Do you have an innovative idea that solves a real problem?
The Best Idea Cup 2026 invites students of Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences (HSRW) to turn innovative ideas into real opportunities. Whether your idea is technical, sustainable, digital, social, or from another field, the competition gives you a platform to present your idea, receive expert feedback, connect with the HSRW start-up community, and develop it further towards a potential start-up scholarship application.
Best Idea Cup is organised by StartGlocal at the Centre for Research, Innovation and Transfer and welcomes early-stage ideas. You do not need a finished business model, prototype, or previous start-up experience. What matters is solving a relevant problem, offering clear value to your target group, and showing the motivation to develop your idea further. The competition is open only to enrolled HSRW students, who may apply individually or as a team.
Apply by 10 May 2026.
7 reasons to participate
Why participate? Best Idea Cup 2026 offers practical support, visibility, and opportunities to develop your idea further.
Prize money for the top 3 ideas
1st place: 1.200 €
2nd place: 600 €
3rd place: 400 €
Up to 12 months of start-up coaching
Including support for possible next steps such as start-up scholarships
Certificate of participation
awarded to all
finalist teams
Visibility for your idea
Through StartGlocal and HSRW channels
Expert feedback
On the strengths and potential of your concept
Pitch training
Through a dedicated finalists’ workshop
Access to the start-up community
At HSRW and in the region
The prize money is provided by the Förderverein der Hochschule Rhein-Waal, Förderverein Campus Cleve e.V., and Förderverein Camp-Lintfort e.V..
Important milestones
1. Idea paper submission
To apply for Best Idea Cup 2026, please submit your idea paper by 10 May 2026 at startglocal@hsrw.eu.
Idea Paper
The idea paper must be max. 3 pages long, in PDF format, and written in English or German.
It should cover following topics:
Problem and idea: What real problem are you addressing, and what is your product or service idea?
Target group and benefit: Who is your idea for, and what value does it offer?
Market, competition and innovation: Are there similar solutions on the market, and what makes your idea different?
Current stage and next steps: How far has your idea been developed, and what are your next steps?
Team or individual behind the idea: Who is behind the idea, and what skills and motivation do you bring?
Your application email should include the idea paper, the subject line “Best Idea Cup 2026: Title of your idea”, the names of all team members, their degree programmes and semesters, their email addresses, and at least one phone number.
2. Internal evaluation
Applications will be reviewed by the StartGlocal and Centre for Research, Innovation and Transfer teams. By 15 May 2026, 8 finalist teams will be selected based on the submitted idea papers and the evaluation criteria below, and notified by email and/or phone. Finalists will then receive further information on the pitch format and presentation requirements.
3. Powerful Pitch workshop
On 27 May 2026, all 8 finalists will join a Powerful Pitch Workshop at Campus Kleve to prepare their final pitch, with a focus on clear pitching and strong visual design.
4. Pitch final
The final takes place on 17 June 2026 at the Centre for Research, Innovation and Transfer of HSRW, Campus Kleve, Building 13, 3rd floor.
Each team presents its idea in a 5-minute pitch, followed by 3 minutes of questions from the jury. 3 winners (first, second, and third place) will be announced afterwards. The final pitch may be held in English or German and will be evaluated based on the criteria below.
The final is a non-public event that provides a focused and protected setting for participating teams. The jury includes representatives from the regional start-up scene, academia, support organisations, and companies.
5. Further support after the competition
From 1 July 2026, finalists can continue developing their ideas through voluntary StartGlocal coaching for up to 12 months, adapted to individual needs. They also gain access to the HSRW and regional start-up community and support network.
Evaluation criteria
Problem and idea: How relevant is the problem, and how convincing is the proposed solution?
Target group and benefit: Is it clear who the idea is for and what value it creates?
Market, competition, and innovation: Does the idea show awareness of existing solutions, and does it offer something distinctive and innovative?
Feasibility and development potential: Does the idea appear realistic enough to develop further, and are the next steps plausible?
Team: Does the individual or team appear motivated, credible, and capable of moving the idea forward?
Ready to take the next step?
Best Idea Cup 2026 is your chance to develop your idea further and gain valuable feedback.
Submit your application by 10 May 2026 to startglocal@hsrw.eu.
Apply now!Confidentiality and data protection
Your data and idea description will be available only to the StartGlocal team and jury members and will be treated as confidential. The data and the idea description will not be passed on to third parties without your prior consent. With respect to patent rights and trademarks, the idea will only be used for marketing purposes with your consent. Publications regarding the content of the awarded entries will only be made with the consent of the participants.
