About the DUC Brabant
The DUC Brabant is part of the Dutch University Challenge (DUC), which is the largest student innovation- and entrepreneurship competition in the Netherlands.
During the DUC Brabant: students, startups, universities (hbo & wo) and leading companies collaborate to tackle real-world societal challenges and turn ideas into impactful solutions.
The best startup from the DUC Brabant will be nominated to compete in the national DUC Grand Final.
Join as a Startup Join as a Company Join as a StudentWhy participate?
Become part of the innovative ecosystem and expand your network!
Make an impact by solving societal or company challenges!
Find your future colleague and keep talent in the Brabant region!
Boost your startup with a cash prize, valuable networking opportunities, and a chance to pitch on the national DUC stage!
Company Challenges
DUC Brabant
DUC Brabant brings together students, startups, educational institutions, and organizations to drive societal impact in the Brabant region.
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Student teams with their own Start ups, and individual students who would like to work on the business cases of our partners.
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Hybrid
- 28 May 2026
Innovation just with cooperation
Rijkswaterstaat (RWS) plays a central role in promoting sustainability within Dutch road construction. Under the transition pathway "Pavement," RWS focuses on reducing raw material use, promoting high-quality recycling, and making asphalt production more sustainable. With the ambition to become climate-neutral and circular by 2030, RWS is intensifying its efforts in this area.
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International HBO and WO Students
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5223 MD 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands, Onsite
- 1 July 2025
Improving the surface of a (freshly blown) PET bottle without the use of additives
From time to time the application of a shrink sleeve label on a (freshly blown) PET bottle is disturbed by unwanted forces between bottle and sleeve. The source of those forces is not known and it doesn't happen always.
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Students in the field of Material Science, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering or any other related fields
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5753 DB Deurne, Netherlands, Onsite
- 27 Nov 2025
Timeline DUC Brabant
DUC Brabant Innovation Day
Innovation and entrepreneurship take center stage today. The program consists of two main components:
- Company Challenges: Students and industry experts collaborate to tackle real-world challenges from leading regional companies.
- DUC Brabant Startup Pitches: Ten nominated startups pitch their ideas to a professional jury and the audience. The winner will represent Brabant during the National DUC Grand Final.
Innovation Summits
Solving real-world challenges is the aim of the summits. Students and industry experts join forces to design, prototype and develop impactful innovations.
Do you want to work on a challenge of one of our partner companies?
Join now!National DUC Grand Final
The top 10 startups and innovations from across the Netherlands are selected to take the stage during the prestigious National DUC Grand Final.
A professional jury and an audience of industry experts, investors, educational representatives and students will determine which startup is the most impactful and crowned the winner of DUC 2026!
Go to National DUC
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