Collider for partners
The EuroTeQ Collider, part of the EuroTeQ Engineering University network, is a challenge-based learning initiative tackling real-world problems informed by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This unique programme connects external partners with talented students and researchers to co-create innovative solutions with real-world impact.
Why partner with the EuroteQ Collider?
Submit Challenges for cutting-edge solutions: Partners are invited to propose challenges aligned with their business needs and strategic goals. These challenges will inspire interdisciplinary teams of students and researchers to develop practical, forward-thinking solutions.
- Work with EPFL PhD Students: Leverage the expertise and creativity of PhD students from EPFL, one of Europe’s leading technical universities, who will dedicate their advanced skills but also gain from this learning experience.
- Collaborate with future innovators: Engage directly with interdisciplinary teams, offering mentorship and insights as they refine their ideas. This collaboration ensures solutions are grounded in real-world applications.
- Boost visibility and drive impact: Demonstrate your organisation’s leadership in sustainability and innovation by actively contributing to solutions for global challenges, gaining exposure within the prestigious EuroTeQ network.
Timeline and partner involvement
- Challenge Submission Deadline: Partners must submit their challenges by the 5th of January 2026. These challenges should reflect real-world problems aligned with your strategic goals and the SDGs. The challenge should be expressed either as a question or a sentence with a short description.
- Project Development Timeline: January–May 2026: Students will collaborate to develop innovative solutions while being guided by EPFL mentors and incorporating your feedback to ensure alignment with real-world applications.
- Partner Support: Partners should designate a contact point to provide guidance and support to students throughout the project. At least one interaction per month is expected to ensure progress, offer feedback, and refine solutions.
- EuroTeQaThon: The program culminates in the EuroTeQaThon, held in Copenhagen in June 2026, where final solutions will be presented to an international audience.
Partners in the past EuroTeQ Colliders
Our partners for the EuroTeQaThon 2024 at École Polytechnique in Paris:
- CFF
- EPFL
Our partners for the EuroTeQaThon 2025 at the University of Technology in Eindhoven:
- WWF
- Pro Natura
- Logitech
Confirmed partners for EuroTeQaThon 2026 at the Technical University of Denmark in Copenhagen:
- SIG
- Logitech
- WWF
Be Part of the Collision of Ideas
Submit an open-ended challenge to the EuroTeQ Collider and collaborate with EPFL’s brightest minds and become a catalyst for groundbreaking innovations. Together, we can create sustainable solutions that align with your company’s goals and contribute to a better tomorrow.
Contact us today to propose your challenge and explore partnership opportunities!
Contact
Dr Ilya Eigenbrot
Project Coordinator
CAPE (EuroTeQaThon)
Phone: +41 21 693 7698
Email: [email protected]
Past experiences of EPFL’s EuroTeQ students
EPFL first participated in the EuroTeQaThon (in the framework of the Collider) in 2024. See some impressions by the participating students.
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.
