SPARK: Start up your quantum future

​​​​​​​Are you thinking of starting your own (quantum) tech company?
Or do you have concrete business plans and want to work on next steps?

The QuTech entrepreneurship program invites Master students, PhDs and employees from QuTech, TU Delft, TNO, Aqua/Leiden University, Erasmus University, members of the QDNL ecosystems and spinoffs, as well as former SPARK alumni, to join SPARK 2024.
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SPARK has two levels:

  • A (beginners) Workshop
    For those wanting an introduction into starting a company and business in general. Here you will also initiate a Sales Story and Business Plan.
  • A Masterclass
    For those among you that have concrete plans about starting a new company and want to explore the steps needed in your journey to commercialisation. Among other things, you will focus on tightening your value proposition, roadmap your success, lay the foundations for scaling your success and look for pathways for the funding process.

Both levels offer:

  1. Introduction videos that provide a wide range of knowledge foundations – from quantum solutions to scaling different quantum-based value propositions.
  2. Two interactive sessions moderated by Professor Steven Walsh.
  3. One-on-one consultations – online or in person – when you are having difficulties or need a nudge.

Beginners Workshops

After a set of instructional videos, the workshops focus on preparations for a Sales Story and Business Plan. You will learn about developing a Pitch Deck and a Value Proposition.

​​​​​​​Masterclasses

​​​​​​​Here you will focus on (further) developing your Sales Story and Business Plan.

Session 1:

  1. A 30-minute introduction by Prof. Steven Walsh on drivers for entrepreneurship and the concept of good sales stories
  2. 5-minute Sales Story pitches by teams or individuals, with feedback by Steven and the group
  3. Learning by doing / reviewing peer plans

Session 2:

  1. A 30-minute introduction by Prof. Steven Walsh on creating a Business Plan and using data
  2. 10-minute Business Plan / investor pitches by teams or individuals
  3. Feedback by Steven, focusing on homework and improvements for follow-up

​​​​​​​The discussions and actions in the two courses are based on experimental learning and will be hands-on. You will work on a solution for a real problem – yours.

The programs also teach an entrepreneurial mindset in a broad sense. Even if you won’t be starting your own business, you might in the future work in a large or small firm. Knowing about the business side of things is always beneficial.

​​​​​​​About Professor Steven Walsh

Dr Walsh is a “Distinguished Professor” and the New Mexico Economic Development Endowed Chair at UNM Anderson School of Management. He is a serial entrepreneur who has with his fellow high-tech founders raised well over $30 million dollars for those firms. He has also assisted in founding early-stage high tech venture capital firms. He has been recognized as a top researcher in both Technology Entrepreneurship and Management of Technology and Innovation by different organizations and researchers.

Dates and timing in 2024

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The Workshops and Masterclasses are spread out over two days in the spring and fall.
The spring dates for SPARK will be May 23 and 24, 2024.
Fall dates will be decided on a later date.

The beginners Workshops take place between 13.00 and 15.00 hrs.
The Masterclasses take place between 16.00 and 18.00 hrs.

In the mornings Steven Walsh will be available for personal consultations.

​​​​​​​Location

The sessions will take place at one of the House of Quantum locations in Delft. This is where many of the quantum technology start-ups and businesses in Delft can be found.

Do you want to sign up?

Just send an e-mail to Theo Lodewijkx or Maarten Huppertz.