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Receive Up to €1,000 in Funding to Launch Your Startup

What Is PlayGrant?

PlayGrant is Playground’s financial grant programme for students and PhD candidates* with ideas that have potential value for others. You can apply whether you’re a freelancer, running a startup, or pursuing an independent project (e.g., organising a music event for refugees). The fund can cover costs to get your idea moving — like user tests, prototypes, domains, project tools, marketing, or outsourcing tasks such as hiring a developer or designer.

*See Who Can Apply? below.

What’s Included?

• Up to €1,000 per startup

• At least 3 coaching sessions with startup coaches and experienced entrepreneurs

• Support to validate* your idea and develop a minimum viable product

*Validation is the process of checking whether there’s a real need for your product in your target market.

Who Can Apply?

All UU and UCU students, as well as PhD candidates, whether or not you already run a business. Those with existing businesses (, , , or ) may apply, but must do so as a private individual.

Please note that projects affiliated with a student association or other organisations are not eligible for PlayGrant.

Eligible Activities

Funds can be used to support:

• Idea Validation – Test the core concept, problem-solution fit, and feasibility. This helps answer the question, “Does this idea make sense?”

• Prototype Development –&�Բ�����;Build and refine a minimum viable product to test solutions in real-world conditions and gather feedback from potential users. This helps answer the question, “Can we create a working solution that meets user needs?”

• Market Validation –&�Բ�����;Confirm demand and real-world value. This helps answer the question, “Will people buy or use this?”

How to Apply

• Prepare your application as a slide deck or video pitch, including all elements from the PlayGrant Slide Deck template below. Custom designs are allowed if all required content is included.

• (Optional) Book a coaching session before applying to refine your proposal.

• Submit your application via email to Stijn Rademaker (s.o.rademaker@uu.nl) and CC Playground (playground@uu.nl). Quick link below.

Reminder: Applications must be submitted as private individuals (see 'Who Can Apply?')

Review and Approval Process

1. Applications are reviewed by the Investment Committee.
2. Feedback may be provided, with an opportunity to revise.
3. Final decisions, whether approvals or rejections, are communicated by email.

Assessment Criteria

Applications are evaluated based on the applicant's entrepreneurial mindset and skills, the innovation and feasibility of the idea, and the problem-solution fit—especially for those requesting the full €1,000. Full details on the assessment criteria are available in the drop-down menu below.

My Application Has Been Approved—What's Next?

Approved applicants will receive instructions per email for submitting expenses for reimbursement.

Questions?

Contact playground@uu.nl for more information.

PlayGrant is made possible by Playground in collaboration with and .