Problem and Solution – Workshop led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cătălina Crișan as part of the i-Lab incubation program (29.10.2025)

On October 29, 2025, the i-Lab community continued its series of workshops dedicated to developing young entrepreneurs with Module 2: Problem and Solution, held in Room 120 from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. The session was part of the “From Idea to Prototype” module and provided participants with a practical perspective on how accurately identifying a problem and designing an appropriate solution are essential for the success of any entrepreneurial project.

The workshop was conducted by Associate Professor Dr. Cătălina Crișan, a faculty member at the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, within the Department of Management. With extensive academic and research experience in the field of entrepreneurship, Cătălina Crișan provided participants with an in-depth exploration of the key concepts of social and commercial entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of clearly defining the problem, identifying its causes and effects, and understanding the significance of the customer discovery process – gaining insight into the real needs of customers.

During the session, students were encouraged to think critically and apply analytical methods to distinguish genuine problems from mere market symptoms, exploring the differences between solutions aimed at social impact and those focused on commercial profit. Through practical examples and interactive exercises, Cătălina Crișan emphasized the importance of empathy in the innovation process and how careful observation of the environment can generate valuable ideas.

The activity took place in a collaborative setting, where participants worked in teams, discussed project ideas, and received constructive feedback on how to refine their proposals.

Through this second module, the i-Lab program continued to strengthen the essential skills needed to develop a strategic entrepreneurial mindset — from deeply understanding a problem to formulating a feasible, impact-oriented solution.