over 150 students kicked off the TU/e Contest 2026; a five-month learning program focused on entrepreneurial competences and a platform for early-stage innovative ideas. With over 190 registered participants across 69 teams, this 12th edition marks the highest number of participants since the program started.
Supporting tomorrow's change agents from all TU/e departments
In her speech, Isabelle Reymen, Scientific Director of TU/e innovation Space, welcomed the students and underlined the importance of a program like the TU/e Contest: "It is important to educate engineers of the future with entrepreneurial competences, who can deal with uncertainty and take leadership. Not only to create economic value, but also value for society."
To address major societal challenges, we need people like you, who can bring ideas from dream to demo to impact.
Isabelle Reymen, Scientific Director TU/e innovation Space
The TU/e Contest continues to attract students from a wide range of educational backgrounds. Among this year's participants, 75% are Bachelor students and 25% are Master students. Students from all TU/e faculties are represented, with the largest number of participants coming from Mathematics and Computer Science (53), Mechanical Engineering (37), and Industrial Engineering and Innovation Sciences (28). Other faculties, such as Electrical Engineering (20) and Industrial Design (17), are also well represented. The program has also expanded beyond TU/e, welcoming students from Fontys, Tilburg University, and JADS.
Increase in self-initiated projects
As shown in the image, the starting point for this year's projects varies. Many students continue to develop projects beyond their courses or build further on their Honors Academy projects. There is also involvement of subprojects from TU/e student teams.
What stands out this year is that over half of the teams are entering the competition with ideas they developed entirely on their own, compared to 42% last year.
In addition, over 20 participants joined the TU/e Contest without having a project yet. This is also possible, as the program primarily focuses on developing entrepreneurial competences. In the coming weeks, these participants will be matched with existing teams.
A wide range of ideas addressing societal challenges
According to Gert Guri, Coordinator of Education on Entrepreneurial Learning at TU/e innovation Space and lecturer at Industrial Engineering & Innovation Sciences (IE&IS), the first impressions are positive: "The ideas of this year's participants range from health and wellbeing and smart cities to energy transition, materials and innovative technologies, AI, and education."
This wide variety of ideas shows students' motivation to employ their skills to contribute to societal challenges.
Gert Guri, Coordinator of Education on Entrepreneurial Learning at TU/e innovation Space and lecturer at IE&IS
In line with the domains for technology leadership from the TU/e Institutional Plan 2026-2030, most teams (20) focus on Digital & Semiconductor Technologies. Health Technologies follows with 17 teams, Energy Technologies with 11 teams, and Advanced Materials with 2 teams. A further 19 (Miscellaneous) teams do not fit into one specific domain. This spread reflects the diversity of ideas within the TU/e Contest 2026.
Curious how these ideas develop?
Save the date for the Finalist Selection Event on May 27 in Atlas, where all projects will be visible, and visitors can vote for the top 10 teams that will compete for several awards during the Finals on June 11.
About the TU/e Contest
The TU/e Contest, organized for the 12th time by TU/e innovation Space with support from the TU/e Knowledge Transfer Office (KTO), is a five-month competition and learning program.
More than a competition, it is a learning path for engineering students to develop their entrepreneurial competences by turning innovative ideas into viable impact making projects helping to address societal challenges. During this extra-curricular program, TU/e students work in teams on their own projects related to societal challenges. They receive support through workshops and networking events with fellow students, coaches, and a broad network of experts from education, business, and society, including corporates, SMEs, NGOs, and governments.
Students can participate with an existing team, a startup idea, or simply an interest in developing entrepreneurial competences. All students and recent alumni are welcome, as long as at least one team member is a TU/e student or recent TU/e alumnus.
The TU/e Contest 2026 finals will take place on June 11. This marks the end of the competition, but not the learning process. Teams are encouraged to continue their projects thanks to various opportunity paths offered to them.
