HEROES | From Brno to Mechelen: How one entrepreneur is connecting students across borders
When Lubor Lacina takes the stage, students listen. Not just because he's a lecturer at Mendel University in the Czech Republic, but because he's lived the entrepreneurial journey he teaches. And on our International Business Day, students got a unique look into his personal story.
Building a business when the market doesn't exist
"What happens when you build a startup around a product most people had never heard of?"Lubor asks the packed classroom in Mechelen. The answer: Underground Food, his insect-based protein company for the pet food sector, now operating across 21 EU countries.
Founded just before COVID, Underground Food faced challenges most textbooks don't cover. Dried insects reactivating due to moisture during long sea voyages. Political conflicts forcing cargo ships to take costly detours. Markets that needed to be created from scratch in a highly regulated industry.
"I tried to explain that if they don't start their business immediately, there is time to start for the rest of their lives," Lubor reflects after his presentation. "But more importantly, I wanted to focus on the joy you can have running your own business. That's something people risk forgetting, especially when you're just starting out.”
The students were captivated. Between stories of risk management and international scaling, Lubor slipped in practical advice: "You better know your Excel well," he laughed, explaining how calculating shipping risks requires more than just ambition.
More than a guest lecture
This isn't Lubor's first visit to Thomas More. In January, he joined a workshop on entrepreneurship within HEROES-partners. But the biggest collaboration happened earlier this year through a COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning) project.
140 students, 70 from Thomas More, 70 from Mendel University, worked together with two Belgian companies seeking to enter the Czech market. The project was a resounding success, combining real business challenges with cross-cultural teamwork and international expertise.
"Both students and teachers found it a very educational experience," says the Thomas More team. "We're repeating this in autumn 2026."
For Lubor, today's International Business Day offered something different. "Previously I presented about my professional field, political economy and European economic integration. Today was the first time I presented experiences from my own company."
He appreciated the scale and diversity: "I like the different students, different origins, all business oriented."
Why international days matter
Asked why he wanted to participate in the International Days at Thomas More, Lubor's answer is simple: "To get to know the students, and to learn how Thomas More organizes this kind of event."
The exchange works both ways. While students gained insights into entrepreneurship, market creation, and international business realities, Lubor discovered Mechelen as a city. "I'm impressed by Mechelen as a historical city. Touristic and yet calm. With beautifully preserved history."
He also thanked the Business students for their warm welcome and smooth organisation; a reminder that international collaboration isn't just about content, it's about connection.
What students take away
"They looked impressed about the possibilities of their own businesses," Lubor observes. In a world where entrepreneurship can seem daunting, hearing from someone who's navigated uncharted territory - and found joy in it - makes the impossible feel possible.
That's the power of HEROES partnerships: bringing real experiences, real challenges, and real connections into the classroom. From COIL collaborations that bridge 140 students across two countries, to keynote presentations that inspire hundreds more, these exchanges create value that lasts long after the session ends.
That's international education at its best. That's HEROES in action.
Want to experience international collaboration like this?
⚡️ Lubor organized a COIL (collaborative online international learning) programme, with our students.
👀 Want to learn more about HEROES University? Discover the possibilities for students.
🤝 Curious about International Business & Trade? Check out the programme or join our events.
Lubor Lacina is a lecturer at Mendel University in Brno, Czech Republic, and founder of Underground Food. He is a returning guest at Thomas More's international events and a valued HEROES partner.