Three HvA startup’s awarded with HBO-Take Off grant
January 12, 2023Last december three out of nine HBO Take-Off grants by SIA have been awarded to HvA startup teams. Each startup will be granted € 40.000 to continue their research on the development of their innovative startups. Rollar, WasteBase and SwitchCase started their entrepreneurial journey at HvA’s 10K Incubator program.
These three startups aim to develop innovative products that can make a social impact and/or sustainable difference for a better future. Each of them started with an idea and nurtured it to a feasible and realistic product during the 10K Incubator program. Afterwards they went the extra mile to obtain grants in order to bring their innovative and socially impactful products to market with the guidance and support from the HvA Venture Center and IXA. With these grants the startup teams can research technical and economic opportunities and risks of their startup idea. Their endurance proved to be successful as one out of third of the chosen HBO Take-Off participants were student startup teams from AUAS.
Rollar
The student entrepreneurs 
at Rollar developed a walking cane with an innovative ball at the tip for people with blindness and those that are visually impaired. The Roller ball can rotate 360 degrees which makes it easier to roll over resistive objects and lasts longer than other walking canes. With this grant, Rollar plans to develop multiple prototypes so they can test the functionality in longer-term use of a cane that contains the Rollar ball.
SwitchCase
Anyone traveling needs the necessary space to carry personal belongings. The SwitchCase entrepreneurs developed a convenient rental service for travel cases in different sizes. During the feasibility study, SwitchCase aims to conduct a market survey of consumer wants and needs to find out if their rental service has the potential to serve as a sustainable alternative in the future.
Wastebase
Residual materials from the Dutch industry often end up in residual waste. WasteBase team saw an opportunity to make these materials innovatively sustainable through offering the materials to student designers and startups. To realize this WasteBase want to develop a platform where producers can offer their residual materials for a reasonable price. With the HBO Take-Off grant, this startup plans to develop and test their online platform with both target groups.
About HvA’s 10 K program
HvA Bachelor students have access to the 10k Pre incubator program. The program offers coaching and guidance in developing innovative and/ or sustainable ideas into a start-up during a 20 week program.
More news
Tackling learning difficulties in Academic Workplace
The Academic Workplace Rudolf Berlin Center (AW RBC) aims to make a meaningful contribution by supporting young people with learning disabilities through enhanced education and care.
News
Contribute to Amsterdam’s Future: test your innovation at SAIL and the Amsterdam Marathon
Are you looking for a testing ground for your innovation? SAIL and the Amsterdam Marathon present an excellent opportunity to test your ideas. These major events attract millions of visitors and come with sustainability, accessibility, and logistical challenges that need fresh solutions. The In Residence Events program allows you to test your innovation during these […]
News
VU researchers develop research equipment to identify contaminants in water
Water, comprising over 70% of our planet, is the source of all life. The presence of emerging contaminants in our water, including pharmaceuticals, pose serious health and environmental risks, such as DNA damage, reproductive issues, and cancer. New equipment to detect these contaminants developed by VU researchers has been sold to other research groups all over the world. Now the researchers are taking the next step, together with IXA, to expand sales to water companies worldwide as well as other applications such as food and drug discovery research.
News