Win a Fully Funded Trip to Germany – Join the De-TECH Tech Challenge 2026 – Agriculture & Food Edition
Solve real industry challenges and develop innovations for a sustainable future!
The De-TECH Innovation Tech Challenge 2026 offers the opportunity to collaborate with international students to develop innovative solutions to real-world industry challenges. The initiative is part of the EU-funded EIT Higher Education Initiative.
Partner Universities
LUH Hannover · UPM Madrid · İTÜ Istanbul · EBS Tallinn
At a Glance
International collaboration with students and researchers from across Europe
Work on real industry challenges with practical relevance
Gain hand-on experience in innovation and entrepreneurship
Network with companies and industry experts
Free trip to the finale in Hannover on July 6-7, 2026.
What are Tech Challenges?
Tech Challenges are real-world problems submitted by industry partners. International and interdisciplinary student teams develop creative, scientifically sound, and innovative solution concepts based on these challenges.
Tech Challenge 2026: Agriculture & Food
Teams select one of the three Tech Challenges.
Theme: Sustainable Bioeconomy and Agri-Food Innovation
Tech Challenge 1: Off-Season Utilization of Sugar Industry Infrastructure
- Submitted by Pfeifer & Langen
- Development of a concept for utilizing unused sugar industry facilities outside of the production season to manufacture one or two bio-based products with minimal retooling.
Tech Challenge 2: Valorization of byproducts from cold-pressed oil production
- Submitted by Natura Altaica
- Development of innovative and economically viable applications for byproducts from cold-pressed oil production in line with the principles of the circular economy, such as functional ingredients, nutraceuticals, or sustainable materials.
Tech Challenge 3: AI-Enabled MRV System for Soil Health Monitoring
- Submitted by GraCity
- Development of an AI-enabled MRV system that integrates satellite imagery, sensors, and field data to monitor soil health and evaluate regenerative agricultural practices.
The solutions may be technical, economic, regulatory, or interdisciplinary in nature.
More Information:
Detailed descriptions are available in the official Tech Challenge guide:
Who can participate?
- Students and research staff from all disciplines
- Affiliation with one of the De-TECH partner universities (LUH, UPM, İTÜ, EBS)
- No specific prior knowledge required
- Teams of three people
How it works
- Form a team of three people
- Select one Tech Challenge
- Develop an innovative solution concept
Submit your results by May 20, 2026, 23:59 (CET): de-tech@ite.uni-hannover.de
Process and Agenda
- April – May 2026: Work on your Tech Challenges
- May 20, 2026: Deadline for submitting solutions concepts
- May 25, 2026: Selection of the best teams
- July 6 –7, 2026: Final workshop in Hannover, Deutschland
The best teams will present their results to industry partners. Participation in the final workshop is mandatory for the selected teams.
✈️ Travel and accommodation costs will be fully covered.
Submission Guideline
- Language: English
- Format: PDF (minimum 3 pages)
- Content: Team contacts (name, E-Mail, university, role/position) and solution concept
- Deadline: 📅 Mai 20, 2026, 23:59 (CET); Submit to: de-tech@ite.uni-hannover.de
Apply now!
Take this opportunity to work on real-industry challenges, gain international experience, and help shape innovations for a sustainable future.