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

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Barcelona or Milan (Depending on travel restrictions)

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May 27-30, 2021

Applications close on October 31

What is First Ascent?

First Ascent is an exclusive retreat for twenty of Italy’s most promising students who share a passion for business and technology.

Taking place over four days in beautiful Barcelona (or Milan, depending on travel restrictions), and with all expenses paid, this is an unmissable opportunity to learn, network, and impress:

  • Meet and measure up with other remarkable young talents

  • Get granular with relevant real-world business cases

  • Hone your collaboration skills with team challenges

  • Gain the insight of experienced tech pros from top app developer Bending Spoons

  • Discover the very latest digital trends

Who organizes first ascent?

Leading European app developer Bending Spoons organizes First Ascent.

Bending Spoons is the creator of products like 30 Day Fitness and Splice. In both 2019 and 2020, it was awarded the title of Italy’s best place to work (50-149 employees) by Great Place to Work Italia.

Why participate in first ascent?
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Network with like-minded people

At First Ascent, 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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All expenses paid

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

Applications close on October 31

Eligibility requirements

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

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You’re an Italian student or recent graduate, or a student or recent graduate at an Italian university, and you have an outstanding academic track record

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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)

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

The selection process

A thorough, multi-step selection process is in place to guarantee the exceptional level of all our Ascenders. From logic problems to business cases, each step has been designed to learn all about you and your capabilities:

Selection Process
Event schedule
27 May 2021

  • Arrive in Barcelona

  • Meet the other Ascenders

  • Dinner, drinks, networking

28 May 2021

  • Welcome to First Ascent!

  • Presentation and workshops

  • Explore Barcelona

  • Dinner, drinks, networking

29 May 2021

  • Team business challenges

  • Barcelona sightseeing

  • Dinner, drinks, networking

30 May 2021

  • First Ascent closing presentation

  • Goodbyes

Applications close on October 31