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FAQ

General overview

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What is the TU Delft Impact Contest?
The TU Delft Impact Contest is an annual entrepreneurship competition for all students at Delft University of Technology. It offers a platform to transform innovative ideas, research, or prototypes into successful startups and real-world products. Participants receive guidance from an extensive partner network to help build their business plans and accelerate innovation.
The mission of the contest is to challenge students to develop innovative, out-of-the-box solutions for complex societal problems. It serves as a dedicated platform where students, companies, government bodies, and organizations collaborate to support innovation and co-creation. By bridging the gap between academia and society, the contest empowers the next generation of entrepreneurs to create a sustainable and positive impact.
The competition is open to students at any academic level, including Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, and PDEng candidates. To be eligible, at least one member of your team must be a current student or a recent graduate from Delft University of Technology. This ensures that the contest remains focused on fostering innovation within the TU Delft community while allowing for interdisciplinary and multi-university collaboration.
Yes, participation in the TU Delft Impact Contest is completely free of charge for all eligible students and recent graduates. There are no registration fees or hidden costs involved in joining the workshops, coaching sessions, or networking events. This ensures that all innovative ideas have the opportunity to grow, regardless of financial resources.

Contest structure & timeline

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How is the contest structured?

The competition is organized into several phases designed to guide you from an initial idea to a market-ready concept. The trajectory typically includes:

  • Info Session: A detailed introduction on the application process and what to expect during the contest.
  • Meet & Greet Event: An opportunity to start networking with industry coaches, partners, and fellow student entrepreneurs.
  • Workshops: Specialized sessions hosted by professionals covering essential topics for building a successful startup.
  • Speeddate Event: Rapid mentoring rounds where you receive direct feedback and advice from our partner network.
  • Grand Finale: The concluding event featuring final pitches to a jury and the official award ceremony.
Exact dates vary each year. Find the exact timeline here. 

How to apply & eligibility

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How do I apply?
To join the competition, you can apply directly through the official contest website. Simply create an account and submit your team information along with your project details. The application process is designed to be straightforward, allowing you to focus on explaining the impact and potential of your idea.
No, to ensure full commitment and a fair competition, each individual is allowed to participate with only one team. Additionally, each team is limited to submitting one project per edition of the contest.
We welcome a wide range of projects, from early-stage ideas and technical prototypes to more advanced research or startup concepts. Depending on the current stage of your work, you can enter in either the Ideation or Advanced category. This ensures that projects are judged alongside others at a similar level of development.
While the contest is open to most student-led initiatives, teams that are already generating a significant user base or substantial revenue are not eligible to participate. The competition is specifically designed to support and accelerate startups and projects that are still in their earlier growth and development phases.
No, the contest is open to students from all disciplines. Whether you are studying engineering, social sciences, humanities, or any other field, you are encouraged to participate. We believe that the most successful innovations come from interdisciplinary teams that combine different perspectives and expertise.
  1. Login to the dashboard.
  2. Go to “Profile”.
  3. Fill in all the required boxes (name, surname, phone number, nationality, stage of education, faculty, what are you really good at, what are your passions/interests, etc.).
  4. Save your profile. 
  1. Login to the dashboard.
  2. Go to “About your project”, and then “Members”.
  3. Click on “Add team member”, and then on “Activate sharecode”. 
  4. You’ll see a unique share code pop up. This code you can use to invite team members. You can send them an email with the code if you fill in the email address
  1. Login to the dashboard.
  2. Go to “About your project”
  3. Fill in the required fields under “Competition”.
  4. Add a logo + banner that represents your team in “Media”
  5. Save your profile. 
  6. Check if it looks good in “Preview”.

Categories & awards

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What are the competition categories?

The competition features two main award categories to ensure a level playing field for all participants:

  • Ideation: Designed for projects in the conceptual phase or those with early-stage prototypes.
  • Advanced: Targeted at more developed prototypes, Minimum Viable Products (MVPs), or business models that have already undergone initial testing.
Yes, in addition to the main category awards, there are typically extra prizes available. A common example is the Audience Award, which is determined by a public vote, allowing teams to showcase their project to a wider community and gain additional visibility.
No. Teams generally apply for the category that best fits their current stage. However, according to the contest rules, entrants who apply for the Advanced category but are not selected for that level are often automatically considered for the Ideation category. This ensures that high-potential ideas are not excluded from the competition.

Workshops, coaching & network

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What support is provided during the contest?
Participants have access to a comprehensive support system designed to accelerate their projects. This includes specialized workshops covering essential topics such as business design and pitching. Additionally, teams benefit from dedicated coaching sessions and speed-date mentoring events with experienced industry partners who provide professional guidance throughout the process.
Mentorship is a cornerstone of the competition, offering teams critical feedback and a way to validate their core assumptions. Mentors help you refine your business model and sharpen your value proposition. Beyond technical advice, mentorship opens doors to valuable networking opportunities with established companies and industry leaders.
The contest is supported by an extensive network of companies and organizations that serve as sponsors, mentors, and potential collaborators. This network helps teams refine their ideas, validate market potential, and explore real-world business opportunities. You can find a full overview of all involved partners on our dedicated partner page.
Yes! Participating in the contest can be a significant boost for your professional future. Contestants have the opportunity to share their CVs with the partner network. Through these interactions, many participants receive offers for internships, traineeships, or even full-time job positions at leading innovative organizations.

Candidates & teams

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Where can I see other teams?
You can find an overview of the current participating teams on the candidates page. This list allows you to see who is involved in the competition and learn more about their innovative projects. It is also a great way to discover teams that are actively looking for new members to strengthen their project.
Yes, it is possible to join an existing project. If a team is seeking new members, you can contact them directly through the portal or reach out to them internally. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute your skills to a promising startup idea and participate in the contest even if you do not have a project of your own.

Contact & communication

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Who do I contact with questions?
For student participation questions, you can contact us via WhatsApp: +31 6 42 87 29 01 or email: [email protected]. 
This way we can easily reach you. We stand for personal contact and believe that sometimes calling is better than sending an email. Furthermore, this means that we are always reachable via WhatsApp. As with other personal data, we won’t share this with other parties. More information about this can be found in our privacy and terms statements.

Other useful info

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Is this connected to wider challenges?
Yes, the competition serves as a stepping stone to larger platforms. Past editions of the TU Delft Impact Contest have seen top teams advance to nationwide competitions, such as the 4TU Impact Challenge. In these events, finalists from all four Dutch technical universities compete at a national level for further recognition and support. Moreover, winners of the competition have the opportunity to be participating in the national competition, the Dutch University Challenge! 
Previous participants have achieved significant success far beyond the competition itself. Many teams have transitioned into growing startups, secured additional awards, and gained extensive exposure at international innovation events. These outcomes demonstrate that the contest is a powerful launchpad for long-term entrepreneurial growth and professional development, reaching well beyond the initial prize money.

Benefits of participating

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What do students gain?
Participating in the competition offers a wide range of benefits for personal and professional growth. Students gain essential skills in entrepreneurship, business model development, and the art of pitching to a professional jury. Beyond skill-building, the contest provides direct mentorship and feedback from industry experts and academic advisors. You will also have numerous networking opportunities with leading businesses and organizations, gaining exposure to potential investors and collaborators while showcasing your work to a broad public audience.

Tips for success

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What can I do to make the most of my participation in the contest

To make the most of your participation in the contest, consider these strategies for success:

  • Start early: Give yourself and your team plenty of time to refine your idea or prototype before the main deadlines.
  • Engage actively: Take every opportunity to talk with partners and mentors; their insights are invaluable for your growth.
  • Validate your concept: Try to test your ideas with real users or stakeholders before your final pitch to ensure your solution meets a real need.
  • Build connections: Use the networking events not just for immediate feedback, but to establish long-term professional relationships with industry leaders and peers.