on Thursday, July 10, 2025 the time has come: the very first final of the ICD Student Award. In this exciting final round, three students pitch their innovative internship or graduation project to an expert jury and audience. The winner receives a unique trophy and a cash prize of €1.500,-. In addition, of course, eternal glory within the Innovatiecluster Drachten as the first winner of this Award!
A surprising introduction
Perhaps this finale comes as a surprise to you as a reader - we understand that. In the run-up to this first edition, communication was deliberately kept relatively internal. This year's award had the character of a pilot, aimed at students doing internships or graduate research at one of the affiliated ICD companies. This allowed us to quietly test and optimize the format.
This is how the first edition went
The application period ran from May 8 to 26. Students could compete by submitting a short video pitch of their project. At June 20 the three finalists have been announced. They will present their project live on July 10 in front of a professional jury and an audience of professionals, teachers, fellow students and family.
Program
The finals will take place at the SKILL building on the grounds of Philips. Each finalist will have about 8 to 10 minutes to present his or her project, followed by questions from the judges and audience. A total of 15 minutes is reserved for each pitch. The jury consists of representatives from industry, academia and government.
2:45 - 3:00 p.m. | Walk-in
15:00 | Opening by Joost Krebbekx
3:15 p.m. | Introduction by Thom Verwater
The presentations, order:
- Lucia Kalkman - ASTRON
- Thomas Jensma - Philips
- Maurice Wijker - Batenburg Bones
3:55 - 4:15 p.m. | Jury deliberations
16:15 | Presentation of the check by jury chairman Pieter van der Zwan
4:30 p.m. | Summer drinks
The jury consists of:
† Pieter van der Zwan (Smallingerland alderman)
† Cesar Mol (Viventris)
† Prof. B. Jayawardhana (University of Groningen)
From 2026: ICD Student Award expands!
The response is already enthusiastic, which is why we are proud to announce: the ICD Student Award will become an annual event! Indeed, starting in 2026, the award will be expanded. Then also MBO students compete with their internship or thesis project at one of the ICD partners.
In this way, we are building a stronger connection between education and innovation, and giving young technical talent from across the Northern Netherlands the stage they deserve.
Would you like to attend the finals on July 10?
Sign up using this form: https://forms.gle/bMzNUqpDc3U69MdJ6
Want to know more or join next year?
Send a mail to info@icdrachten.nl
