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Validation Lab MDT

Join the Validation Lab MDT and Innovate for a Better Future!

Are you a student looking to gain hands-on experience in innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainability? Do you want to work on real challenges from companies and organizations? Then this is your chance to get started!

On this page:

What is the Validation Lab MDT?

Validation Lab MDT is a innovation challenge, spread over 20 weeks, where you, together with a team of other students, will tackle real-life challenges linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). You will collaborate with experts, coaches, and organizations/researchers to develop innovative solutions that make a real impact.

The program consists of 12 impact days and three additional activities. During the impact days, you will participate in workshops on topics such as Design Thinking, Validation & Testing, Business Models, and Prototyping. The extra activities include networking, visiting a festival, and gathering feedback. Besides that, you get per group 300 euros per group to build your prototype.

The program is organized by Venture Centre HvA in collaboration with Innofest, a leading organization that tests innovations at festivals and events in real-life settings and is funded by MDT.

Info sessie (online):

Info session (online): March 17, 2025 [13:00-14:00]

Missed the session? Watch the recording and slides!

Couldn't attend the info session? No worries! You can find the recording and presentation slides here.

If you have any questions after watching, feel free to reach out to us at venturecentre@hva.nl.

What Can You Expect?

✅ Work in a team of 6 students on a challenge in the field of water, food, climate, circularity, social inclusion, health, mobility, or energy.
✅ Develop skills in problem-solving, entrepreneurship, and teamwork.
✅ Receive coaching and guidance from industry professionals.
✅ Participate in exclusive workshops on Design thinking, prototyping, testing, and more
✅ Get the chance to test your idea in a real-life setting (Kwaku Festival) with the support of Innofest.
✅ Expand your network and gain valuable hands-on experience for your CV.
✅ Develop a solution to a real-world challenge—one that could become the foundation for a future startup, with the 10K Incubation Program as a next step to grow your idea.

Program & Timeline

Start date: April 7, 2024
Location: Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Festival in Amsterdam and online

The workshops and team sessions are designed to be easily combined with your studies and will take place on the following days:

Datum

Tijd

Host & info
April 7 '25 13:00-18:00

Impact Day 1,

  • Kickoff Session and Teambuilding

Hosted by Venture Centre
April 8 '25 13:00-18:00

Impact Day 2,

  • Ideation Workshops and Design Thinking

Hosted by Venture Centre
April 14 '25 13:00-18:00

Impact Day 3,

  • Sustainable Business Model Canvas

Hosted by Venture Centre
April 15 '25 13:00-18:00

Impact Day 4,

  • Validation & Pitching

Hosted by Venture Centre
May 5 '25 13:00-18:00 Bevrijdingsfestival Utrecht visit with Innofest
May 12 '25 13:00-18:00

Impact Day 5,

  • Prototype Development, Students get 300 euro per group for a prototype

hosted by Venture Centre
May 19 '25 16:00-18:00

Impact Day 6,

  • Test Like The Best workshop - shaping a test design.

hosted by Innofest
June 2 '25 16:00-18:00

Impact Day 7, :

  • Dig Deeper workshop - giving feedback and more detail to the test design

Hosted by Innofest
June 23 or 24 '25 14:00-17:45

Impact Day 8, hosted by Innofest

  • Each team will have a one-on-one 45min session. Half the teams will have it on Monday 23rd, and the other half on Tuesday 24th
July 7 '25 14:00-17:45

Impact Day 9, hosted by Innofest

  • 14:00 – 14:30 session with all the teams

  • 14:30 – 17:40 Every team will have a one-on-one session of 20min between this timeslot

July 25/26/27 '25 Impact Day 10: Testing at Kwaku Festival
August 4 '25 13:00-17:00

Impact Day 11, hosted by Innofest

  • Every team will have an online one-on-one session of 25min between this timeslot
September 4 '25 15:00-17:00 Impact Day 12: End event, hosted by Venture Centre
Note: Besides this days about 8 hours of own time is required for the programme.

Who Can Join?

We are looking for a diverse group of motivated students (18-30 years old) from all fields of study who want to develop their entrepreneurial mindset. No prior experience in entrepreneurship or innovation is required—curiosity, commitment, and a drive to make an impact are!

How to Apply?

Application Deadline: March 31st, 2025

  • Fill out the application form: form and attach a motivation letter.

  • After reviewing your application, we will inform you of our decision. If your application meets our criteria, you will be invited for an interview.

  • Those selected for an interview will continue in the process, and a final decision will be made after the interview.

Ready to challenge yourself and make an impact? Apply now for Validation Lab MDT!

Questions? Contact Carmen Been at c.been@hva.nl or visit www.hva.nl/venture-centre or Innofest .

Published by  Entrepreneurship 26 March 2025

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