of the International Entrepreneurship Review and the Messenger of ASUE. She has been awarded the Research Fellowship of the Laky Teréz Foundation, the Young Scientist Award of the Miskolc Regional Committee of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, the Budapest Business School Science Prize and the Excellent Researcher Award by the University of Miskolc. She deals with entrepreneurship, especially interested in the role of formal and informal institutional factors in the start-up decision. She is the Hungarian coordinator of the GUESSS (Global University Entrepreneurial Spirit Students‘ Survey) project.
Co-Moderator: Zoran Rakićević
Assistant Professor, University of Belgrade – Faculty of Organizational Sciences
Co-Moderator: Zoran Rakićević
Assistant Professor, University of Belgrade – Faculty of Organizational Sciences
Dr. Zoran Rakićević is an assistant professor at the Faculty of Organizational Sciences, University of Belgrade, within the Department of Production and Services Management. He earned his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Operations Research and Quantitative Management from the same university. Dr Rakićević academic portfolio boasts the publication of more than ten peer-reviewed scientific papers in renowned international journals, alongside thirty contributions to the proceedings of international conferences. He assumed the role of head of the Centre for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises and Entrepreneurship at the Faculty of Organizational Sciences. His academic pursuits revolve around the domains of Entrepreneurship, Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) Management, and Production and Service Planning. Dr. Rakićević is known for his unwavering commitment to mentoring and guiding students in the nurturing of their entrepreneurial ideas and team projects. From a personal standpoint, he strongly advocates the socially responsible behaviour of individuals and organizations. Dr Zoran Rakićević has been a multiple-time jury member for the selection of the most innovative ideas in the field of social entrepreneurship, notably in the Social Impact Award Program.
Dr. Zoran Rakićević is an assistant professor at the Faculty of Organizational Sciences, University of Belgrade, within the Department of Production and Services Management. He earned his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Operations Research and Quantitative Management from the same university. Dr Rakićević academic portfolio boasts the publication of more than ten peer-reviewed scientific papers in renowned international journals, alongside thirty contributions to the proceedings of international conferences. He assumed the role of head of the Centre for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises and Entrepreneurship at the Faculty of Organizational Sciences. His academic pursuits revolve around the domains of Entrepreneurship, Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) Management, and Production and Service Planning. Dr. Rakićević is known for his unwavering commitment to mentoring and guiding students in the nurturing of their entrepreneurial ideas and team projects. From a personal standpoint, he strongly advocates the socially responsible behaviour of individuals and organizations. Dr Zoran Rakićević has been a multiple-time jury member for the selection of the most innovative ideas in the field of social entrepreneurship, notably in the Social Impact Award Program.
3. Entrepreneurship Education- Impact: Analysis should be used to gain a deeper understanding of the impact of entrepreneurship education in the motivation and professionalism of the new generation, to learn how much our students utilize entrepreneurship education and what they have missed. Such research should primarily fill a research gap on the performance of entrepreneurship education. Longitudinal research is especially welcome, but also a multiple case-study approach based on feedback of how much previous students have utilized knowledge from their studies. Papers on approaches to expert support may be used, focusing on how for example start-up law clinics, accountancy, sales and product management experience may provids good impact.
Moderator: Thomas Stecher
Research Assistant, University of Passau, Faculty of Law, Chair for Public Law, Media and Information Law of Prof. Dr. Kai von Lewinski
Moderator: Thomas Stecher
Research Assistant, University of Passau, Faculty of Law, Chair for Public Law, Media and Information Law of Prof. Dr. Kai von Lewinski
Thomas Stecher studied law in Munich, Regensburg and Athens and graduated in 2019. During his studies, he gained experience in competition law, copyright law and corporate law et al. by working in various law firms and at different chairs. In 2021 he passed the Second State Examination at the OLG Munich after working for Deutsche Bahn AG, among others. Since 2022, he is a research assistant and doctoral candidate at the Chair for Public Law, Media and Information Law of Prof. Dr. Kai von Lewinski at the University of Passau. In this context, he supervises the Startup Law Clinic, in which students advise startups on legal issues. In addition, he forms the Legal Hub within the framework of PATEC, the Startup Program at the Passau University, and gives lectures in the Lower Bavaria Startup Network.
Thomas Stecher studied law in Munich, Regensburg and Athens and graduated in 2019. During his studies, he gained experience in competition law, copyright law and corporate law et al. by working in various law firms and at different chairs. In 2021 he passed the Second State Examination at the OLG Munich after working for Deutsche Bahn AG, among others. Since 2022, he is a research assistant and doctoral candidate at the Chair for Public Law, Media and Information Law of Prof. Dr. Kai von Lewinski at the University of Passau. In this context, he supervises the Startup Law Clinic, in which students advise startups on legal issues. In addition, he forms the Legal Hub within the framework of PATEC, the Startup Program at the Passau University, and gives lectures in the Lower Bavaria Startup Network.
Co-Moderator: Radul Milutinović
Assistant Professor, University of Belgrade – Faculty of Organizational Sciences
Co-Moderator: Radul Milutinović
Assistant Professor, University of Belgrade – Faculty of Organizational Sciences
Radul Milutinović is an assistant professor at the University of Belgrade – Faculty of Organizational Sciences, Serbia. He holds a PhD degree in the field of Information Systems and Management. So far, he has published over 50 articles in international and national monographs, journals and conference proceedings. He takes an active role as a mentor to student teams (1) in the development of their startup ideas and (2) in projects initiated by the faculty’s R&D center in collaboration with industry practitioners. Currently, he is engaged as a team member in two projects within crucial domains of innovation and entrepreneurship. Radul is a member of the EurOMA. The fields of his interest include operations management, innovation management, innovation projects, intellectual property, new product development, open innovation platforms, idea management systems, product-service systems, etc.
Radul Milutinović is an assistant professor at the University of Belgrade – Faculty of Organizational Sciences, Serbia. He holds a PhD degree in the field of Information Systems and Management. So far, he has published over 50 articles in international and national monographs, journals and conference proceedings. He takes an active role as a mentor to student teams (1) in the development of their startup ideas and (2) in projects initiated by the faculty’s R&D center in collaboration with industry practitioners. Currently, he is engaged as a team member in two projects within crucial domains of innovation and entrepreneurship. Radul is a member of the EurOMA. The fields of his interest include operations management, innovation management, innovation projects, intellectual property, new product development, open innovation platforms, idea management systems, product-service systems, etc.
4. Entrepreneurship in Practice – Effect of COVID-19 on Entrepreneurship: The global pandemic caused by the SARS-COV2 coronavirus in 2020 has led to general uncertainty in society and the economy. States have implemented various economic stimulus programmes to keep businesses up and running. COVID-19 affected businesses in a number of areas, which researchers can examine from several perspectives. In this session, we invite papers on the impact of COVID-19 on enterprises.
Moderator: Erika Jákie
Associate Professor, Budapest Business School, Faculty of Finance and Accountancy, Department of Finance.
Moderator: Erika Jáki, Associate Professor Budapest Business School, Faculty of Finance and Accountancy, Department of Finance.
Erika Jáki graduated in 2001 with a degree in Finance and a CEMS degree in 2002 and obtained his PhD in 2013 and her habilitation in 2022 at the Corvinus University of Budapest. She developed two courses, Corporate Financial Planning and Risk Capital Financing. She is a full-time lecturer-researcher at the Budapest Business School from 2022. Since 2013, she has been working as an internal auditor for several investment companies and incorporating her experience into the teaching materials. She has published seven academic books and numerous academic articles in Hungarian and English. As a research leader, she has been involved in several projects, the results of which are regularly presented at international conferences. Moreover, she has been the organiser of several international conferences. She has one graduated PhD student and one in the publication phase.
Erika Jáki graduated in 2001 with a degree in Finance and a CEMS degree in 2002 and obtained his PhD in 2013 and her habilitation in 2022 at the Corvinus University of Budapest. She developed two courses, Corporate Financial Planning and Risk Capital Financing. She is a full-time lecturer-researcher at the Budapest Business School from 2022. Since 2013, she has been working as an internal auditor for several investment companies and incorporating her experience into the teaching materials. She has published seven academic books and numerous academic articles in Hungarian and English. As a research leader, she has been involved in several projects, the results of which are regularly presented at international conferences. Moreover, she has been the organiser of several international conferences. She has one graduated PhD student and one in the publication phase.
Moderator: Ivan Luković
Full Professor, University of Belgrade – Faculty of Organizational Sciences
Moderator: Ivan Luković
Full Professor, University of Belgrade – Faculty of Organizational Sciences
Ivan Luković received his diploma degree (5 years) in Informatics from the Faculty of Military and Technical Sciences in Zagreb in 1990. He completed his M.Sc. (former Mr, 2 years) degree at the University of Belgrade, School of Electrical Engineering in 1993, and his Ph.D. at the University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Technical Sciences in 1996. Currently, he works as a Full Professor at the Faculty of Organizational Sciences of the University of Belgrade, where he lectures in several Computer Science and Informatics courses. His research interests are related to Database Systems, Business Intelligence Systems, and Software Engineering. Currently, he is a chair of Managing Board of the Computer Science and Information Systems (ComSIS) journal, and a chair of M.Sc. study program in Information Engineering at Faculty of Organizational Sciences.
Ivan Luković received his diploma degree (5 years) in Informatics from the Faculty of Military and Technical Sciences in Zagreb in 1990. He completed his M.Sc. (former Mr, 2 years) degree at the University of Belgrade, School of Electrical Engineering in 1993, and his Ph.D. at the University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Technical Sciences in 1996. Currently, he works as a Full Professor at the Faculty of Organizational Sciences of the University of Belgrade, where he lectures in several Computer Science and Informatics courses. His research interests are related to Database Systems, Business Intelligence Systems, and Software Engineering. Currently, he is a chair of Managing Board of the Computer Science and Information Systems (ComSIS) journal, and a chair of M.Sc. study program in Information Engineering at Faculty of Organizational Sciences.
5. Entrepreneurship in Practice – General Topics: This section focuses on the important issues of entrepreneurship which cannot directly be categorized as the entrepreneurial education topics. Changes initiated by the COVID-19 pandemic are important, but only a part of the new research directions. Still there are many topics regarding discussion on the opportunities shift in the contemporary markets and societies, innovation, adaptability, risk, risk management, basic leadership and management skills, organizational patterns, business plans, business models and strategies, legal and regulatory framework. Also, constantly interesting topics cover interaction of entrepreneurial traits and the environment, which along with the necessary competencies describe the basic outline of the entrepreneurship education goals and tasks.
Moderator: Dr. Sean Patrick Sassmannshausen
Professor for Business Administration and Entrepreneurship at OTH Regensburg (Technical University o.A.S. Regensburg)
Moderator: Dr. Sean Patric Sassmannshausen
Proffesor for Business Administration and Entrepreneurship at OTH Regensburg (Technical University o.A.S. Regensburg)
Dr. Sean Patrick Sassmannshausen is Professor for Business Administration and Entrepreneurship and Head of the Startup Center at OTH Regensburg, Germany. His responsibilities include entrepreneurship research and development projects with nine entrepreneurship projects under management until December 2021. These include all levels of grants, ranging from European, to national (federal) German and Bavarian state level funding. His teaching focuses on acquisition of future research funding, start-up support and fostering of academic spin-offs. He is also a visiting professor at Aarhus University (Denmark), RISEBA University (Riga, Latvia), Technical University Vienna and Danube University Krems (Austria). Following receipt of his doctorate he became Interim-Professor for Business Administration, Management of SMEs and Entrepreneurship at the University of Siegen, Germany and Managing Director of the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Research Institute “IGIF” at the Schumpeter School of Business and Economics, University of Wuppertal, Germany. He was born in Wexford, Ireland and studied Intercultural Management and Evolutionary Economics at the Friedrich Schiller University and the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Economics in Jena, Germany, as well as Scandinavian Area Studies in Odense, Denmark. He earned his Doctorate in Entrepreneurship, Business and Economics at Schumpeter School, University of Wuppertal, Germany.
Dr. Sean Patrick Sassmannshausen is Professor for Business Administration and Entrepreneurship and Head of the Startup Center at OTH Regensburg, Germany. His responsibilities include entrepreneurship research and development projects with nine entrepreneurship projects under management until December 2021. These include all levels of grants, ranging from European, to national (federal) German and Bavarian state level funding. His teaching focuses on acquisition of future research funding, start-up support and fostering of academic spin-offs. He is also a visiting professor at Aarhus University (Denmark), RISEBA University (Riga, Latvia), Technical University Vienna and Danube University Krems (Austria). Following receipt of his doctorate he became Interim-Professor for Business Administration, Management of SMEs and Entrepreneurship at the University of Siegen, Germany and Managing Director of the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Research Institute “IGIF” at the Schumpeter School of Business and Economics, University of Wuppertal, Germany. He was born in Wexford, Ireland and studied Intercultural Management and Evolutionary Economics at the Friedrich Schiller University and the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Economics in Jena, Germany, as well as Scandinavian Area Studies in Odense, Denmark. He earned his Doctorate in Entrepreneurship, Business and Economics at Schumpeter School, University of Wuppertal, Germany.
Co-Moderator: Ivan Todorović
University of Belgrade – Faculty of Organizational Sciences
Co-Moderator: Ivan Todorović
University of Belgrade – Faculty of Organizational Sciences
Ivan Todorović works at the University of Belgrade, Faculty of Organizational Sciences. His field of expertise includes organizational design, restructuring, management consulting, business model development and entrepreneurship. He has participated in more than 30 consulting projects in largest companies in Serbia and in numerous research projects financed by the Republic of Serbia or international institutions like EBRD, UNIDO and USAID. He is a co-author of more than 70 articles in international monographs, journals and conference proceedings and he is hired as a reviewer in several international scientific journals and conferences. He was a visiting lecturer at the University of Maribor, Faculty of Organizational Sciences, in Slovenia. In the field of entrepreneurship he has participated in two large projects: Youth/Women Employment and Entrepreneurship – Project of Serbia, conducted by UNIDO, and Venture an Idea project, lead by Initiative “Digital Serbia” in partnership with the Faculty of Organizational Sciences, University of Belgrade, Nova Iskra, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and SEE ICT, with the support of USAID. As a mentor he has supported several start-up companies, and his student teams have won prizes on international startup competitions. He also coaches academic mentors to work with student startups.
Ivan Todorović works at the University of Belgrade, Faculty of Organizational Sciences. His field of expertise includes organizational design, restructuring, management consulting, business model development and entrepreneurship. He has participated in more than 30 consulting projects in largest companies in Serbia and in numerous research projects financed by the Republic of Serbia or international institutions like EBRD, UNIDO and USAID. He is a co-author of more than 70 articles in international monographs, journals and conference proceedings and he is hired as a reviewer in several international scientific journals and conferences. He was a visiting lecturer at the University of Maribor, Faculty of Organizational Sciences, in Slovenia. In the field of entrepreneurship he has participated in two large projects: Youth/Women Employment and Entrepreneurship – Project of Serbia, conducted by UNIDO, and Venture an Idea project, lead by Initiative “Digital Serbia” in partnership with the Faculty of Organizational Sciences, University of Belgrade, Nova Iskra, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and SEE ICT, with the support of USAID. As a mentor he has supported several start-up companies, and his student teams have won prizes on international startup competitions. He also coaches academic mentors to work with student startups.