The ESAU Project in the degree in Business Management.

Resumen

Virtual Firms Applied to University (ESAU) presents a groundbreaking learning methodology in higher education, a project designed to reproduce real business settings in a risk-controlled environment. The Faculty of Economy and Business-Elcano, at the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) has developed a pioneering model, which can be used as a guide by other universities. Students participants in ESAU leave the conventional classroom and enter their own start-up company, running in an international market. Therefore, they not only learn, but also experience first-hand the reality of creating their own business and taking managing decisions in different areas. Students work together to develop and support their business model before potential investors, negotiate with otrhe companies, and present their financial statements to a Board of Directors. This way, ESAU aims at overcoming current limitations by bridging the gap between university and the professional world.