Calling Europe's most ambitious business-minded students and graduates

Milan

October 9-11, 2026

Applications close on July 5, 2026

What is First Ascent business?

First Ascent Business is a three-day event for Europe's most promising students and recent graduates who share a passion for business, technology, and taking on ambitious challenges.

Expect 12 hours of case-based strategy challenges, embedded in a weekend at Bending Spoons Milan HQ. It's an unmissable, all-expenses-paid opportunity to network, impress, and find out what you're capable of.

WHY FIRST ASCENT BUSINESS?

Test your abilities and reach new heights

Collaboration meets competition in a fast-paced strategy challenge that connects the complexities of business and tech. Get a feel for how logic, teamwork, and business acumen make the difference in developing successful strategies.

Network with the best

Team up with other incredibly talented young people. Forge lifelong friendships and share your passions with like-minded peers. After all, great business is all about curious people coming together and making remarkable things happen.

Step behind the scenes

Meet the people shaping Bending Spoons, get a closer look at their work, and discover what fuels strategic decisions at one of Europe’s leading tech companies.

A top prize for an impressive win

Enjoy an all-expenses-paid trip to Milan—travel, accommodation, food, drinks, and activities are covered by Bending Spoons. Plus, each member of the winning team will take home a brand-new MacBook to further sweeten their victory.

Apply now

Applications close on July 5, 2026

Why self-reject?

If you like the sound of the event and think you’ve got what it takes, don’t overthink it—apply! 💪

WHO ORGANIZES FIRST ASCENT BUSINESS?

First Ascent is organized and sponsored by Bending Spoons.

Bending Spoons acquires and transforms digital businesses. It owns AOL, Brightcove, Eventbrite, Evernote, komoot, Meetup, Remini, StreamYard, Vimeo, WeTransfer, and many others. The company’s products have served more than a billion people, with over 400 million monthly active users and 7 million paying customers, including many Fortune 500 enterprises.

At First Ascent Business, you’ll dive into real-world business challenges, see how strategy meets innovation, and connect with some of the brightest minds in your field.

Explore open positions at Bending Spoons.

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS?

Only the top thirty applicants make the cut.

We value an excellent academic record. Business acumen and an ambitious mindset will score you extra points.

Here’s what it takes to become an Ascender:

You’re a student at a European university or you graduated from one between 2024 and 2026
You’re ambitious, eager to test your limits, and ready to take on a tough challenge
You’re passionate about innovation in the digital space and curious about the business side of the tech industry

THE SELECTION PROCESS

The entire process takes place online, and we’ll announce the successful applicants by September 2026.

We’re committed to selecting Ascenders who are bright, passionate, and motivated. That’s why each step is carefully crafted to ensure your talent has the opportunity to shine.

Screening based on CV, motivation, and academic record
Online logic-based and behavioral challenges
Online interview
First Ascent Business

“It was an amazing event, where I met extraordinary people and enjoyed every single minute of the experience.”

FIRST ASCENT PARTICIPANT

“The event has been a great chance to collaborate with talented, like-minded people, to solve tough challenges, but also to have fun together and to learn an incredible amount of things in such a short time.”

FIRST ASCENT PARTICIPANT

“The Ascenders were all brought together by a very rare and invaluable combination of traits: having incredibly remarkable stories and achievements under their belt, while at the same time being extremely humble, likeable, down to earth and overall eager to learn from each other.”

FIRST ASCENT PARTICIPANT