Wrap up: Enschede Slush’D returns even bigger

This year, the organization, which was in the hands of Novel-T and REACH, attracted even more visitors than last year. With that, the event did justice to their slogan: ‘Where seeds sprout and grow even bigger.’ Initiator Mike Verkouter (MT member at Novel-T): “Last year, it was already an ambitious project, and we asked ourselves how we could make it even bigger this year. That is why we expanded to 522 visitors, including more than 250 startup founders, 57 speakers, 4 stages, and even more confetti. Together with our partners, we have again created a successful edition that has firmly put the region on the map.”

Pitch competition

Visitors came from more places than just Twente. Guests also came from abroad to experience Enschede Slush’D. Vinod Subramaniam, president of the University of Twente, opened the event: “It is fantastic that this event takes place on the campus of the University of Twente. It almost naturally feels like the most entrepreneurial university in the Netherlands. The vibe here is great and fits the university perfectly: trying new things, pursuing new ideas, and daring to take risks.” A number of the young entrepreneurs who were central were the participants in the pitch competitions. In the category ‘crazy ones,’ Thoughtful-Oasis won, and in the ‘science-based’ category, Phos4nova took home the win. They both won a ticket to Slush in Helsinki. The grand prize of €10,000 ultimately went to the University of Twente spin-off FETCH, which offers doctors a tool that provides more insight into how cancer patients are doing by detecting tumor cells.

On stage

The stage also featured prominent names such as Koen Droste (co-founder of Polarsteps), Rinke Zonneveld (CEO Invest-NL), Martin Wijnen (director-general Rijkswaterstaat), and Anna Christmann (member of the German Bundestag). The speakers were a reflection of the visitors, with (startup) founders, investors, and people from the government. Giels Brouwer, co-founder of Akela Hub and formerly SciSports, was also one of the speakers: “It is great to be back on campus and to see what kind of enterprising people are walking around here. Moreover, everyone here is willing to talk to each other. This is where Twente entrepreneurship really comes to light.” After the sessions, there was a barbecue and entertainment by singer Fons Veurink. The evening ended in the tradition of Slush with a big karaoke.

World cities

The big news followed last year quite quickly after the previous edition that Novel-T and REACH would be allowed to organize Enschede Slush’D again this year. Not a given, Mike knows. “Only a select number of innovation ecosystems worldwide are allowed to organize a Slush’D. For example, Enschede is the only ecosystem in the Netherlands that organizes the event. That puts us between world cities such as New Delhi, Zagreb, Liverpool, and Nairobi.” It is not yet known whether Enschede Slush’D will return in 2025. Slush will decide that. But the organization of this Dutch edition is hopeful: “We are incredibly proud of what we have achieved here again.

Photography: Eric Brinkhorst & Shotmaniacs