Fostering Leadership through Tennis: Embracing New Rules and Competitive Play
This past month, Friends of Bata, in partnership with Aubonne Tennis Club, proudly sponsored a vibrant tennis tournament in Switzerland, showcasing leadership, sportsmanship, and healthy competition among the next generation. The event welcomed over 130 young athletes aged 8 to 16 across three exciting tournament periods this summer, with the latest held on the weekend of August 31st.
The highlight of the tournament was a high-level final between two exceptional players in the 12-14 year age category—one of whom recently defeated the reigning Swiss champion. The tournament featured an innovative match format with shorter sets and allowed coaching to provide much-needed support to these young competitors, embodying the essence of our mission to foster leadership in challenging environments.
Friends of Bata’s mission to empower young entrepreneurs and leaders came alive on the tennis courts as students were encouraged to develop resilience, teamwork, and perseverance. Every participant received a Friends of Bata cap, while winners and finalists were awarded trophies and vouchers from local sports sponsors. The level of talent was remarkable, and the winners have already promised to return next year to defend their titles.
This event represents more than just athletic competition—it’s a stepping stone for young talents to thrive in both sports and future leadership roles. We are thrilled to continue supporting these young athletes and helping them develop the tools they need for success on and off the court.
Embarking on the path of entrepreneurship can be daunting, fraught with obstacles and uncertainties.
However, the journey of Adrian Escabias, as detailed in our latest Friends of Bata case study, offers invaluable insights and practical lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs. Here's why young entrepreneurs should delve into Adrian's story of ups and downs, and the strategies employed to successfully launch Aticco Ventures:
Resilience in the Face of Adversity: Adrian's transition from the corporate world to entrepreneurship showcases the importance of resilience. He faced significant setbacks, including the collapse of his startup Subbo and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Escamu. His ability to bounce back and continue innovating is a powerful lesson for any entrepreneur.
Learning from failure: The case study highlights how Adrian turned failures into learning opportunities. For example, the legal issues and partner conflicts he faced in Subbo underscore the necessity of solid legal agreements and the importance of having experienced advisors.
Importance of Intellectual Property: Protecting intellectual property is crucial, as illustrated by the challenges Adrian faced with his CTO at Subbo. Ensuring proper legal safeguards can prevent devastating losses and help maintain the integrity of your business.
Securing Funding: Adrian's experiences reveal the complexities of startup funding. From relying on personal finances and bank loans to establishing community-based pledge funds, his journey underscores the need for creative and strategic approaches to secure capital.
Building a Supportive Community: Aticco Ventures is a testament to the power of community-driven innovation. By fostering a network of experienced entrepreneurs and investors, Adrian has created an environment where startups can thrive through mentorship, collaboration, and shared resources.
Networking and Relationship Building: The value of strong professional networks is a recurring theme in Adrian's story. Regular networking events and workshops at Aticco Ventures help entrepreneurs build essential connections that can lead to new opportunities and collaborations.
For aspiring entrepreneurs, Adrian Escabias's journey provides a realistic and inspiring look at the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. It offers practical lessons on resilience, the importance of solid legal foundations, creative funding solutions, and the power of community. By learning from Adrian's experiences, entrepreneurs can better navigate their own paths and avoid common pitfalls.
Click here to download the case study and find our all details about his challenges and journey!
