Start-up Voucher & Coaching Program

Do you have an innovative idea and want to kick-start your own company? Do you need funding to build a prototype and coaching in the process of developing your own business? This is all possible through the Aerospace Start-up Voucher Program; turn your idea into reality with funding, coaching, and a network of innovators!

Aerospace Start-up Voucher
With the Start-up Voucher Program, the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering (AE) and the Aerospace Innovation Hub aim to scout, create, and otherwise support start-ups. By lowering the financial barrier, AE students can bridge the gap between research and entrepreneurship by developing their innovative idea and turning it into a business. There are two application moments each year; the deadline of the next round is the 5th of January 2025.

Funding
The basis of the Aerospace Start-up Voucher is a maximum financial support of € 2.500 in the production of a prototype, or for the making of a ‘proof of principle’ for new technologies. This idea needs to be research-based and the voucher must be used to develop a concrete result.

Coaching
Starting a company requires more than ‘just a brilliant idea’. To guide you to the next step on the exciting but also challenging road of launching your idea, the Aerospace Innovation Hub offers coaching and networking support. If you participate in the Startup Voucher Program, you will be linked to a professional who will help you throughout the first six months. He will improve your entrepreneurial skills, ask the critical questions that are so important and guide you through the process of developing the first steps to your successful start-up. Additionally, you will join the community of the Aerospace Innovation Hub @TUD which is full of ambitious and likeminded people that are willing to help you out.

Network
You will become part of a community of innovators and entrepreneurs through the Aerospace Innovation Hub. The AIH brings together aerospace startups, student teams, corporates and ecosystem enablers in order to support and enable aerospace innovation.

Target Group
The Aerospace Start-up Voucher is available for BSc- and MSc students, as well as PhD candidates at the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering. You should have an innovative and scalable idea related to Aerospace Engineering and an ambition to start your own company. Graduated BSc- and MSc students and PhD candidates can apply within 6 months after graduation or promotion. When applying, you should also be able to make clear what the synergy for TU Delft and your start-up would be.

Application Process
The process of the Aerospace Start-up Voucher consists of several steps:

Application: Apply by filling out the application form found on the Delft Campus website. The deadline for the next round is January 5th 2025. Note that you can only receive one Aerospace Start-up Voucher per project. It is allowed to also apply for the other vouchers available on the Delft Campus website;
Pre-selection: After the application deadline, all application forms will be evaluated. A pre-selection will be made based on the adherence to program objective and target group criteria;
Pitches: The applications that passed the pre-selection will be invited to pitch their ideas to the selection committee, consisting of academia and professionals. Your application will be reviewed based on the following criteria:
- Ambition to launch a start-up, entrepreneurial skills, the team and attitude;
- Novelty, technical feasibility, and commercial potential of the idea;
- Project approach and planning.
The selection committee will decide upon the winners of the Aerospace Start-up Voucher.
Start Program: When your application has been approved by the selection committee, a contract will be sent to you and the program will soon be kicked off!