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At COREangels, we believe in active participation. In giving back to the ecosystem not just with capital, but with curiosity, challenge, and care. Last week, that ethos came to life as Eugenia Dunaeva, one of our own investors at COREangels Climate, joined the judging panel at the ALYA Society Startups Event in Madrid—a “Mini Shark Tank” designed for student founders bold enough to pitch their early-stage ventures.

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We’re talking about the ALYA Society Startups Event in Madrid—affectionately known as the “Mini Shark Tank.” But unlike its namesake TV show, this wasn’t about showmanship. It was about substance.

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The Event

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Held on April 7, this event brought together six student-led startups, each pitching bold, early-stage ideas to a panel of seasoned investors and business mentors. Among the judges: Álvaro Payá Guillot, Nehad Sharaf, Javier Criado Nesofsky, Guillermo Soto Ugalde, and one of our own from COREangels.

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The room was electric. Not because of pressure—but because of possibility. These weren’t hobby projects. Some founders were already on their second venture. Others had developed working prototypes or clever business models that could rival teams twice their age.

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Challenging Over Impressing

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Too often, mentoring sessions turn into lectures. The mentor becomes the smartest person in the room—and stays there. But the best mentoring flips that script. The goal isn’t to impress the students. It’s to challenge them. Ask sharper questions. Help them think deeper. Offer a different perspective. Make them more curious, not more certain.

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As one judge shared after the event:

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It’s not about showing how much I know. It’s about creating enough friction to help them grow.

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That’s a core part of the COREangels mindset. We believe that asking the right question is often more valuable than offering the right answer—especially for founders still shaping their own worldview.

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The Power of Real-World Feedback

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For the students, this wasn’t just another classroom exercise. It was their first contact with how investors think, how entrepreneurs adapt under pressure, and how ideas evolve when exposed to rigorous feedback.

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It’s also a reminder that early exposure to venture thinking can be transformative. Whether or not they raise capital tomorrow, they’ve already gained something most founders only learn years into the game:

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  • how to defend a business model,

  • how to respond to tough questions,

  • and how to turn feedback into fuel.

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What It Means for the Ecosystem

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Events like ALYA Society’s Mini Shark Tank do more than just showcase student startups. They build bridges. Between generations. Between mindsets. Between emerging talent and experienced investors who still remember what it felt like to pitch for the first time.

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At COREangels, we’re proud to be part of this ecosystem—whether it’s through fund leadership, community events, or mentorship like this. Because when angel investors give back through constructive challenge and honest support, we help create the kind of founders we’ll be lucky to back in the future.