The Timeline
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26-10-2026
Ideation Workshop

Location TBD

13:30 - 15:30

By Robin de Heer

Ready to turn your passion into action?

Do you wonder how to take a spark of inspiration and turn it into something tangible? Or do you already have an idea bubbling, and you're preparing for the next step?

Join the Ideation Workshop, designed for:

  • Dreamers: those who are still exploring how to transform their passion into entrepreneurship.

  • Explorers: those who already have an idea but want to dig deeper, test assumptions and refine their concept before moving forward.

In this workshop, Robin de Heer will give you the space, tools, and energy to explore your ideas. 

Advanced teams are welcome too! Just a heads-up: the workshop isn’t specifically tailored to advanced teams, but you may still find fresh perspectives and useful exercises to challenge your thinking.

27-10-2026
Kick-Off Event

Faculty of Science and Engineering, Paul-Henri Spaaklaan 1 6229 EN, Maastricht

13:30 - 17:00

The challenge begins! Join us as we bring together participants and our partner network for the first time. This is your chance to:

  • Meet fellow competitors and potential collaborators.

  • Get a clear overview of the challenge and next steps.

  • Hear how partners and mentors can support you along the way.

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29-10-2026
Positioning for Startups - Marketing Ideation Workshop

Location and time TBD

By Hovik Torkomyan

Description

Positioning isn't a sentence you write once. It's a system you use to define what you stand for and sharpen it as you learn. This hands-on session gives you that system, built on your own startup. You leave with a first positioning and everything you need to run the system again, whether you keep building, pivot, or start something new.

What we do in the session
A hands-on, interactive workshop on your own startup. You'll learn how to find out what you're genuinely good at, turn it into value propositions, and turn your value propositions into a messaging framework. We explain each step, do it together, and move on. At the end we recap what we built and what you run at home.

What you take home

  • Your own positioning, built during the session
  • The playbook (PDF)
  • The Miro board with all the templates
  • The Excel sheets
  • The slides
  • The AI agents

29-10-2026
Positioning & Go-to-Market - Marketing Advanced Workshop

Location and time TBD

By Hovik Torkomyan

Description

Positioning isn't a sentence you write once. It's a system you use to define what you stand for and sharpen it with every conversation you have with the market. This hands-on session gives you that system and connects it to your launch. You leave with your positioning defined and everything you need to take it to market and keep iterating, whether you keep building, pivot, or start something new.

What we do in the session
A hands-on, interactive workshop on your own startup. You'll learn how to find out what you're genuinely good at, turn it into value propositions, and turn your value propositions into a messaging framework. Then we connect it to your launch: how your positioning defines your ideal customer profile, and how founder-led sales tells you whether it's right. At the end we recap what we built and what you run at home.

What you take home

  • Your own positioning, built during the session
  • The playbook (PDF), covering positioning, go-to-market and founder-led sales
  • The Miro board with all the templates
  • The Excel sheets, including the founder-led sales tracker
  • The slides
  • The AI agents

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13-11-2026
Workshop: Networking Skills

Karl Dittrich Hall, Student Services Center, Bonnefantenstraat 2, 6211 KL, Maastricht

09:30 - 11:30

By Lars Smits

  • Why is it essential to network?
  • How do I start networking in a room full of strangers?
  • How can I use my network to find out about interesting job openings?
  • What can I offer to my network?

The importance of networking for your career cannot be underestimated. It is the best way to get detailed information about the job market, job openings, and job opportunities. And the way to present yourself professionally. So, how do you network? This lecture provides hands-on tips that help you build a network that supports you in your transition from university into the job market.


At the end of this lecture, you will be able to...

  • reflect on the purpose and value of networking
  • recognize and avoid the common and your pitfalls
  • apply tips to connect genuinely and effectively with interesting people
  • introduce yourself as a professional to others and grow your professional network

Opinions of other students on Networking skills:

  • “This lecture made me feel much more comfortable about networking.”
  • “That we could think about our brand, what makes us unique and our qualities.”
  • “The networking games were great for practice.”

In the meantime...

You can have a look at the offer on the Personal & Professional Development Portal.

There are free and short online modules and resources on several topics. The following modules are aligned with this workshop:

08-12-2026
Speeddate Event

School of Business and Economics, Tongersestraat 53 6211 LM, Maastricht

12:30 - 17:00

An exciting afternoon of speed-dating where selected teams will connect with partners for brainstorming, coaching, and valuable feedback. This dynamic event offers a unique chance to engage face-to-face, receive valuable feedback, spark new ideas, and build meaningful connections to help elevate your projects and collaborations.

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21-01-2027
Grand Finale

School of Business and Economics, Tongersestraat 53 6211 LM, Maastricht

12:00 - 17:00

The best teams will take the stage to deliver a pitch about their entrepreneurial idea or innovative prototype. The afternoon concludes with an award ceremony and a celebration of the challenge!