Info
UT Challenge

Welcome to the University of Twente Entrepreneurial Challenge! For the second time, The University of Twente is challenging its students to advance their innovative idea, prototype, business plan, or research project with the aid of the Challenge-affiliated network.

Are you ready to launch a spin-off or a start-up? Looking to get noticed for a work placement/internship, final project placement, or a job? Visit the special UT Challenge partner page to learn about our partners, meet your coaches via online coaching sessions and during our inspirational training and workshop days and stay informed of challenging career opportunities.

February – April 2018

In the first week of February the website will go live! Here are some of the things you’ll be able to do on the platform:

* Fill in the details of you and your team
* Select business partners who you’d prefer to get in touch with
* Create the profile of your project
* Start direct chats with coaches from our business partners
* Have access to the entire agenda and register directly for upcoming events
* And more

April – June 2018

After the business partners have gotten to know you and your project via the platform, the best 40 projects will be selected and announced. The top 40 gets to have another go at impressing the University of Twente and business partners, but this time via various face to face encouters such as speed dates and workshops. You get the chance to brainstorm, receive feedback, and learn from specialists in an informal setting.

But that’s not all. A number of workshops will be dedicated to create your business plan via the Golden Egg Check tool. This tool will help you to map out the strenghts and weaknesses of your product or service. Partners can advice you on how to improve and are able to see the value more clearly. After you’ve convinced the partners, you’ll secure yourself a spot in the top 20 best projects.

June 21, 2018

In the weeks after the last workshop and speed dates you have the opportunity to improve your project by processing the feedback you’ve received and draw up a finale business plan. During the final rehearsal you get the chance to rehearse your pitch and receive tips and tricks from our organization and the host of the event.

The final event is your last chance to impress the business partners during the UT Challenge. The UT Challenge has several prizes worth more than €15.000,-! Besides the prizes of the UT Challenge, a few business partners will hand out some very special awards as well that will help you to kick start your career as an entrepreneur.

Become the next unicorn of the Univerity of Twente by entering the UT Challenge!

Agenda

See below for more information on the competition schedule and for answers to frequently asked questions.
If you have any other questions or comments, please contact us via our WhatsApp helpline! (+31 6 30 41 60 96).

Workshops

More information about the workshops in April.

FAQ

About us

What is the UT Challenge? What is the mission of the UT Challenge?

Our mission is to introduce and prosper your innovative idea, prototype or business plan within our network of experienced and successful business partners.

Who organises the UT Challenge?

The UT Challenge is organised by the University of Twente and is made possible with support of the University of Twente, Soapbox Marketing and all partners connected to the UT Challenge.

What roles do the partners of the UT Challenge fulfill?

Our partners create and shape the network for the UT Challenge. Many of them are located in the Twente area and want to get to know you! The companies want to help you with the development and the growth of your idea, prototype or business plan. Are you looking for that little extra push for your innovation? Or are you ready to launch your spin-off or start-up? Do you want to have the unique possibility to introduce yourself to major industry players in order to broaden your chances on a job or graduation internship? Get to know our partners via the partner page on this website, introduce yourself to their coaches during the 1-1 chatsessions and talk to them during our training –and workshopdays. Make sure you don’t miss out on any of the career possibilities and stay up-to-date of all developments in the tech industry.

How can I get in touch with you?

You can reach us via email: info@utchallenge.nl.Please go to the contact page for all necessary information.

Participate

Who can participate in the UT Challenge?

Everybody that is enrolled in a study at the University of Twente with an innovative idea, prototype, research or business plan.

If I want to participate, how does it work?

You have the possibility to register yourself and your innovation from the 5th of February until the 2nd of April 2018. Registering can be done in the category “idea”, “prototype” or “startup”. In less than five minutes you will roll into our network and you can continue the development of your concept.

Where can I sign up to join the challenge?

You can sign up for the competition here: https://2018.utchallenge.nl/register

How does the registration process work?

The registration process consists out of three steps:
1. Sign up (5/01 - 2/04)
2. Create your personal profile within your dashboard.
3. Fill in all the empty spaces of your project profile to publish your profile. This way partners and other viewers can see your profile on our website. Please note that your innovation will be assessed by the business coaches of the UT Challenge based on the answers you provide on this form.

What do the clusters mean?

The clusters make sure you are matched to the right companies and organisations throughout the entire UT Challenge. These clusters represent the current technical top-sectors. During the registration process you can select a total of three clusters, which you think, match most closely to your project. For example, it can be the case that your project consists of a beautiful piece of high-tech combined with durable materials with as main goal to improve a persons health. Each cluster is represented by a coach and one or more top industry companies in the region that can provide you with suitable advise and tips.

What are the clusters?

Within the different clusters mentioned below you can expect coaching and advice of different experts:

1. High Tech Systems & Materials
2. Energy & Sustainability
3. Transport & Automotive
4. Chemicals & Materials
5. Life Sciences & Health
6. Digital & Internet
7. Building & Physics
8. Geo-Information Science & Earth Observation
9. Finance & Technology

I am a PHD student, can I participate?

Definitely! Broaden your network and find the support you are looking for in order to complete your research by participating in the UT Challenge.

Can I collaborate with somebody from a different faculty or study direction?

No problem at all! The UT Challenge is not limited for certain faculties and we encourage projects that combine different studies and disciplines into one great innovation.

Can I compete with students from different educational institutions?

During the registration process only students registered at the University of Twente are accepted. Solely UT students are allowed to participate in the chat sessions, training-and-workshop-days and the pitches during the finale event. Apart from that you are free to choose whomever you want to help you kick-start your innovation.

Can I join the challenge with a studentproject?

Yes, this is possible. You can participate with a group of maximum 5 persons. However, it is for student teams only possible/allowed to participate with a part of their product instead of the end product.

Won’t anybody steal my idea?

No. The coaches are there to provide you with coaching, to help you to improve your concept and establish collaborations. Next to that we will not publicly expose anything without explicitly ask your permission before hand. TIP: Don’t give details on your online public profile. Via the online chats en during the speed dates you can provide more details on your project to the coaches, if you like.

What is the network round?

Networking is a very important part of the UT Challenge and your future career. Make sure your idea becomes “trending topic” on our platform and social media channels and get in touch with specialists in the industry.

What is the deadline for registering?

You can sign up and register your concept until the 2nd of April 2018.

The prizes

Who can win a prize?

Everybody who studies at the University of Twente and joins the competition.

On which day will the final take place?

The final event will be held on 21st of June

What can I win?

The definitive prizes will be announced in March. We can reveal to you that a total amount of €15.000 will be devided between the winners.

Are there prizes for the other participants?

Next to pitch-experience, training and workshop-days and lots of network possibilities we provide everybody with lots of fun and inspiration!

InfoUT Challenge