On Monday 13 April, Tilburg University, Eindhoven University of Technology, TIAS, IQONIC, The Gate, Round One, and JADS are organizing the annual Startup Night.
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Startup Night 2026 – Curiosity Connects
Startup Night 2026 – Curiosity Connects
Contact a Program Adviser
This year, the event will take place on the campus in Eindhoven under the theme “Curiosity Connects.” Join the Startup Night to make new connections, share knowledge and experiences, expand your network, and support the next generation of entrepreneurs.
This event celebrates the innovative and collaborative strength of our region, where many successful startups have emerged. The evening also highlights the importance of cooperation and knowledge sharing within our academic entrepreneurial networks. Alumni from both universities will share their stories.
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In short
Date: 13 April 2026
Time: 17.00 - 21.00
Registration is free of charge. You can register here.
This event is in English
The Startup Night alternates between the campuses of Tilburg University and Eindhoven University of Technology. In 2027, the event will return to the Tilburg campus.
Program
17.00 hour
Registration with a light bite and drinks.
18.00 hour
Plenary program including an introduction, two startup presentations, a Q&A session, and short pitches from other startups in the audience.
19.30 hour
Networking reception where startups can connect and meet each other.
More about the program
We start the evening with a light bite, reconnect with familiar faces, and meet new alumni across our universities.
Setting the scene
A dynamic Q&A with rectores magnifici Silvia Lenaerts and Wim van de Donk of our institutions, exploring the importance of a strong innovation ecosystem for Brabant — and how curiosity shapes their vision and leadership.
Exclusive reveal
The official launch of a brand-new collaboration on a pre-seed fund by John Bell & Ton Backx. Be among the first to hear what this means for early-stage deep tech founders in the region.
Startup inspiration: two founder stories from:
Neople - Neople creates AI-powered, trainable "digital colleagues" that integrate with existing platforms like Slack or Teams to automate customer support and routine, time-consuming tasks for e-commerce and service teams.
Avendar - Avendar develops advanced, sustainable, and energy-efficient climate control solutions for agricultural and industrial applications, focusing on optimizing indoor environments for enhanced productivity.
Lightning pitches
Short, energetic pitches from emerging startups ready to share their ideas and seek your input.
A Smarter Way to Connect
To help you make meaningful connections, we’re using a friendly and intuitive networking app. Browse the attendee list, discover shared interests, and plan short meetups during the event. Whether you're looking to support a founder, find a collaborator, reconnect with fellow alumni, or simply explore new ideas, the app helps you turn spontaneous encounters into lasting connections.
Let curiosity guide you — and let the app make it easy.
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Why You Don’t Want to Miss This
(Re)connect with alumni and peers from our universities who share your drive to learn and build
Discover how complementary expertise strengthens Brabant’s innovation ecosystem
Be the first to hear about a new investment fund for early-stage startups
Gain inspiration from real startup journeys
Enjoy low-threshold, high-value networking in a lively setting
Aftermovie Startup Night 2024
Watch the aftermovie of the 2024 Startup Night here! It was an evening filled with inspiring stories, fresh ideas, and meaningful connections around climate, energy transition, and entrepreneurship.