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How to participate
Many people have clever, innovative ideas. You are probably one of them. But only a few have the guts to transform their idea into a successful startup. It is precisely this group of people who make a difference in our world. Why won’t you become one of those people?
In the Idea Stage, you will start writing your business plan. The deadline for handing in your business plan is the 6th of December 2024! We have clear guidelines and a format that will help you in this process. By handing in your business plan, you’ll enroll for our trajectory and will be one step closer to participating in the semi final! Our Business Panel will evaluate your business plan and provide you with personal feedback, whether you make it to the semi final or not.
Classification
At the Philips Innovation Award we have two leagues to enable startups from different stages in the maturity cycle to participate in our trajectory.
Innovator League
The startup is classified as an Innovator if it is registered at the Kamer van Koophandel (Dutch Chamber of Commerce) before the 1st of October 2024, for the 2025 edition.
Rough Diamond League
The startup is classified as Rough Diamond if it is not registered at the Kamer van Koophandel or has been registered at the Kamer van Koophandel after the 1st of October 2024, for the 2025 edition.
General conditions
Free of charge
Participation in the Philips Innovation Award is free of charge.
Sign up
Teams can sign up for participation during the Idea Stage (deadline: 6th of December 2024 at 23.59).
Participation Innovator League
A team that has reached the semi final in the Innovator League in a previous edition of the Philips Innovation Award is not allowed to enter the competition.
Participation Rough Diamond League
A team that has participated in the Rough Diamond League in a previous edition of the Philips Innovation Award, but has not reached the final, is allowed to participate in the Innovator League.
Team requirements
Idea owner
At least one of the team members must be the owner of the idea or, if a business based on this idea has already been founded, must be directly in charge of the business (as founder/owner, board member, director or any comparable role).
Team size
The team must consist of a minimum of one and a maximum of 10 FTEs.
Member age
At least 75% (rounded upwards) of the team’s Full-Time Employees (FTEs) must be aged 30 or younger on the 1st of October 2024. Current PhD students and those who graduated after the 1st of October 2021 are exempt from this requirement.
Member conditions
At least half of the team members (rounded upwards) must; be enrolled at a Dutch University, HBO or MBO, or; be a PhD student at a Dutch University, or; have graduated from one of such institutions after the 1st of October 2021.
Registered members
Teams with team members that are not registered in the application to the Philips Innovation Award will be disqualified.
FAQ
What is the Philips Innovation Award?
The Philips Innovation Award is the largest student-entrepreneur award in The Netherlands. The winner wins a prize worth €50.000. We don’t believe in a ‘the winner takes it all’ mentality: all participants benefit from the coaching, events and networking possibilities that our platform offers.
Who organises the Philips Innovation Award?
The Philips Innovation Award is an independent non-profit organisation that works in close cooperation with Philips. The organisation of the Award is led by a Board consisting of seven students from the Erasmus University Rotterdam.
Who can participate?
Participation is open for (teams with) students with an innovative idea or startup. If you have already started a business, your business should be younger than 3 years. Seventy-five percent of the team members must be aged 30 or younger on the 1st of October 2024. Read for more details Conditions of entry.
Do I need to be Dutch?
No. If you are an enrolled student (or have graduated within the last three years) at a school or University in the Netherlands you are welcome to participate. Please note that you are expected to visit a few events to be able to win the Philips Innovation Award. Read for more details Conditions of entry.
I’ve just graduated. Can I still participate?
Yes. If you’ve graduated within the last 3 years, you can still participate. Read for more details Conditions of Entry.
What do I need to hand in to participate?
You need to hand in your business plan before December 6th, 2024.
Is there any risk that my idea will get stolen?
No. All people who review your idea will sign a Confidentiality Agreement with the Philips Innovation Award. Nothing you tell or show us will be published or spread without your explicit permission.
What is the participation deadline?
The deadline for participation is the 6th of December 2024. Be aware that a business plan is required at this point.
Who has a chance to become the winner?
Above all, you! It’s often not the expected winner who wins. Your idea has every chance to win, even if it hasn’t been fully developed yet, or if you don’t have any experience in entrepreneurship.
How will the winner be chosen?
Our Business Panel of high profile entrepreneurs and professionals will read and give feedback on your plans. They will also select the semi finalists. The semi final jury consists of managers with an entrepreneurial spirit, and are representatives of our partners. They will choose the eight finalists. The final decision will be made by a jury consisting of captains of industry. This jury will be presided by the CEO of Philips, Roy Jakobs.
