Success stories

New entrepreneur:
Niko Bucalo (Croatia)
Age: 27
www.textiloop.com (Start-up)
Sector of activity: Clothing, footwear, leather and textile, luggage articles and accessories

Host entrepreneur:
Elena Ferrero (Italy)
Age: 32
Company website (6 years of experience)
Sector of activity: Clothing, footwear, leather and textile, luggage articles and accessories

The Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs exchange provided a unique opportunity for the new entrepreneur, Niko, to collaborate with Elena, an experienced host entrepreneur in Italy. The aim was to enhance business skills, refine the operational model of Niko’s circular economy startup, and gain direct insight into sustainable fashion ecosystems. Over the course of the exchange, Niko worked on strategic planning, internationalization, and the development of digital infrastructure to support circular practices in the textile sector. The experience enabled valuable knowledge transfer, deepened Niko’s understanding of EU market dynamics, and helped build a long-term transnational business relationship with the host company.


 During the exchange, they first became acquainted with Elena’s organizational tools and workflows. They then jointly analyzed their respective technologies, identified points of intersection, and explored shared business models and revenue streams. They participated in events focused on raising awareness about sustainable textile practices, training fashion students on circular technologies, and engaging with stakeholders. With Elena’s guidance, they created a landing page, a LinkedIn profile, and a business presentation. Together, they co-developed a strategy for early adopter acquisition and began planning the integration of their technologies into a unified circularity service. They also exchanged contacts, identified aligned stakeholders, and explored joint funding and investment opportunities to scale their impact.

The exchange provided tangible benefits for both parties. Niko significantly improved business communication, visibility, and strategic planning by developing a landing page, LinkedIn presence, and professional pitch. Exposure to Elena’s tools and workflows enhanced his operational skills, while the joint analysis of technologies and markets deepened their understanding of circular economy applications in fashion. Participation in public events and trainings expanded their network and industry knowledge. Together, they co-designed a joint service offering and aligned their business models for future integration. Both parties benefited from shared contacts, stronger positioning in the EU market, and the identification of funding opportunities to support long-term collaboration and innovation.

For more information, please contact the local contact points involved in the exchange:

New entrepreneur's contact point:
TERA Tehnopolis d.o.o. (Osijek, Croatia)

Host entrepreneur's contact point:
CAMERA DI COMMERCIO INDUSTRIA ARTIGIANATO AGRICOLTURA DI TORINO (Torino, Italy)

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