An event hosted in the assembly hall of the Faculty of Education at the University of Alicante welcomes attendees this Thursday at noon. Epic Failures, a conference conceived by the Unnova project, invites participants to explore innovation from an unusual angle: through the lens of mistakes and failures. The session will feature Arkano, a renowned rapper from Alicante, who will share his take on the missteps that helped him rise to prominence in Spain’s freestyle scene.
Arkano hails from Alicante and is a computer engineering graduate of the University of Alicante. In 2009, at the age of 15, he became the youngest national champion in the Red Bull Battle of the Cocks finals. In 2016 he set a Guinness World Record after improvising for 24 hours, 34 minutes, and 27 seconds at Puerta del Sol in Madrid, underscoring his enduring dedication and artistry.
The event is designed specifically for university students, and pre-registration is required to participate. Organizers emphasize that the core idea is to understand how success can emerge from mistakes and failures. A diverse group of professionals from different fields has been assembled to discuss how negative experiences can be transformed into opportunities for innovation. The speakers will outline practical strategies that help individuals position themselves effectively in the competitive professional landscape.
The organizers describe the experience as highly valuable for students who want to relate innovation to real outcomes. The dialogue will illustrate how failure can catalyze breakthrough ideas and practical methods for turning setbacks into competitive advantages. In this way, the Unnova initiative becomes a meaningful catalyst for cultivating an innovative culture within the university and empowering students to pursue ambitious goals with resilience.
The Unnova project, backed by the Ministry of Innovation, Universities, Science and Digital Society, supports these efforts with the aim of stimulating student-led innovation. The program involves three vice-rectors focused on Digital Transformation, Student and Employability and Transfer, and Innovation and Scientific Dissemination, all collaborating to expand opportunities for students and advance practical innovation across campus.