Are there chances for prosperity in Macedonia for every young person who sees their future here, instead of outside it? Of course, yes. The only thing they have to do is take advantage of the open opportunities offered to them.

One such event where young people got the opportunity to present their ideas and at the same time create an opportunity to open their own business by receiving an investment of 25,000 euros was the Longest pitch marathon.

One of the five winners of the Longest pitch marathon who received an investment of 25,000 euros is Stefan Savevski and his CryptEarn team. Read more about Stefan and his experience at the event in the continuation of this blog post.

1. If you could single out one experience that shaped you into the person you are today, what would it be?

"Freelancing definitely. Of course, it is not a single experience but a set of experiences that pile on each other. Daily communication with clients for more than 5 years made me read, learn, and research about the business world. It was here that I actually realized that I had all the necessary qualifications to enter the business world, and by winning the Longest Pitch Marathon, that turned out to be true. Of course, there is also the effort of my friends who wanted to join a crazy idea."

2. Briefly explain what your idea was and what problem it solves?

"Our idea is to make a platform where crypto investors and play-to-earn gamers can connect. In order to play the new crypto games like Axie Infinity, players need to have their NFT crypto characters to start. In countries like Macedonia, Venezuela, and the Philippines, it is quite expensive. On the other hand, investors who have more money can buy these crypto characters and rent them out for a portion of the profits earned in the games. At the end of the day, all parties get money, i.e., crypto tokens."

3. Describe your Longest Pitch Marathon experience in one sentence?

"30-hour socializing, meeting new people, listening to advice, and learning from the best people from Macedonia's business sector."

4. What is the best advice or lesson you learned during the marathon?

"There have been too many, but if I had to pick one, it would be to not be afraid to pivot and listen to someone who knows more than you. We thought we were ready with a fantastic presentation, and a few hours before the pitch, we received some constructive criticism. Instead of sticking to the plan, we took a completely new approach, a new presentation, and that led us to victory. Don't be afraid to listen to someone who knows more than you."

5. What after the Longest Pitch Marathon?

"We are already actively working on the project and laying the foundations of something that seemed impossible to us a few months ago. Every day we learn and take small but important steps in the right direction."

What did we learn from the conversation with Stefan?

Research and set goals that you want to achieve. Persistence and patience will play a big role here, but the end result will not be absent.

‍