Innovations from waste: students co-create sustainable business models for Intervela
In collaboration with the company Intervela, students developed innovative solutions for the challenge of reusing and recycling waste materials from cruising sailboat sails. They successfully presented their prototypes and business models at an event that brought together entrepreneurial knowledge, sustainable approaches, and hands-on experience.
Students Borut Fajs, Meta Švagelj, Katarina Šušteršič, Matej Metelko, and Nika Miklič presented their solutions, prototypes, and business models at the final event of the Entrepreneurial knowledge for growth project as part of Problem-based student learning in the work environment on July 25, 2025. Their work was mostly guided by workplace mentor Željko Perović, CEO of Intervela, and academic mentor Prof. Dr. Boštjan Antončič. The event was also attended by Prof. Dr. Aleš Vahčič, Professor Emeritus of the University of Ljubljana and founding head of the Entrepreneurship Unit at the School of Economics and Business, further underscoring the significance of the occasion.
The students, working with Intervela – a company specialized in manufacturing sails for sailboats – tackled a current sustainability challenge: how to effectively repurpose used and discarded materials from the production of cruising sails, especially those not currently included in existing recycling streams. Applying design thinking and business modeling methods, they developed concrete solutions aligned with the principles of the circular economy and reducing environmental impact.
The proposed solutions were practical, innovative, and focused on the sustainable growth of the company, emphasizing the creation of added value from already-used materials. The students also created prototypes to demonstrate the feasibility of their ideas and designed business models offering clear implementation strategies. Their presentation was rich in content, professionally executed, and well-structured, demonstrating that they acquired valuable entrepreneurial knowledge and skills during the project, skills they can carry forward in their professional careers. The project stands as an excellent example of connecting academic expertise with real-world business needs while promoting sustainable entrepreneurship.
https://www.onesails.com/lofts/slovenia/
