ESADE and the Prevent Foundation launch the first training programme for entrepreneurs with disabilities

An online law firm, a brand that creates designs based on riddles and traditional Spanish proverbs, a company that represents airlines and airport service providers, and a central purchasing agency for restaurants that serve 50 to 200 meals per day. These are just a few of the 18 projects selected to participate in the first edition of "Entrepreneurship Class: Learning and Doing", organised by ESADE and the Prevent Foundation. The programme will run from June to November, with an average of one class session per week.

Unveiled in early May, "Entrepreneurship Class: Learning and Doing" targets entrepreneurs with disabilities who wish to start a business or accelerate an existing enterprise. The programme provides rigorous training and matches participants to individual tutors. Throughout the process, the participants are guided by a group of mentors specialised in different areas. The programme will also donate €30,000 in economic aid to the various projects.

Corporate volunteering

"Entrepreneurship Class: Learning and Doing" received Banco Popular’s award for the best initiative for people with disabilities. The programme is free for participants thanks to funding provided by the Prevent Foundation and the generous collaboration of various private enterprises, including Cuatrecasas, Gonçalves-Pereira; URIACH; FCC; DKV; Serunión; OTP and Prevencontrol. The programme is also advised by an honorary committee composed of the following individuals: Felip Puig, Catalan Minister of Economy and Employment; Eugenia Bieto, Director General of ESADE; Antoni Llorens, Chair of the Prevent Foundation; Luís Cayo Pérez Bueno, Chair of the Spanish Committee of Representatives of People with Disabilities; Xavier Grau, Regional Representative of ONCE in Catalonia; Josep Santa Creu, CEO of DKV; Enrique López-Viguria, Institutional Secretary of ESADE; and journalist Manuel Campo Vidal.

Selected enterprises

The following are some of the projects chosen to take part in the programme:

- A model for online law firms.
- An office that sells insurance products face-to-face (broker network) or by telephone (call centre) and provides customer service for insurance providers and other companies that wish to outsource this function.
- A company that represents airlines and airport service providers that do not have a base of operations at the Barcelona airport.
- A modern play centre with a unique set of resources and way of interacting with children.
- A central purchasing agency for restaurants that serve 50 to 200 meals per day.
- A brand that creates designs based on riddles and traditional proverbs.
- A sailboat/hotel for tourism and teambuilding.
- An online travel agency specialised in accessible tourism that caters to people with or without disabilities who wish to enjoy tourist destinations and services without physical, sensory or communication barriers.
- A company that supports importation and exportation.
- A model for training and raising awareness about occupational traffic accidents (including commuting accidents).