Four Days for Italy’s Top Students to Explore the Business Side of Tech

Who organizes first ascent?

Leading European tech company Bending Spoons organizes First Ascent Business. With more than 400 million app downloads, Bending Spoons is the creator of category-leading products like Splice and 30 Day Fitness. In both 2019 and 2020, the company was awarded the title of Italy’s Best Place to Work (50-149 employees) by the Great Place to Work Institute.

First Ascent Business is completely free—all expenses, including travel, accommodation, and activities, are covered by Bending Spoons.

Why participate in first ascent?

Network with like-minded people

At First Ascent Business, you’ll share experiences with other incredibly talented, passionate, and eager young people, broadening your knowledge-base, exchanging ideas, and forging lifelong relationships. After all, great business is all about curious people coming together and making remarkable things happen.

Test your abilities and reach new heights

Collaboration meets competition in a series of exciting challenges that connect the complexities of business and tech. Get a feel for how logic, teamwork, and business acumen make the difference in developing successful strategies.

Relevant, real-world insight

Quiz the Bending Spoons team until your heart’s content. Learn the real-world processes, challenges, and secrets of one of Europe’s biggest tech successes of recent times.

Discover an exciting city

Buzzing Barcelona is home to one of Europe’s most thriving startup scenes. There’s no better place to dive deep into the business side of tech.

All expenses paid

Travel, accommodation, food, drinks, and activities—Bending Spoons, organizer of First Ascent Business, is picking up the tab.

Eligibility requirements

Does this sound like you? If so, we can’t wait to receive your application:

You’re either an Italian who’s currently a university student, or a non-Italian currently studying at an Italian university

Or

You’re either an Italian who graduated from university after August 2020, or a non-Italian who graduated from an Italian university after August 2020.

You’re passionate about your business-related field of study and curious about the business side of the tech industry (development of digital products, digital marketing, data analysis, digital innovation, and so on).

You’ve got some experience or a relevant passion project that exemplifies your love of tech and/or business.

Event schedule