Anglo-American University in Prague AAU Business Students Win JA Czech Competition for the 4th Time
AAU business students won the Junior Achievement (JA) Czech national startup competition for the 4th consecutive year, distinguishing AAU as a competitive school that inspires and promotes innovation. Competing in the university division, two student-led startups, SOLACE and FARM FORGED, secured awards in multiple categories.
JA StartUp offers students the opportunity to compete in two categories: Brand-focused graphic design as well as systematic business planning. A panel of experts from marketing agencies and investment specialists evaluated all the entries at a national level with the top three teams in each category receiving awards.
“This is an incredible achievement and really speaks to the entrepreneurial quality of the students we have. I think some people have this idea of entrepreneurship being something you do alone in a garage, but at AAU, it’s about doing it together with a creative and supportive community. It’s really about that exchange and learning from each other,” said Heinrich Homola, AAU’s Senior Lecturer, Entrepreneurship and Innovation program, School of Business.
“We always say that investors aren’t just buying a product; they’re buying into you, your team, and your unique story. That’s why we at AAU try to support that spirit however we can, whether it’s through mentoring, our courses, or even beyond the university,” concluded Homola.
SOLACE won first in Top Project and Top Brand while FARM FORGED won third in Top Project. Team SOLACE will now represent Czechia at the JA European finals in Riga this July. AAU congratulates these teams for their remarkable achievements!
“Last year, I suggested that our third consecutive victory at the JA Czech Start-Up Competition was a ‘hattrick’ and a testament to the guidance we provide at Anglo-American University, Prague. Now, with a fourth consecutive national title, I think it is safe to say we have moved past ‘coincidence’ and firmly into the territory of a ‘tradition of excellence,’” said the Dean of the School of Business, Jiří Schwarz.
Team Farm Forged is composed of students Jake Wojahn & “free movers” from last semester Nathan Polston, Sophia Fritz, and Kourtney Kloos.
Solace—led by students Shania, Neha, Liza, and Abigail—truly embodies the AAU mission. It is a community-driven safety app designed to provide safer routes and real-time support for women and the queer community in Prague. The team took a complex social challenge and addressed it with analytical depth, creativity, and a drive for responsible action.
“We’re incredibly proud to represent Solace on the European level, and this project reflects the creativity, teamwork, and entrepreneurial spirit that we have developed through our time at AAU,” said Team member Liza Potts.
“Creating an App which crowdsources the LGBTQ community within geographies to provide safe guidance when moving through unknown neighborhoods is a simple idea with huge value for its target audience as well as huge market potential,” said AAU Business Lecturer Jeff Medeiros.
These victories demonstrate the value of project-based, experiential learning at AAU. If you are an aspiring entrepreneur who wishes to develop a project and join this competition under the guidance of our instructors, find more information about the Entrepreneurship and Innovation concentration and apply today.
Read more about AAU’s participation in the JA Czech and JA Europe competitions: