Innofest

Do you study at a university of applied sciences in Amsterdam and want to make an impact? Would you like to learn how to solve a social problem through innovation? Then join ValidatieLab MDT and develop your talent in entrepreneurship and innovation. In 2026, students will have the opportunity to take part in this innovation program, where learning and making an impact are central. Curious what this looks like in practice? Watch the video of the first edition of Validatielab MDT at Kwaku Festival 2025 below.

Stay up to date here with updates, the registration period, and more information (no obligations, completely non-binding).

What is ValidationLab MDT?

ValidatieLab MDT (Maatschappelijke Diensttijd; community service) is a programme by the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences and Innofest, in which you work together with other motivated students on solutions to local social challenges. You go through an intensive track of interactive workshops, networking events, and a testing phase at a festival. This is the perfect opportunity to test your innovative idea in practice and gather feedback from a broad audience. Don’t have a concrete idea yet, but excited to make an impact? You are more than welcome too! Read here about the experience of passionate students—and now entrepreneurs—Patricia, Salfa, and Tirza, who tested their prototype during Kwaku Festival 2025.

Why would you participate?

> Develop your talents and competencies in entrepreneurship and innovation.

> Work in a diverse team on a real solution for a local problem.

> Receive coaching from experienced professionals at the HvA Venture Center and Innofest.

> Test your prototype at Kwaku Festival in Amsterdam and receive valuable feedback.

> Expand your network and meet inspiring entrepreneurs and experts.

> Have a chance to gain recognition and prizes for the most promising innovations.

> Receive a certificate with your achieved competencies and milestones.

The program

The program consists of 10 workshops, where you will learn step by step how to validate an idea and develop it into a prototype. The process consists of three phases:

Problem validation & value creation
You research societal challenges and develop innovative solutions. This is done using methods like design thinking and the business model canvas.
Prototype testing at Kwaku Festival
You test your innovation in the real world and gather feedback from visitors.
Presentation & networking
On the final day, you pitch your prototype to a jury and other stakeholders. This is an opportunity to take your idea further and make valuable connections.

Who is it for?

The programme is intended for students from the University of Amsterdam (HvA) and other universities based in Amsterdam who are interested in innovation, entrepreneurship, and social impact. You will work in a team on a theme that appeals to you, such as climate, circularity, health, food, water, or social impact.

Interested and want to stay informed? Sign up for the interest list here.

About Innofest

Innofest offers startups and scaleups the chance to test prototypes at living labs, to kickstarting their success. By validating key assumptions at an early stage, startups increase their innovation’s chances of success and extract crucial evidence for investors or launching customers.

Since its foundation in 2016, Innofest has guided more than 230 test cases at festivals and living labs in this way. We do this using our own validated test methodology. Download the whitepaper in which we set out our methodology.