Starting your own business with your Bachelor’s thesis

Key Takeaways:

• Ibrahim Köse opened the Alpine Padel Club in Bürs. He had already come up with the idea for the business while studying at the FHV.
• The strategic foundation for his entrepreneurship was his bachelor’s thesis in industrial engineering.
• His studies at the FHV gave Ibrahim the tools he needed to turn his passion for sports into a viable business.

Amid an impressive mountain backdrop and two modern padel courts, there’s a buzz of activity. What inspires players here today began as the vision of a student with a passion for padel. For Ibrahim Köse, this place is more than just a sports facility. The Alpine Padel Club in Bürs is the realization of his idea, which took shape while he was still a student at the FHV.  

A sport with potential

His enthusiasm for padel was initially purely personal. But the more Ibrahim delved into Business and Management, Engineering and Technology, and Corporate Development, the clearer the potential of this still-young sport became to him. “As a passionate padel player, this sport fascinated me from the very first second. During my studies, I became increasingly aware that there was a real gap in the market for professional outdoor facilities in our region. I finally wanted to put the theoretical knowledge I’d gained in college into a concrete project of my own. My bachelor’s thesis was essentially the perfect strategic preparation for what stands in Bürs today.” He received support in bringing his idea to life from his family and his fiancée.

FHV provided the tools

The move toward self-employment brought numerous challenges, ranging from planning and financing to marketing. Ibrahim was able to draw on the knowledge he gained during his studies. “My degree in Engineering and Management was the perfect foundation. Whether it was project management, investment analysis, controlling, or marketing, I was able to apply the theory from my lectures directly in practice. FHV gave me the tools I needed to turn a passion for sports into a real, viable business.”

The fact that academic content at the FHV is closely linked to real-world issues proved to be a decisive advantage for him. His bachelor’s thesis not only provided the theoretical background but also served as the strategic foundation for his company.

Semester abroad in bali

Another milestone during his studies was the semester abroad in Bali. In addition to professional experiences, Harder gained, above all, personal insights.

“This semester had a profound personal impact on me. I was able to experience a completely new culture, made new friends, and learned new languages. It was an incredibly enriching experience that broadened my horizons.” The international experience made him more open to new perspectives. “A quality that is of great value to me as an entrepreneur.”

Just do it 

Looking back, the FHV graduate draws a thoroughly positive conclusion about his time as a student. He particularly appreciates the combination of theory and practice, as well as the supportive environment. “The FHV offers a very hands-on education and a family-like environment where you can thrive. The most important thing I’ve taken away is this insight: Theory is important, but the courage to simply put things into action is what ultimately determines success. So just do it!” After successfully completing his bachelor’s degree, he’s now looking ahead. His goal is to further develop Alpine Padel Bürs as a regular meeting place for sports enthusiasts in the region and to keep the community growing.

Would you also like to put your ideas into practice? Applications are still being accepted for some degree programs at FHV.

You can find all the information about degree programs and the application process at www.fhv.at/studium.