Fifteen days ago, I arrived in Greece with a suitcase full of expectations, excitement, and maybe a little nervous energy. This wasn’t just another trip it marked the beginning of a new chapter, not only for me but also for the business idea I’ve been nurturing for months: GrowthSphere.
I come from a business development background, with experience in enterprise IT services and SaaS startups. Originally from India, I later moved to France to pursue my master’s in business development, where I explored the world of European startups, B2B sales, and international market strategy. That journey sparked something bigger in me a vision to build a venture that could actually help early-stage startups grow and connect with the right investors. That vision eventually shaped into GrowthSphere.
When I discovered the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs program, I immediately knew it aligned with what I needed not just mentorship or structure, but a real, immersive experience where I could test my ideas, collaborate with experts, and absorb knowledge from a thriving ecosystem. I wasn’t referred or pushed into it. I found the program myself and applied with hope. Now, here I am in Tripoli, working alongside my host entrepreneur who has experience in startup mentoring, EU innovation projects, and business strategy.
These first two weeks have been eye-opening in the best way. From walking into co-working spaces filled with energy, to sitting down for real conversations with people shaping the local ecosystem every moment feels like a new layer added to my entrepreneurial mindset. I’ve already begun attending events, meeting startup founders, and observing how accelerators select and support their cohorts. It’s not just theory anymore this is the real deal.
But what stands out the most is the human part of this experience. Living in a new country, adjusting to the rhythm of a different culture, and learning how to communicate across languages and expectations has made me more grounded, more curious, and more adaptable.
I came here to build a business but I’m also building a new version of myself.
This journey is helping me move from “thinking like an entrepreneur” to “working like one.” And I know that by the end of this exchange, I won’t just walk away with a refined business plan I’ll have stories, lessons, and the confidence to take GrowthSphere to the next level.