12 hours of team challenges, embedded in a weekend at the Bending Spoons Milan HQ for Europe’s most ambitious business-minded students and graduates

Milan

October 10-12, 2025

What is First Ascent business?

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

It’s an unmissable, all-expenses-paid opportunity to network, impress, and find out what you’re capable of.

WHY PARTICIPATE IN FIRST ASCENT BUSINESS?

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.

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.

“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

Why self-reject?

If you like the sound of the event and think you might be good at it, go ahead and apply! 💪

WHO ORGANIZES FIRST ASCENT BUSINESS?

First Ascent is organized and sponsored by Bending Spoons.

Since its founding in 2013, Bending Spoons has served over a billion people across the globe through its suite of digital technology products, including Brightcove, Evernote, Meetup, Remini, StreamYard, and WeTransfer.

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 2023 and 2025
  • 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 2025.

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

Why self-reject?

If you like the sound of the event and think you might be good at it, go ahead and apply! 💪