On Thursday 3 December 2026, the University of Twente, Saxion, Chiptech Twente and Novel-T will be organising the Chiptech Creathon. This is a one-day event during which students will tackle challenges set by the business community. Themes for the challenges could include, for example, sustainability, energy, digitalisation, security, etc., all related to chip technology. The event will take place at the University of Twente’s Designlab.
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In a creathon (a hackathon focused on creativity), students work together in teams on a challenge set by the business community to develop an innovative business idea. This might involve, for example, devising new products, concepts or services. The outcome of each team’s work is a business idea or concept, which they will pitch as a team to the challenge providers and a jury.
Around 100 students from various fields of study are expected to attend. They will be divided into approximately 20 groups. There is scope for 4–5 challenges.
What’s in it for you:
- New insights and inspiration regarding your future challenges.
- Opportunities to network with (international) students and lecturers from the University of Twente.
- Exposure for your organisation.
What is expected of your organisation:
- Drawing up a challenge (Novel-T can help with this);
- Attendance at the creathon on 3 December;
- Please note: the working language is English.
The programme is roughly as follows:
08:30 | 08:45 Welcome with coffee and tea
08:45 | 08:50 Start & Welcome
08:50 | 09:15 Introduction to challenge providers and an introduction to a creathon
09:15 | 11:45 Diving into the challenges (Engage & Investigate)
11:45 | 12:15 Feedback session with challenge providers
12:15 | 12:45 Lunch
12:45 | 15:00 Developing a business idea (Act)
15:00 | 16:00 Pitches
16:00 | 16:20 Keynote
16:20 | 17:30 Final round with a Dragon’s Den
17:30 | Closing & drinks
If your organisation would like to find out more or take part in this creathon, please contact Tim Jongman (t.jongman@novelt.com) or Pam Huisintveld (p.huisintveld@novelt.com).
Background information
Briefly provide the context students need to understand the organisation and the challenge.
- What does the organisation do and for whom?
- What developments or circumstances are at play?
- Who are the key target groups and stakeholders?
Problem statement
Describe the underlying problem or ambition, without yet working towards a solution.
- What isn’t working at the moment, or what opportunity remains untapped?
- For whom is this a problem, and what are the consequences?
- Why has the issue not yet been resolved?
- What will happen if nothing changes?
Challenge
- Formulate a single open-ended question that allows for multiple potential solutions.Preferably use: How can we …?
- Focus the question on the desired change or impact.
- Mention only the necessary preconditions.
- Check that the question does not contain a solution, such as an app, dashboard, campaign or platform.
Example
Too specific: How can we develop an AI dashboard that enables chip manufacturers to monitor their energy consumption in the cleanroom in real time?
Open challenge: How can we help chip manufacturers make their production process more energy-efficient without compromising on quality, safety and delivery reliability?
