When
Thursday, 8 October 2026
10:00 to 13:30 (doors open from 09:30)
Where
IJmond region (or) Haarlem, location to be determined
Do you have a specific issue within your organisation?
Submit your practical case and let students help you brainstorm your challenge. Get acquainted with the Techport and Innomics support programmes and receive concrete suggestions and recommendations at the end of the meeting, based on the fresh perspective of the employees of the future.
Crack the Case Plan
Through our contacts at the various educational institutions (vocational and higher professional education), we receive 150 – 200 students who actively engage with a practical case. These students come from Inholland University of Applied Sciences, SRH Haarlem, and Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences.
15 – 20 companies get the chance to present a concrete problem to these students. Each problem will be assigned to a team of 10 to 15 students assigned to handle this case.
Following an initial brainstorming session, it is discussed which elaborations and new questions will be taken into the second round. At the end of the morning, the participating companies will receive concrete suggestions and recommendations from the students.
Contacts may also arise for follow-up (internship) assignments, research, part-time jobs or graduation projects. We'll manage these through our Techport Talent Pool. Are you looking for interns? Please let us know. We use our matchmaking tool to connect companies and interns.
Would you like to bring in a case study?
Do you see opportunities and would you like to discuss a practical case from your organisation without obligation? Feel free to contact us. We're happy to think along with you and discuss together whether your case is suitable for Crack the Case.
Submit your practice case
Sign up via email: robin.bakker@techport.nl
More information
Get in touch with:
Theo Koster
📞 +31 6 50245261
Rob van Loon
📞 +31 6 10216175
Crack the Case programme
09:30 – Reception
10:00 – Introduction Crack the Case – goal of the day (Theo Koster)
10:15 AM – Explanation of the company and the case to your student group
10:15 – Get started
11.25 AM – Student feedback to supervisors
11:45 – Formulating the task with which we enter the second round
12.15 PM – Round 2 – further delve into the best ideas with the same group and formulate the next steps (what and who is needed to accelerate the project further?)
12.55 – The students and companies provide feedback on the results and the next steps in five minutes
1.30 pm – End of programme
The students come from various backgrounds, such as:
- Marketing and Communications
- Technology & Engineering
- Business and Entrepreneurship
- AI & Digital Processes
The different fields of study are mixed by us, which leads to a strong and surprising result.
Examples of cases
Below are three examples of cases that were dealt with last year. They provide a good overview of the types of issues you can submit.
LV Energy
LV Energy is a Dutch cleantech scale-up developing the WaveHarvester: an innovative module that converts sound and vibrations into usable electricity while simultaneously dampening noise. We turn noise into an energy source. Our technology is applied across diverse sectors: from karaoke rooms and air conditioning units to fitness equipment and retail shelving. This way, our customers not only save energy and costs but also make a tangible contribution to quieter and more sustainable environments.
Our mission: to make the loudest parts of our environment contribute to the energy transition.
A task “Make noise into energy: from demo to deal in one morning.”
We are about to bring our technology to a wider market. To accelerate this, we want to challenge students to design a pilot proposal that is both technically feasible and commercially attractive.
Spruit Power Transmission
Spruit Aandrijftechniek in Alkmaar is a specialist company that focuses on everything related to industrial drive systems.
Spruit operates throughout the Benelux region and works for sectors such as waste processing, the steel industry, chemicals, food, and mechanical engineering. Their strength lies in combining technical expertise with fast, reliable service.
The development the company is undergoing is the shift from a pure parts supplier (logistics company) to the provision of added-value knowledge and system solutions.
A task How does Spruit position itself as the partner of choice for drive technology for new customers?
Vattenfall
Vattenfall offers a modern and dynamic working environment in Velsen, with a strong team culture and scope for personal initiative. There are regular vacancies and internships available for technical roles.
A task Why would you choose a career in engineering at Vattenfall or Tata Steel?
Develop a strategy or campaign that highlights why it is appealing to choose a technical degree and a career with companies such as Vattenfall or Tata Steel. Use storytelling, visual aids, data and personal motivation to inspire other students.
If you wish to submit a practical case, please send an e-mail to robin.bakker@techport.nl. Do you have any questions first, or would you like to discuss the possibilities? If so, please feel free to contact us by phone.
This can be done via:
Theo Koster
📞 +31 6 50245261
Rob van Loon
📞 +31 6 10216175
