Students at ITU are in the middle of the exam period, which feels like the perfect moment to look back at spring 2026, that marked the fourth semester of ITU NextGen's mission to support students in developing an innovative and entrepreneurial mindset.

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We kicked off the semester with a workshop on grant applications, helping students navigate funding opportunities, avoid common pitfalls, and strengthen their applications. We're especially proud to see several members of our community successfully secure funding from both Innofounder, Mikrolegat and NIMBI during the semester.

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We also welcomed Morten and Jørgen back for our annual Legal & Accounting Essentials session. Yet again this workshop provided important practical insights for aspiring founders, and we're grateful for the continued support and collaboration from our partners at LASSEN RICARD and Grant Thornton.

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Together with Data for Good Foundation, we hosted a two-day case competition where 20 students worked intensively on solving complex health-data issues through technology and innovation.

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One of the highlights of the semester was our largest event to date: a celebration of women in IT, tech, and entrepreneurship. The conference brought together students, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders to build meaningful connections and engage in important conversations about gender bias, representation, and inclusion in the tech industry.

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Another exciting collaboration was with ESA BIC on hosting Gravity Club at ITU. Students gained inspiration from founders working with space technology and satellite data, opening their eyes to opportunities in an industry many had never explored.

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At our "How to Boost Your Startup with AI" workshop, we invited Nicolas, a student from our startup hub to co-host and share both technical and practical perspectives on applying AI in early-stage ventures. The event was also open to participants from the KU Health Innovators programme, creating valuable opportunities for knowledge sharing across universities.

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Throughout the semester, our monthly Breakfast & Brain Food talks brought industry experts, and students together for inspiring conversations, fresh perspectives, and new connections. This is definitely a format we'll continue building on in the future.

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We wrapped up the semester with Demo & Drinks a celebration of our community with startup pitches, networking, music, pizza, drinks, and prizes. It was the perfect way to showcase the progress of our startups, while bringing together the people who make this community so special.

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A huge thank you to all students, partners, speakers, mentors, and collaborators who contributed throughout the semester 🙌

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