Jonk Entrepreneuren Luxembourg has spent 20 years inspiring youth entrepreneurship, preparing the next generation to lead in a fast-changing, impact-driven future.
When Jonk Entrepreneuren Luxembourg (JEL) was officially founded in 2005, its mission was as ambitious as it was necessary: to bridge the gap between education and the business world, fostering entrepreneurship, initiative, and creativity among young people. But its story actually begins decades earlier. In the 1980s Luxembourg’s economy was heavily reliant on traditional industries and the country counted around 17,000 self-employed people. To pave the way for a surge in entrepreneurial activity, various actors in Luxembourg launched educational initiatives that introduced children to business concepts in innovative ways.
One of the earliest successes was the integration of “Boule et Bill créent une entreprise” (Boule and Bill create their own company), a special edition of the beloved comic strip that introduced the principles of starting a business in a simple and engaging format. Targeted at students aged 10 to 12, this creative learning tool laid the groundwork for what would later become a national movement. “The aim of this comic was to explain the principles of starting a business in a simple and engaging way,” says Sven Baltes, Programme Manager at JEL.
This pioneering spirit quickly evolved into what is now one of the organisation’s flagship programmes: Mini-Company, which enables secondary school students to create and manage their own businesses in a real-world setting. The programme exemplifies JEL’s philosophy that entrepreneurship is “more than just starting a company, it’s a mindset.”
Learning by Doing
Today, JEL offers 12 programmes across all educational levels—from primary schools to universities—touching on everything from financial literacy (Fit for Life) to immersive workplace experiences (Job Shadow Day and Engineering Trainee Days). Programmes like “Our Community” introduce young children to economic concepts, while the “Young Enterprise Project” (YEP) challenges university students to apply entrepreneurial thinking at an advanced level. Innovation camps and technology-focused workshops round out the offering.
“We’ve learned that the key is experiential learning,” Baltes explains. “Young people engage when they can actively do, not just listen. Giving them the chance to explore, take initiative, and learn through trial and error in a supportive environment is essential.”
A Track Record of Transformation
Over the past 20 years, JEL has impacted thousands of students across Luxembourg. Although the organisation does not formally track company creation as a key performance indicator, its influence is evident in the entrepreneurial journeys of former participants. Notable alumni include Clémentine Offner and Ivo Silva (WeConnect), Misch Strotz (Neon Internet & LetzAI), and Gianluca Marinelli (SOVI Solutions).
“Our main focus is helping young people develop essential skills that benefit both their personal lives and future careers, whether as business founders or in employment,” Baltes emphasises.
Entrepreneurship Then and Now
Reflecting on how the landscape has evolved, Baltes notes a dramatic shift in accessibility and motivation. “Technology allows ideas to become reality almost instantly. Barriers to entry are lower, though competition is tougher,” he says. Moreover, today’s young entrepreneurs are often driven by values—social impact, sustainability, and solidarity—rather than solely by profit.
Looking ahead, he anticipates even greater change: “Entrepreneurship will likely become even more collaborative, digital, and impact-oriented. AI and emerging technologies will play a big role, and entrepreneurship will increasingly be seen as a tool to solve global challenges.”
Eyes on the Future
In line with these trends, JEL is planning new initiatives to keep pace with the evolving entrepreneurial ecosystem. The organisation is currently bidding to host Gen-E 2027, a major European entrepreneurship festival, and is expanding its “Fit for Life” programme to include a broader range of age groups and competencies.
“We will continue developing a clear learning pathway and explore new support for student projects transitioning into real businesses,” says Baltes, underlining JEL’s commitment to nurturing long-term impact.
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