PROTOTYPING SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS

The Prototyping Sustainable Solutions call for projects supports student entrepreneurs and recent graduates who are incubated or supported by a dedicated organisation in developing products, services or technologies at the prototyping stage that have a positive societal impact.

In practice

In collaboration with student incubators in Wallonia, Flanders and Brussels, the Prototyping Sustainable Solutions call for projects supports student entrepreneurs and recent graduates at the prototyping stage in developing a prototype of their product, service or technology with a positive societal impact, by providing:

a prototyping grant of up to €5,000
access to an extensive network of impact-focused organisations and individuals
media visibility
the opportunity to refine their projects based on constructive feedback from the jury

Why this call for projects?

The Prototyping Sustainable Solutions call for projects for student entrepreneurs and recent graduates is part of the Prototyping The Future programme. Launched in 2019 by the Foundation for Future Generations, this programme is supported by the Albert Vanhee Fund for Future Generations. Created in 2018 by Marguerite Vanhee in tribute to her father, Albert Vanhee, the Fund aims to help young project leaders take a decisive step: turning a promising idea into a concrete solution.

The support:

Comes at a key stage in the young entrepreneur’s journey
Provides crucial leverage, helping project leaders move closer to bringing their product, service or technology to market

“Beyond the financial support, the Foundation helped us enormously by connecting us with a network and raising our visibility. In addition, the jury that assessed our project gave us advice that proved extremely valuable during the early stages of the project.”

Casimir Morobé

Founder of Toqua, Prototyping Sustainable Solutions 2021 and SE’nSE 2021 laureate

The stages

1. Launch of the call for projects

Submission of applications.

2. Pre-selection by student incubators

The Foundation works with student incubators in Wallonia, Flanders and Brussels. The incubators pre-select sustainable initiatives led by student entrepreneurs and recent graduates for which a grant could provide crucial leverage. Applying through an incubator is a mandatory requirement.

3. Selection of the winning projects

A jury of experts from a range of sectors reviews the submitted projects and selects the most promising initiatives. The selected projects receive financial support to develop their prototypes.

4. Prototyping The Future Programme Laureates’ Meeting

The Prototyping meeting is an event dedicated to celebrating and exchanging ideas, bringing together the young entrepreneur laureates, incubators, the grant selection committee, the Foundation for Future Generations team, as well as stakeholders from the student entrepreneurship ecosystem and public and private supporters.

5. Future Generations Summit

The Foundation’s laureates are showcased at the must-attend event for impact projects and start-ups, organised by the Foundation for Future Generations at the end of each year.

Find out more