Student innovators to compete in Netherlands innovation finals

Five student innovators will compete in the final of ‘De Innovatiefste Student van Nederland 2026’ in Nijmegen on October 15. The competition, known as INNOVATE, provides participants with coaching, networking, and visibility to help scale their ideas.

The finalists include:

• Alba Villagrasa Martín (IsoraLabs, Maastricht University): Developing IsoraPlate, a laboratory plate designed to prevent cross-contamination and reduce plastic waste.

• Alice Haywood (AutiMelody, University of Groningen): Creating an app that uses music and melodies to assist communication for individuals with severe intellectual disabilities.

• Alexandra-Iuliana Spiridon-Scurtu (CellaCure Technologies): Utilizing modular 3D printers to convert medical scans into realistic, patient-specific organ models for surgical practice.

• Fumi Lesné-Akiyama (Nemean BioLabs, Maastricht University): Developing a bio-based coating to prevent bacterial growth in industrial heat exchangers, reducing energy loss and chemical use.

• Benjamin A O’Regan (ORB Dynamics, TU Delft): Developing autonomous hydrogen airships for cost-efficient and low-emission transport.