SEFI 2026 Results: 14 Years Of Impact In Numbers
Since 2012, the program has trained hundreds of engineering students at UPC so that they can turn ideas into viable businesses. As a result, the outcomes presented at SEFI 2026 speak for themselves:
The Methodology Presented At SEFI 2026
Specifically, the program combines design thinking, challenge-based learning (CBL) and rigorous feasibility analysis. First, participants start from a real problem, validate demand with customers, test the business model and build a plan they can take to investors and the market.
From SEFI 2026 To Business Growth
The same approach sits at the heart of CBA’s Growth & Scale Method. In practice, we use it with start-ups, SMEs and established companies to validate opportunities, sharpen their offer and build the marketing and sales engine that helps them scale. Moreover, it is the foundation of our Business Acceleration Program.
About The SEFI 2026 Presenters
Dr. Josep Bordonau is co-founder of EIT InnoEnergy, an initiative supported by the European Commission, and an Associate Professor at UPC. In addition, Mónica Mejli is the Managing Consultant at CBA, with 16+ years in business, innovation and marketing. Meet the team.
What Business Leaders Can Learn From SEFI 2026
Although the program was designed for engineering students, its lessons apply to any company that wants to grow. In fact, the same mistakes that stop a start-up also slow down established businesses: building before validating, guessing what customers want and launching without a clear plan.
For this reason, the research presented at SEFI 2026 points to three practical habits:
- Validate before you invest. First, confirm that customers have the problem and are willing to pay to solve it.
- Test fast and learn. Then, put simple prototypes or offers in front of real buyers and improve them with their feedback.
- Check feasibility early. Finally, review the market, technical and financial numbers before you scale, so that growth is profitable.
As a result, teams make better decisions with less risk. In other words, innovation becomes a repeatable process rather than a lucky guess. For this reason, CBA applies this methodology when it helps companies launch new products, enter new markets and increase their sales.
Frequently Asked Questions About SEFI 2026
What is SEFI 2026?
SEFI 2026 is the annual conference of the European Society for Engineering Education (SEFI), held in Prague, Czech Republic, in September 2026. Moreover, educators, researchers and industry experts meet there to share new approaches to engineering education, innovation and entrepreneurship.
What results has the innovation and entrepreneurship program achieved?
Since 2012, the program has trained 620 students in 30 editions at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC). In addition, participants have created 34 start-ups, received 14 international awards and earned 4 Forbes 30 Under 30 recognitions, and 95% of students rated the experience good or very good.
How does this methodology help businesses grow?
In fact, the same four steps, finding a real problem, designing and testing the solution, proving feasibility and launching to scale, are the backbone of how CBA works with companies. Therefore, through consulting and the Business Acceleration Program, CBA helps businesses validate new offers, enter new markets and grow their sales.
