Collider for students

The EuroTeQ Collider, a flagship initiative of the EuroTeQ Engineering University network, brings together talented students, researchers, and external partners to tackle pressing real-world challenges inspired by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through this challenge-based learning programme, participants co-create innovative solutions with tangible impact — from tackling climate change to improving urban life — while developing key transversal skills such as creativity, collaboration, entrepreneurship and leadership. 

The EuroTeQ Collider operates on a simple yet powerful educational model: internal and external partners — including companies, international and local NGOs, and public institutions — propose real challenges they face in their everyday work. These challenges are deliberately framed to be highly interdisciplinary, allowing for multiple potential solutions. PhD students are then introduced to the challenges and, working in diverse teams, collaborate closely with each other and the partner to develop an innovative response. Throughout the process, participants benefit from tailored workshops and lectures, as well as guidance from pedagogical experts in challenge-based learning, ensuring they gain both practical experience and valuable skills while addressing meaningful, real-world problems. 

The journey culminates in the EuroTeQaThon, where the most promising ideas from across Europe are presented to an international jury.The EuroTeQaThon in Denmark will serve as the culmination of the Collider, where teams will present their projects to European partners, with the best ideas being recognised with cash prizes, and the opportunity to get a place at the IESE Ignite Bootcamp in Barcelona in July.

Working with internal and external partners

The programme promotes teamwork within diverse, interdisciplinary teams, enabling participants to develop essential transversal skills such as creativity, collaboration, leadership, and innovation. Collaboration with internal and external partners throughout the project brings a practical dimension, providing valuable insights from leading companies and NGOs.

Partners for 2024:

• CFF
• EPFL

Partners for 2025:

• WWF
• Pro Natura
• Logitech

Confirmed partners for 2026 (list will expand later)

• SIG
• WWF
• Logitech

Join the European network with your innovative solution to tackle societal challenges!

Join a challenge proposed by our external or internal partners (e.g., WWF, Pro Natura, etc.) and become part of a dynamic team representing EPFL at the upcoming EuroTeQathon in Copenhagen, from the 13th to the 15th June 2026, where top engineering universities will showcase groundbreaking innovations.

Read more about EuroTeQaThon 2026 in Copenhagen.

Each challenge is designed for a team of 4-5 people. Sign up by sending an email to Ilya (see contact below) for more details and to stay informed about official events for EuroTeQaThon 2026 at EPFL.

In 2025, EPFL was proudly represented by three PhD teams whose, projects addressed challenges from partners Pro Natura, Logitech, and WWF:

• Good Metal (WWF): A blockchain-based traceability system ensuring metals such as lithium, copper, and nickel are sourced and processed ethically, using IoT, satellite data, and independent verification.
• Treeple (Pro Natura): An urban forestry decision-making tool leveraging satellite data and predictive models to identify optimal planting sites and species for biodiversity, cooling, and well-being.
• ATHENA (Logitech): An AI-driven platform to streamline onboarding by capturing and delivering organizational know-how through an intuitive multimedia interface.

The results were outstanding: Good Metal won first place, while Treeple secured second place in their group — a testament to the creativity, commitment, and problem-solving skills of all EPFL participants.

Beyond the competition, the EuroTeQ experience continued at the Ignite Bootcamp at IESE Business School in Barcelona, where two EPFL PhD candidates joined peers from across the alliance for an intensive four-day training on turning deep-tech sustainability ideas into viable business ventures. As participant Navadheer Yalamanchili reflected:

It was a truly transformative experience. The case studies, discussions, and expert insights helped me understand how to structure a business plan, communicate technology-driven ideas, and see the entrepreneurial side of sustainability. I also formed lasting friendships.

EuroTeQ at EPFL is supported by Movetia which is funded by the Swiss Confederation.