Venture Centre
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.
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 3, 2025 [13:00-14:00]
Meeting ID: 352 127 561 803
Passcode: 4pF3Eg2j
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, Kwaku Festival 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, hosted by Venture Centre |
| April 8 '25 | 13:00-18:00 | Impact Day 2, hosted by Venture Centre |
| April 14 '25 | 13:00-18:00 | Impact Day 3, hosted by Venture Centre |
| April 15 '25 | 13:00-18:00 | Impact Day 4, hosted by Venture Centre |
| May 12 '25 | 13:00-18:00 | Impact Day 5, hosted by Venture Centre |
| May 19 '25 | 16:00-18:00 | Impact Day 6, hosted by Innofest |
| June 2 '25 | 16:00-18:00 | Impact Day 7, hosted by Innofest |
| June 23 or 24 '25 | 14:00-17:45 | Impact Day 8, hosted by Innofest
|
| July 7 '25 | 14:00-17:45 | Impact Day 9, hosted by Innofest
|
| 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
|
| September 4 '25 | 15:00-17:00 | Impact Day 12: Eind event, hosted by Venture Centre |
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 16th, 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 .