This year, first-year MADE students are dealing with a new set-up of the courses Metropolitan Data 2 and Entrepreneurial Skills 2.
The courses are now combined and students had to develop data-driven entrepreneurial projects during the four weeks the courses were running. On February 1st, the students pitched their projects in front of a jury of professionals.
The jury appreciated the relevance of all the projects pitched and were very impressed by the high quality of the pitches.
The jury was composed of the following members:
- Melchior Kanyemesha (Energy Innovation Officer, CTO Innovation Team),
- Laura van den Boogert (Project leader Startup in Residence Sustainability, CTO Innovation Team),
- Saskia Verstege (Asif Ventures)
- Marije Wassenaar (AMS Institute - Program Manager New Business Innovations)
The Winners
The two winners had concepts that convinced the jury both on feasibility and impact for the city of Amsterdam. The jury appreciated that both of them developed a prototype of the product as well.
The winning teams are Cushy, who developed a cherry pit blanket as a substitute for the terrace heaters in Amsterdam and Boombrix, who designed a recycled plastic brick that monitors tree health - and even created their own website!
All members of the jury also had their own personal favorite, such as the project ‘luieren’ for diaper waste, the public sharing of storm umbrella service at stations and the application for recycling and exchanging furniture. Finally the best and most original pitch was given by the team who developed an idea for the waste problem around the Johan Cruijf Arena: they dressed up as Ajax supporters during the pitch and really stole the show!
The Hooligans - on how to tackle waste at the Johan Cruijf Arena, won the mention for most original pitch.
“It was great building our first working Internet of Things device, which will measure how much water trees in our cities need! But it's even better to win one of two best pitches of today. Will keep you updated on our next plans but tree watering is global market so let's keep our fingers crossed!”
Jakub Supera, MSc MADE first-year student and co-founder of Boombrix, one of the winning projects
What's Next?
Some of the entrepreneurial concepts will be further developed after the course. The two winning pitches, Boombrix and Cushy, can attend the Lean Startup training of the Amsterdam Startup, get introduced to ‘the sustainability challenge owners’ at the municipality, for whom their projects were designed.
They will also be able to attend a startup lunch with the current startups of the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area program. There they will find the opportunity to ask for advice and get tips on how to develop their own startup.
