Oct. 18, 2024
Four student startups showcased their inventions at the Arnhem event Innovate Experience on October 18.
Online Open Day
19 March
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Online Open Day
19 March
Online Open Day
4 June
Four student startups showcased their inventions at the Arnhem event Innovate Experience on October 18.
On October 18, the annual event Innovate Experience took place at Musis Arnhem. Innovators from the Arnhem-Nijmegen region gathered to network and shared knowledge and experience. Students from HVHL were present with a booth.
The event took place in the beautiful building of Musis, where the day was filled with sessions and presentations, and of course, a Startup Market.
VersaBit is an innovative equestrian product developed by HVHL students, set to launch this year. It offers a system that allows riders to easily switch between four types of bits using a click mechanism, without removing the bit from the horse's mouth. This addresses issues such as high costs and time loss due to the need for various traditional bits. Try it out in the equestrian section of the Innovate Experience.
The innovative hoof scraper with a built-in light, Hoofalook, was developed by students from Hogeschool Van Hall Larenstein. This handy tool made from recycled materials provides perfect visibility of your horse's hooves, even in low light. The light ensures thorough cleaning, which helps prevent infections.
Equijoy presents the Scrubby, an interactive installation for horses that combines eating, scratching, playing, and grooming. This sustainable product can be customised and is easy to clean. It promotes the well-being of horses by reducing boredom and creating an enriching environment.
Anatol's advice for other entrepreneurial students: "The more you ask, the more you learn—embrace curiosity during guest lectures and networking events. Share your ideas as soon as they are somewhat concrete; unexpected opportunities often arise from discussion. Take advantage of the mentor culture at HVHL, which encourages questions and exploration and can connect you with valuable contacts."
Anatol, 24, is a third-year student with a unique part-time job as a chocolatier. He has always led an active lifestyle through handball and is currently spending a lot of time at the gym. What sets him apart from other students, however, is his vision to revolutionise the energy drink market.
As an energy drink enthusiast, Anatol appreciates the effects of well-known beverages but also sees the downsides, such as energy crashes and opaque ingredient lists. This led to the idea of Eternitea: a healthy alternative that provides long-lasting energy without the usual drawbacks. The drink is a fusion of premium teas, natural fruit blends, and nootropics. With his experience as a chocolatier, Anatol focuses on high-quality ingredients. Although he also considered a supplement brand, this venture appeals to him more.
Regarding the competitive position of his natural energy drink, he says, "Competing with industry giants like Red Bull won't be easy, but by being completely transparent about our ingredients and benefits, we can justify higher prices while building strong consumer trust."
Anatol's vision is to position Eternitea as the natural alternative in the energy drink market. He aims to inform consumers about the benefits of high-quality ingredients that provide long-lasting energy.
Eternitea carries social responsibility by donating 5 cents per can to environmental and social initiatives. All three flavors have been developed, but Anatol is still working on the flavor profiles for the Innovate Experience fair on October 18, where he can gauge customer reactions. Sample cans are ready for demonstration, while the final product is in the last stages of development.
Anatol shares important insights from his experiences: "The more you ask, the more you learn—embrace curiosity during guest lectures and networking events. Share your ideas as soon as they are somewhat concrete; unexpected opportunities often arise from discussion. Take advantage of the mentor culture at HVHL, which encourages questions and exploration and can connect you with valuable contacts."
The free event in Arnhem is interesting for anyone who wants to keep up with regional innovations and network. So come by between 9:30 AM and 5:00 PM at Musis in the center of Arnhem. More information can be found on the Innovate website.