Crossing into Europe, Building Global Connections for a Sustainable Future

The 2025 GYEC brought participants to Croatia for the very first time. In Zagreb and beyond, students engaged in college courses, cultural immersion, enterprise visits, and the final global competition — marking a milestone as GYEC expanded onto the European stage.
2025 GYEC

Competition Highlights

Key dates and milestones across the competition
Opening & Orientation

The program began with arrivals in Zagreb, a city walking tour, an ice-breaking evening, and the official welcome dinner at Restaurant Pivana.

Entrepreneurship Courses & Discussions

Across multiple mornings, students attended structured entrepreneurship courses and group discussions, reviewing concepts and building project foundations.

Croatian Study & Cultural Exploration

Participants joined Croatian language and culture courses, and explored local history through visits to the Zagreb City Museum, the Museum of Broken Relationships, and the Tesla Museum.

Industry Visits

Students visited A1 Hrvatska, BYD, and other companies, gaining a close view of European technology and industry practices.

Outdoor Exploration

The cohort experienced Croatia’s natural beauty through a full-day trip to Krka National Park, blending cultural immersion with environmental awareness.

Embassy Visit & Networking

Teams visited the Embassy of China in Croatia, strengthening cross-cultural understanding and building global connections.

Final Preparation

The last days before the finals included course completion, project rehearsals, and submission of final pitch decks.

Grand Final & Closing

On July 26, teams presented their final pitches before a jury, followed by the award and closing ceremony. The program ended with networking, a celebratory dinner, and a movie night, before departure on July 27.

Student Outcomes

Competition results and university destinations.
University Destinations
Key Numbers