Step On The Box

Challenges

Future of Housing

In what ways can ZOwonen - a housing association in the Westelijke Mijnstreek - develop new products or services? What opportunities do you see for a new business model for ZOwonen?


  • Enthusiastic students from all fields of study

  • Engelenkampstraat 25, 6131 JD Sittard, Netherlands, Onsite
  • 22 May 2026
Deadline registration 15 May 2026
Apply now

DUC Brabant

DUC Brabant brings together students, startups, educational institutions, and organizations to drive societal impact in the Brabant region.


  • Student teams with their own Start ups, and individual students who would like to work on the business cases of our partners.

  • Sint Janssingel 92, 5211 DA 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands, Onsite
  • 28 May 2026
Deadline registration 21 May 2026
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Vion Food Group: From Manure to Value (DUC Brabant)

How can Vion Food Group turn manure from a disposal cost into a circular business opportunity? In this challenge, you will explore whether manure from slaughterhouse processes and supplier farms can be transformed into valuable products such as cellulose nanofibers (CNF) and liquid fertilizer. Your task is to investigate the business potential, financial feasibility, and environmental impact, including possible reductions in nitrogen emissions and CO2 footprint.


  • ambitious students who want to work on a real sustainability challenge with direct business impact and who are interested in circular economy, business modelling, innovation, or reducing environmental impact.

  • Sint Janssingel 92, 5211 DA 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands, Onsite
  • 28 May 2026
Deadline registration 27 May 2026
Apply now

Brabant Water- The Invisible Water Killer (DUC Brabant)

This challenge is about reducing hidden water losses at festivals by using smart measurement, digitalisation and data driven control of pipe flushing water. The goal is to lower overall drinking water use while ensuring safety and legionella prevention.


  • We are looking for students interested in data, digitalisation, sustainability and innovation. This challenge fits students in data science, engineering, IT, environmental sciences and business innovation who enjoy solving real world problems.

  • Sint Janssingel 92, 5211 DA 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands, Onsite
  • 28 May 2026
Deadline registration 27 May 2026
Apply now

Help ID Logistics Work Smarter and Safer (DUC Brabant)

Help ID Logistics find innovative and sustainable solutions that improve ergonomics and workplace safety in logistics operations. The challenge is to reduce physical strain on employees while supporting efficient, responsible and future proof transport and warehouse processes.


  • We are looking for students in automation, AI, engineering, healthcare, financial services and IT who can develop practical, cost efficient solutions to improve ergonomics, safety and efficiency within a modern logistics environment.

  • Sint Janssingel 92, 5211 DA 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands, Onsite
  • 28 May 2026
Deadline registration 27 May 2026
Apply now

BrabantWonen; More Homes, Less Grid (DUC Brabant)

BrabantWonen challenges students to develop a smart neighbourhood energy concept that enables new housing despite grid congestion. The focus is on sharing existing capacity, using local energy more efficiently, and reducing pressure on the public grid through innovative and future-proof solutions.


  • We are looking for students interested in sustainability, energy systems and innovation, especially in Urban Design, Electrical Engineering, Innovation Sciences, Industrial Design, Built Environment and related fields.

  • Sint Janssingel 92, 5211 DA 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands, Onsite
  • 28 May 2026
Deadline registration 27 May 2026
Apply now

Digital Twins for Social Good (DUC Brabant)


  • Enthusiastic students from all fields of study

  • Onsite
  • 28 May 2026
Deadline registration 27 May 2026
Apply now

De Zorg van Morgen Verdelen (DUC Brabant)

Ontwikkel een toekomstbestendige oplossing waarmee apotheken, huisartsen en andere zorgprofessionals slimmer kunnen samenwerken door taakherschikking, digitalisering en veilige gegevensuitwisseling.


  • We zoeken Nederlandstalige studenten met een achtergrond in: Informatica / Software Development en/of Gezondheidswetenschappen / Gezondheid & Technologie.

  • Sint Janssingel 92, 5211 DA 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands
  • 28 May 2026
Deadline registration 27 May 2026
Apply now

Every drop counts, optimization of an industrial spray dryer

Develop an integrated energy optimisation plan for SD42 and SD403 that: reduces energy consumption (gas + electricity) per tonne of product,increases process stability, provides input for the long-term energy transition (e.g. reduced gas dependency), is directly usable for decision-making.


  • Enthusiastic students from all fields of study

  • Neonweg 41, 3812 RE Amersfoort, Netherlands, Onsite
  • 10 Jun 2026
Deadline registration 3 Jun 2026
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Aging in 2055: What decisions does Incluzio need to make now?

What will aging look like in 2055? And what 2–3 strategic decisions must Incluzio make over the next three years to remain relevant, affordable, and people-centered by then?


  • Enthusiastic students from all fields of study.

  • Zaanstraat 126, 2314 XH Leiden, Netherlands, Onsite
  • 12 Jun 2026
Deadline registration 5 Jun 2026
Apply now

DUC

DUC brings together students, startups, educational institutions, and organizations to drive societal impact.


  • Student teams with their own Start ups, and individual students who would like to work on the business cases of our partners.

  • Onsite
  • 1 Jul 2026
Deadline registration 30 Jun 2026
Apply now

Samsung Solve for Tomorrow 2026

Samsung invites young people to take a closer look at real challenges in their communities and come up with creative, tech-based solutions that can truly make a difference. Along the way, you’ll receive support from professionals, take part in hands-on workshops, and get the chance to showcase your project on a bigger stage.


  • Youngsters between 17 and 25 years old from Belgium and the Netherlands!

  • Hybrid
  • 14 Oct 2026
Deadline registration 1 Oct 2026
Apply now

Completed Challenges

Brightlands Startup Challenge

The Brightlands Startup Challenge empowers the innovative potential of students in the Limburg region. Home to a diverse array of educational institutions, Limburg boasts a rich talent pool across various sectors. The challenge connects these bright minds with a locally invested international partner network, fostering an ideal environment for entrepreneurship and innovation.


  • Students who desire to develop solutions to societal and entrepreneurial issues.

  • Onsite
  • 30 Apr 2026
Registration closed
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Dutch SDG-Challenge Spring 2026

Practical working experience for students who want to be challenged and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals!


  • All students who are studing in The Netherlands and have affinity with sustainability or who want to gain real-life working experience!

  • Hybrid
  • 23 Apr 2026
Registration closed
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Bayer SDG-Challenge Spring 2026

Investigate how ICM has developed over time and make future projections considering current trends in agriculture. How can ICM become more practical and accessible for farmers?


  • Wageningse Afweg 31, 6702 PD Wageningen, Netherlands, Hybrid
  • 23 Apr 2026
Registration closed
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DSV SDG-Challenge Spring 2026

How can DSV optimise the charging planning of its electric trucks to maximise driving time, minimise downtime, and reduce driver waiting time?


  • Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, Data

  • Hybrid
  • 23 Apr 2026
Registration closed
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SDG-Challenge Portugal Spring 2026


  • All students who are interested in making real-life change in the Alentejo region of Portugal.

  • Onsite
  • 20 Apr 2026
Registration closed
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Afriflora SDG-Challenge Spring 2026

How can Afriflora internally position, justify and structure the transition from diesel-powered energy systems to solar energy solutions in a way that is financially convincing, strategically aligned and organizationally feasible? The focus is not on engineering design, but on internal decision-making, stakeholder alignment and investment justification.


  • Students from backgrounds such as: ● Business Administration ● Finance ● Sustainability ● Supply Chain Management ● Operations Management ● Strategy ● Public Policy

  • Legmeerdijk 313, 1431 GB Aalsmeer, Netherlands, Hybrid
  • 15 Apr 2026
Registration closed
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Ministerie van Sociale Zaken en Werkgelegenheid SDG-Challenge Spring 2026

What does the ideal work of the future look like? And how do we support people through government policy if unemployment or illness occurs in that context? How do we keep the system workable and manageable?


  • All students who have an interest in this topic

  • Parnassusplein 5, 2511 VX Den Haag, Netherlands, Hybrid
  • 14 Apr 2026
Registration closed
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Help Anatech reduce the usage, temperature, energy consumption, and flow rate of cooling water

Anatech currently uses tap water to cool analytical instruments during internal testing, which leads to high water consumption and rising costs. A more sustainable and controlled cooling solution is needed without compromising test accuracy.


  • Enthusiastic students from all fields of study

  • Nieuwstadterweg 3, 6136 KN Sittard, Netherlands, Onsite
  • 9 Apr 2026
Registration closed
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Kiwa SDG-Challenge Spring 2026

Water Flow Map + Baseline on a Single A4 Create a simple visual map showing where water enters a location, where it is used, and where it flows out. In addition, provide an initial baseline based on 3–4 straightforward indicators, such as: - liters of water per day - main water‑using processes or equipment - cost per 1,000 liters - where possible: indirect water consumption (a rough estimate is sufficient) Top 3 Water Users & High‑Potential Quick Wins Identify the top three areas where the most water is used or wasted. For each area, describe: - what happens there - why it consumes a lot of water - which improvement actions are feasible - the potential savings in liters and euros


  • Enthusiastic students in; - Data analysis - Technical backgrounds (e.g. watermanagement) - Marketing/communication - Business/economics & business - Combination of students fluent in Dutch & English

  • Kuipersveld, Wilmersdorf 50, 7327 AC Apeldoorn, Netherlands, Hybrid
  • 9 Apr 2026
Registration closed
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Help BNG Emissies te Compenseren

BNG wil netto nul CO₂ in 2050; Restemissies moeten gecompenseerd worden. Bedenk hoe BNG CO₂ kan compenseren in Nederland: mechanismen, stappenplan en kosten.


  • Studenten met een achtergrond in economie, data of duurzaamheid

  • Bordewijklaan 18, 2591 XR Den Haag, Netherlands, Onsite
  • 7 Apr 2026
Registration closed
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Twin Transition Challenge

The Twin Transition Challenge mobilizes students and businesses in South Africa to create digital solutions for a greener future. By tackling real-world challenges, participants explore how technology and innovation can drive both environmental impact and economic opportunity.


  • The Twin Transition Challenge is for ambitious 3rd-year Bachelor and Master’s students from top universities in Cape Town & Johannesburg who want to tackle real-world sustainability challenges from forward-thinking companies through digital innovation.

  • Upper Pepper Workspace, 14 Pepper St, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa, Hybrid
  • 6 Apr 2026
Registration closed
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Help Vesteda understand biodiversity in their residential complexes

At Vesteda, we want to make biodiversity at our complexes transparent and improve it.


  • Students with a background or interest in biodiversity, ecology, biology, data science, BI, or real estate.

  • De Boelelaan 759, 1082 RR Amsterdam, Netherlands, Hybrid
  • 31 Mar 2026
Registration closed
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