Summer school: EntrepreneurialU

See you at a fully new summer school in 2024

NEW BEGINNING

We are excited to announce that our summer school is in the process of repositioning and rebranding. This change will require us to cancel CuriousU summer school 2023, but we are incredibly proud of our progress and look forward to offering a refreshed and improved program in the near future. We thank all our students and staff for their support and look forward to continuing to serve our community.

In a global economy, people are increasingly being expected to take responsibility for and ownership of their own lives. 

The challenges that modern society is facing needs individuals who are able to recognise and seize opportunities. People who innovate, initiate and co-create impactful solutions. People who are not afraid to take action! Developing an entrepreneurial attitude and relevant skills is vital to preparing for living in tomorrow’s world. Not only for aspiring entrepreneurs but for every single one of us!

 The University of Twente has over 35 years of experience in entrepreneurship and has been elected the most entrepreneurial university in the Netherlands for five times in a row. The EntrepreneurialU course is presented to you by Novel-T, the business unit of the University of Twente, that helped create businesses such as Booking.com, Lipocoat and Code Sandbox. 

This summer course provides you with all the relevant skills that are vital to becoming an entrepreneur in the world of tomorrow. Moreover, it focuses on applying this knowledge in practice and simultaneously lets you gain hands-on experience from real start-ups and scale-ups through inspiring talks and Q&A sessions. Whether you want to discover the viability of your business idea, want to experience what it is like to be an entrepreneur, or want to learn the skill set to think and act like an entrepreneur, this summer course is for you! With the help of workshops and our experienced coaches and experts, you can either build a coalition around your idea or join a team that is working on something you are passionate about. If you are in search of that extra spark for your business idea, you can seek inspiration by joining one of the other summer school tracks for the first two days. At the end of the week, each team will pitch a working business concept to a panel of experts. Engage with fun-to-be-with people from a variety of backgrounds and with a wide range of interests.

The foundation of the course lies in a proper business idea that is adequate for applying the course materials. We had a few options: 1) an own idea, 2) a predetermined idea 3) finding ideas on the spot. We’ve chosen to make a combination of our own ideas and pre-set ideas. Own ideas have been integrated as it attracts entrepreneurial minds that specifically have the goal to bring their ideas further using the course. This is something we can facilitate, as it is also what we do at the START program. A disadvantage is that we cannot control whether or not these ideas are adequate to apply the theory, but that’s a risk that we take and should manage during the course. The pre-set ideas are integrated to attract people that are interested in entrepreneurship, but do not have their own idea. These ideas are fictive but formulated in such a way that they are adequate to apply course theory on. We won’t let group think of ideas on the spot, as that takes too long and probably yields unfavourable ideas.

There will always be teams that have a hard time due to discovering their idea isn’t as good as they thought it was or disagreement within the team. To mediate this to some extent, we’ll integrate sessions in the course that have nothing to do with your own idea. These sessions will remix the teams of participants for the time of the session.

In a nutshell, the following skills and knowledge will be highlighted during this course: 

Course topics

Course aims

After these days in the EntreneurialU track, you will be able to: 

Stay tuned for more upcoming information regarding the 2023 course!

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EntrepreneurialU 2022

Day
Arrival day: check in
Time:10:00 - 18:00
Day:Sun. 14-08

The registration point will be in the biggest tent. Please register as soon as you arrive. If you arrive earlier or later please contact us via curious@utwente.nl 

Meet-up and pizza
Time:18:00 - 20:00
Day:Sun. 14-08

Eat pizza and meet up with your fellow students!

Breakfast
Time:08:15 - 09:00
Day:Tue. 23-08

Have a breakfast first.

CuriousU Participants Departure
Time:09:00 - 10:00
Day:Tue. 23-08

The last day: please check out (i.e. returning the keys) and saying goodbye to all your new friends. By returning your key you will get back your deposit for the log cabin or student dorm (online refund).

Working on your idea
Time:14:00 - 17:00
Day:Fri. 19-08

Time to dig in and get work done. This afternoon is reserved to work on your business idea together with your team.

Breakfast & Inspiration
Time:08:15 - 09:30
Day:Fri. 19-08

Get your day off to an inspiring start by listening to one of our uplifting keynote speakers over breakfast. Once you’re all fired up, you’ll join in the morning session of your course for the day. 

Finance
Time:09:30 - 12:30
Day:Fri. 19-08

From the daily management of your business finances to finding investors to generate the necessary funding to start; this morning you’ll learn everything you need to know about start-up finance. To top things off, we’ve invited an actual investor for Q&A.

More information
Dinner
Time:18:00 - 20:00
Day:Fri. 19-08

Every night we serve you a fantastic dinner.

Music night
Time:20:00 - 23:00
Day:Fri. 19-08

Tonight we will have a great band night in our main tent! Next to that, a dj to play music and karaoke activity are planned for you!

Lunch: ExploreU
Time:12:30 - 14:00
Day:Fri. 19-08

After the first course sessions of the day you’ll then join the other festival-goers for a themed lunch in an informal, interactive setting. You will have the opportunity to learn more about yourself by doing some career and personality tests ! Do not miss the chance to try the VR Parachuting experience!

Free
Time:17:00 - 18:00
Day:Fri. 19-08

This hour is 100% free time: relax or use our sport facilities :-)

Assumptions & Intellectual Property
Time:14:00 - 17:00
Day:Tue. 16-08

This afternoon, you’ll learn how long-held assumptions may lead to catastrophic situations. During the plenary session following the lecture, the aim is to be as critical as possible towards the start-up ideas and the assumptions they are based on. Fail quick, learn and improve! The afternoon ends with a lecture with essential information on intellectual property for start-ups.

Breakfast & keynote
Time:08:15 - 09:30
Day:Tue. 16-08

Get your day off to an inspiring start by listening to one of our uplifting keynote speakers over breakfast. Once you’re all fired up, you’ll join in the morning session of your course for the day. 

Value Proposition
Time:09:30 - 12:30
Day:Tue. 16-08

This morning, we start with a workshop on value propositions. You’ll learn how value propositions can be used as foundation for your business.The Value Proposition Canvas is used as guideline to determine what is of actual value to your customer in a structured way.

More information
Dinner
Time:18:00 - 20:00
Day:Tue. 16-08

We serve you a fantastic dinner!

Game Night
Time:20:00 - 23:00
Day:Tue. 16-08

During this evening activity you can join our lean simulation game, dungeons and dragons and many more!

Lunch: Artist for a day
Time:12:30 - 14:00
Day:Tue. 16-08

After the first course sessions of the day you’ll then join the other festival-goers for a themed lunch in an informal, interactive setting. You will have the chance to get to know the programmes of our university and speak with representatives from our admissions office in case you are interested in continuing your studies here! During this lunch activity, you can also get to know the different student teams of our university.

Free
Time:17:00 - 18:00
Day:Tue. 16-08

This hour is 100% free time: relax or use our sport facilities :-)

Forming start-up teams and coaching
Time:14:00 - 17:00
Day:Mon. 15-08

In the afternoon, you’ll learn what type of team and qualities are required to effectively run a start-up. A part of this session will also be dedicated to the pitfalls of intercultural collaboration and how to effectively address these challenges. The available business ideas are pitched to the group, and teams are formed around these ideas. This afternoon finalises with a first coaching session and time for teams to lay the foundation for the rest of the week.

Breakfast & keynote
Time:08:15 - 09:30
Day:Mon. 15-08

We will kick-off breakfast and CuriousU with the first inspirational speech!

Meet & greet + course kick-off
Time:09:30 - 12:30
Day:Mon. 15-08

The track starts off with a meet & greet session. We’ll play some great icebreakers and introduction games so you get to know your fellow participants. This is followed by the course kick-off, including an introduction of the course contents, the staff and entrepreneurship in general.

More information
Dinner
Time:18:00 - 20:00
Day:Mon. 15-08
Stand Up Comedy
Time:20:00 - 22:30
Day:Mon. 15-08
Lunch: Taste the Netherlands
Time:12:30 - 14:00
Day:Mon. 15-08
Free
Time:17:00 - 18:00
Day:Mon. 15-08

This hour is 100% free time: relax or use our sport facilities :-)

Company visits
Time:14:00 - 17:00
Day:Thu. 18-08

This afternoon is filled with company visits to actual start-ups and scale-ups. You’ll be provided with some great reference material on what every phase of a start-up looks like in practice. Needless to say, there will also be time available to ask your burning questions about entrepreneurship to the actual entrepreneurs that founded these companies.

Breakfast & keynote
Time:08:15 - 09:30
Day:Thu. 18-08

Get your day off to an inspiring start by listening to our keynote speaker over breakfast. 

Business Modelling
Time:09:30 - 12:30
Day:Thu. 18-08

With a better understanding of the market and value, we can now dive deeper into all the important aspects of the daily operation of your start-up. This morning, we’ll have a workshop on business modelling which explains and applies the lean canvas as a fundamental part of your company structure. This is followed by spare time for each team to work on their own ideas.

More information
Dinner
Time:18:00 - 20:00
Day:Thu. 18-08

We go out for dinner at the city: Happy Italy

Summer sounds
Time:20:00 - 23:00
Day:Thu. 18-08

Enjoy the night in the city listening to some musical entertainment at Grolsch Summer Sounds.

Lunch: Playland
Time:12:30 - 14:00
Day:Thu. 18-08

After the first course sessions of the day you’ll then join the other festival-goers for a themed lunch in an informal, interactive setting.This is one of the most popular lunch activities where together with your fellow participants you can enjoy some outdoor games in the main festival area! Join us!

Free
Time:17:00 - 18:00
Day:Thu. 18-08

This hour is 100% free time: relax or use our sport facilities :-)

Finding your entrepreneurial spirit
Time:14:00 - 17:00
Day:Sun. 21-08

Sometimes, entrepreneurship means being able to hustle. This afternoon is reserved for a challenge that will test your bluffing skills and let you build confidence!

Breakfast & keynote
Time:08:15 - 09:30
Day:Sun. 21-08

Get your day off to an inspiring start by listening to our inspirational speaker over breakfast. 

Marketing & Storytelling
Time:09:30 - 12:30
Day:Sun. 21-08

This day you’ll learn how to make your company visible to the outside world through the use of marketing. Closely related, we’ll also teach you how to prepare and conduct a proper elevator pitch.

More information
Dinner
Time:18:00 - 20:00
Day:Sun. 21-08

Every night we serve you a fantastic dinner.

Escape Rooms
Time:20:00 - 23:00
Day:Sun. 21-08

We'll watch a cool movie together!

Lunch: Dutch Olympic Games
Time:12:30 - 14:00
Day:Sun. 21-08

After the first course sessions of the day you’ll then join the other festival-goers for a themed lunch in an informal, interactive setting.


During this lunch you can join a sand castle competition and a graffiti workshop!

Free
Time:17:00 - 18:00
Day:Sun. 21-08

This hour is 100% free time: relax or use our sport facilities :-)

Dragons Den & Creative Ideation
Time:14:00 - 17:00
Day:Mon. 22-08

After that, it’s time to enter the dragon's den and pitch your idea to a board of investors, tech experts and entrepreneurs. We’ll wrap up with a final workshop on creative ideation in order to help you find innovative new innovative business ideas in the future!

Breakfast & keynote
Time:08:15 - 09:30
Day:Mon. 22-08

Get your day off to an inspiring start by listening to our keynote speaker over breakfast.

Pitch training + preparation
Time:09:30 - 12:30
Day:Mon. 22-08

The temperature rises as the Dragons Den draws closer! You will have time available to work on your pitch and practice it to perfection. This morning finalises with a secret activity that will help you cope with the nerves for this afternoon's session (or does it?).

More information
Dinner
Time:18:00 - 20:00
Day:Mon. 22-08

Every night we serve you a fantastic dinner.

CuriousU Closing Ceremony
Time:20:00 - 23:00
Day:Mon. 22-08

This night we'll close off CuriousU 2022 with everyone and you'll receive your certificate.

Lunch: Cherishing Moments
Time:12:30 - 14:00
Day:Mon. 22-08

After the first course sessions of the day you’ll then join the other festival-goers for a themed lunch in an informal, interactive setting. Here is the chance to lock all the memories you made the last days into pictures! During that lunch break you also have the chance to break some pinatas!

Free
Time:17:00 - 18:00
Day:Mon. 22-08

This hour is 100% free time: relax or use our sport facilities :-)

Get out there!
Time:14:00 - 17:00
Day:Wed. 17-08

Time to practice your networking skills, and test your ideas, and assumptions by leaving your safe environment and going out there!

Breakfast & keynote
Time:08:15 - 09:30
Day:Wed. 17-08

Get your day off to an inspiring start by listening to one of our inspirational speakers over breakfast. Once you’re all fired up, you’ll join in the morning session of your course for the day. 

Market Analysis + Building confidence
Time:09:30 - 12:30
Day:Wed. 17-08

This morning, you’ll learn how to conduct a proper market analysis to create a deeper understanding of the market you’re in. Furthermore, we’ll work on building confidence so that networking and approaching people becomes easier and more fun.

More information
Dinner & Barbecue
Time:18:00 - 20:00
Day:Wed. 17-08

We will serve an amazing BBQ dinner tonight!

Beach volleyball tournament & DJ
Time:20:00 - 23:00
Day:Wed. 17-08

Enjoy a unique volleyball tournament together with your fellow CuriousU participants! Are you gonna be the winning team? Let's find out!

Lunch: C- your future
Time:12:30 - 14:00
Day:Wed. 17-08

After the first course sessions of the day you’ll then join the other festival-goers for a themed lunch in an informal, interactive setting. You can do one of the following lab tours: Behavioral Management and Sciences LabWearable Robotics Lab, combined tour in AeroAcoustic WindTunnel & Rapid Prototyping LabNanoLab or the Experimental Centre for Technical Medicine. Enjoy our dance workshop too!

Free
Time:17:00 - 18:00
Day:Wed. 17-08

This hour is 100% free time: relax or use our sport facilities :-)

Free day
Time:08:15 - 20:00
Day:Sat. 20-08

Enjoy your weekend and see you Monday!

Course details 

Date: 13-22 August 2023 (on campus)
Methods: Interactive lectures, team projects and individual presentations
Target groupAll students with an entrepreneurial spirit, including PhD students. Course Level: Intermediate/Advanced
Required knowledge: Interest in the valorization of scientific knowledge
Credits: 2 ECTS for successfully completing the summer school