Barcelona's Mariona González Champions 'Learn by Doing' LEINN Degree

Mariona González, a 50-year-old from Barcelona, champions a hands-on approach to education known as "Learn by Doing." She will speak about LEINN—a four-year official university degree in leadership, entrepreneurship, and innovation—at 7:30 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday at Roc Blanc.

LEINN originated over 30 years ago in Finland and sets itself apart by having students form real companies from day one. These ventures serve as the core learning vehicle throughout the program. Instead of traditional classes, students develop concrete projects, learning skills like commercial law through practical dealings with suppliers and clients.

Travel plays a key role, with business trips exposing students to global opportunities. First-year students, for instance, take their initial projects to Finland and return with new business models. Projects span diverse fields, including digital marketing agencies, AI consultancies, event planning firms, and laser-cutting businesses. Students must pursue ideas that genuinely excite them, supported by a team of 80 mentors.

Generating profits is essential, validating that students deliver real value to clients. González describes this as advancing beyond "Learning by Doing" to "Learning by Billing," where the market ultimately judges project success.

At the end of the fourth year, companies close, prompting students to decide their next steps. About 35% continue with ventures born during the degree, such as Gloop—edible spoons—or One Dilemma jeans, launched by recent graduates who now generate €1 million in annual revenue.

González, previously from the third sector, took over as director of Team Labs after attending an open day with her daughter. She emphasizes aligning projects with positive social and environmental impact. "The market is what validates our students' projects," she said.

While many university degrees focus on knowledge transmission—now easily accessible online—LEINN prioritizes critical thinking. González sees hope in 200 young people eager to innovate differently.