Join us!

Welcome to Erasmus Startup Hub

We foster innovation, support entrepreneurship, and drive meaningful impact in communities and beyond.

WHAT WE DO?

We foster innovation, support entrepreneurship, and drive meaningful impact in communities and beyond.

Our program offers hands-on experience to help you build startups from the ground up. Whether you’re a founder with a groundbreaking idea or an aspiring co-founder ready to tackle challenges, we provide the tools, resources, and guidance you need to succeed.

We believe in ownership and leadership. Participants take charge of their entrepreneurial journey, gaining practical experience in ideation, market validation, launch strategies, and scaling operations. With a strong emphasis on sustainability and economic viability, we ensure your venture doesn’t just succeed – it thrives with purpose. 

At a glance: Erasmus Startup Hub 
2025/26 fall/winter cohort

  1. Founder Track: Bring your idea to life
  2. Innovation Team Track: Collaborate with team members to find a startup idea you are passionate about and build it
  3. Program Duration: 8-12 weeks
  4. Focus Areas: Sustainable Business models and scalable innovation.
  5. Events: Workshops, competitions (training and mentoring), conferences, and more!

What You’ll Gain with Erasmus Startup Hub

Build and Lead Your Startup

Take ownership of your entrepreneurial journey. Navigate the startup process from ideation and market validation to launch, scaling, and optimization with full support from our program.

Find your Co-Founders

Connect with like-minded students. Build a reliable, professional team to bring your vision to life. 

Grow High-Value Skills

Master teamwork, problem-solving, leadership, and pitching while learning how to validate ideas and address market needs.

Create Meaningful Impact

Develop ventures that solve meaningful problems and drive positive change in Rotterdam and beyond, leveraging our network for sustainable innovation.

Hands-On Real-World Experience

Work on real problems, tackle operational challenges, and apply practical skills to build and grow your startup. Access our resources, guidance, and a prototyping budget to turn your ideas into action.

Expert Guidance & Support

 Access our network of operational experts and mentors for advice, guidance, and actionable insights. We handle legal basics and provide resources so you can focus on execution and growth.

Expand Your Network

Join a vibrant community of student entrepreneurs and innovators, and explore the dynamic Rotterdam startup scene.

Funding Opportunities

Unlock conditional prototyping budgets, participate in pitching events, and receive guidance to secure grants and investments. 

Your Startup Journey: A Two-Part Timeline 

We’ve designed a structured two-part journey to guide you from idea to a thriving, scalable business. Here’s how it unfolds:

Phase 1-2: Ideation
(3-4 weeks)

Understand & Define

  • ESH Founder: Work on your startup idea with your team and Enactus consultants to formalise the business model.
  • Innovation Team Member: Find or be matched to a team. Identify problems outlined in reports prepared by Enactus consultants and find your own unique solution. Formalise the business model with the help of consultants.

Checkpoint: Business Model Evaluation

  • At the end of November, your business model will be evaluated by the ESH jury based on the feasibility, viability & desirability criteria.
    • Business Model Fits the Criteria: You move on to the ESH program.
    • If your business model will require additional refinement, you’ll receive additional training sessions and coaching before re-evaluation.

Phase 3-6: ESH Program
(8-12 weeks)

Sketch, Decide, Prototype, Validate

  • Now your team will focus on market validation and prototyping.
  • You will also receive additional training & feedback sessions + coaching and guidance.

Checkpoint: Product-Market Fit Evaluation

  • Positive results: Congratulations! Your startup shows strong potential, your team will receive individual coaching for market entry and fundraising and move on to the Enactus Accelerator program for scaling – become an Enactus EUR venture!
  • Negative results: Your team will be redirected to a cycle of extra support and refinement, followed by a re-evaluation.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

At ESH, all intellectual property belongs solely to the founders and co-founders of each idea.
We’re here to support and guide, but the innovation is all yours.

How to Apply