Erasmus University Challenge

Kick-off how to fail?

13 October 2026

Bayle Erasmus University

13:30 - 14:00 : walk - in

14:00 - 14:10 : Opening by Aukje Hassoldt (Dean RSM)

14:10 - 14:20 : Explain the entrepreneurial journey of Erasmus University Challenge by Liesje Goldschmidt (Erasmus Enterprise)

14:20 - 14:40: Inspirational speech by Eelco Schuller

14:40 - 15:10: 1 minute pitch by students & partners

15:10 - 15:40: Fail together workshop by Erasmus Centre for Entrepreneurship & Erasmus Enterprise

15:40 - 16:00: break

16:00 - 17.00: Business Model Canvas by Erasmus Centre for Entrepreneurship & Erasmus Enterprise

17:00 Drinks & snacks

Ideation workshop

29 October 2026

@PLNT in Leiden

13.00 Bus departs from Erasmus University Rotterdam (Busstop HES, 2909 LJ Rotterdam)
14.00 - 14:10 Introduction on PLNT
14:10 - 14:25 Inspirational Talk from an entrepreneur.
14:25 - 16:30 Validation Workshop by Sander Kuin (PLNT) (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sander-kuin-844987aa/)
16:30 - 17:30 Networking drinks
17.30 bus leaves to Erasmus University Rotterdam

Speeddating

19 November 2026

Bayle Erasmus University

13:30 - 14:00 Walk-in Erasmus University Challenge: Speed dating
14:00 - 14:10 Welcome by Erasmus Enterprise
14:10 - 14:20 Introduction
14:30 - 14:50 Inspirational speech by Lizzy van der Vlegel (HelloPrint) (https://www.linkedin.com/in/vdvlegel/)
14:50 - 15:00 How it works by Erasmus Enterprise
15:00 - 15:15 Break

15:15 - 15:45 Speed date round 1
15:45 - 16:15 Speed date round 2
16:15 - 16:45 Speed date round 3
16:45 - 18:00 Snacks and drinks

Prototyping workshop

27 November 2026

@YES!Delft

12:30 - 12:50 Bus departs from Erasmus University Rotterdam (Busstop HES, 2909 LJ Rotterdam)
12:50 - 13:00 Walk-in
13:00 - 13:05 Opening by Liesje Goldschmidt (Erasmus Enterprise)
13:05 - 13:15 Welcome by YES!Delft
13:15 - 13:45 Startup Story
13:45 - 16:15 Workshop: Prototyping and design thinking by YES!Delft
16:15 - 16:45 Tour through the YES!Delft incubator
16:45 - 18:00 Friday afternoon YES!Delft drinks. Easy way to meet startups!
18:00 - 18:30 Bus back to Erasmus University Rotterdam

Online pitch deck or ask an investor anything

01 December 2026

Online

by Graduate Ventures & Erasmus Enterprise

Online pitch deck or ask an investor anything

02 December 2026

Online

by Graduate Ventures & Erasmus Enterprise

Idea Booster Lab

03 December 2026 - 04 December 2026

2-day intensive + 12 months of support to help early-stage founders validate their idea with real evidence, not just ambition. Run in collaboration with the Erasmus Centre for Entrepreneurship and the Rotterdam School of Management, as the official validation track for the Erasmus University Challenge, open to founders across the wider Rotterdam ecosystem too.

Dates: 3–4 December 2026 (bootcamp), plus monthly webinars through 2027
Location: Erasmus University
Language: English
Cost: Free
Demo Day: April 2027, where you can pitch to investors for a share of €10,000
Capacity: Capped at 100 participants. Applications close on 27 November.

Registration: https://ece.typeform.com/to/SetAoOFJ#erasmusenterprise=xxxxx

Half finals / How to Pitch & How to get funded

12 January 2027

Timmerhuis @ Rotterdam

13:30 - 14:00 Walk-in Final workshop
14:00 - 14:10 Opening and welcome by Erasmus Enterprise and Gemeente Rotterdam
14:10 - 14:30 Inspirational speech by Eric Carbijn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carbijn/)
14:30 - 16:30 Workshop: How to Pitch? by Erasmus Enterprise
16:30 - 16:45 Break
16:45 - 17:45 Workshop: How to get funded? by Rabobank & Erasmus MC & Investor Game by Graduate Entrepreneur
17:45 - 18:00 Announcement finalists by Aukje Hassoldt (Dean RSM)
18:00 - 19:00 Networking Drinks