EVERY TEAM 1 TO 5 PEOPLE · MAX. 100 PARTICIPANTS · KICK-OFF 19 NOVEMBER @ MICA · €2,000 PRINT BUDGET FOR THE WINNER · SHOWCASE AT VISUALIZE EXPO

MAKE IT REAL.
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Road to launch

From first idea to centre stage.

Nine steps in two tracks: the concept track up to the concept final on 9 December, then the commercial track towards Visualize Expo.

Roadmap 2026 – 2027

Building the future together

  1. 01

    Registration

    Oct – Nov 2026

    • Registration
      16 Oct to 15 Nov
  2. 02

    Concept track

    Nov – Dec 2026

    • Kick-off @ MICA
      19 Nov
    • Inside Probo
      24 Nov
    • Hackathon @ MICA + concept final
      8 and 9 Dec
  3. 03

    Commercial track

    Dec 2026 – Jan 2027

    • Go live & sell
      11 Dec to 11 Jan
    • Commercial final
      15 Jan
  4. 04

    After the challenge

    Jan – Mar 2027

    • Launch support
      16 Jan to 20 Mar
    • Visualize Expo
      23 to 25 Mar
  1. 01DeadlineConcept track

    Registration

    16 October to 15 November 2026

    Sign up for the kick-off. There is room for up to 100 participants; after that you join the waiting list.

  2. 02EventConcept trackMICA, Leeuwarden
    Presentation to a room full of students during the kick-off at MICA.

    Kick-off @ MICA

    19 November 2026

    Introduction to the challenge, what we expect, schedule, team forming and Q&A. Choose the Dutch session (13:00 to 13:45) or the English one (14:00 to 14:45).

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  3. 03EventConcept trackProbo, Dokkum
    Students get an introduction from a Probo expert on the production floor.

    Inside Probo

    24 November 2026

    Tour of the production house, hackathon briefing and team forming. Group A 09:00 to 12:30, group B 13:00 to 16:00, max. 50 per group.

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    Travelling to Dokkum

    • By public transport from Leeuwarden station to Probo in Dokkum: route to follow.
    • Two Probo hosts will be waiting for you at Leeuwarden bus station (time to follow).
    • Travel vlog coming soon.
    Probo, Dokkum
  4. 04Build phaseConcept track
    A team working at a table covered in sticky notes during the build sprint.

    Preparation

    25 November to 7 December 2026

    Explore your target group and collect ideas. You choose your final idea on day 1 of the hackathon.

  5. 05EventConcept trackMICA, Leeuwarden
    Close-up of a print coming off the roll during production.

    Hackathon @ MICA + concept final

    8 and 9 December 2026

    Day 1: from idea to venture concept. Day 2: test, improve, pitch and the concept prize ceremony.

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  6. 06Build phaseCommercial track

    Go live & sell

    11 December 2026 to 11 January 2027

    Your shop goes live in the busiest sales period of the year. Real orders, real feedback, proof for your pitch. You sell through a student company at your school, or with pre-orders you deliver after the final.

  7. 07EventCommercial trackMICA, Leeuwarden
    Students pitch their brand on stage with their own product.

    Commercial final / Demo Night @ MICA

    15 January 2027

    Live pitch, working shop and jury assessment. This is where the commercial prize is decided.

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  8. 08Build phaseCommercial track

    Launch support for the winner

    16 January to 20 March 2027

    During this period you can make your business official and you set up your own Probo account. You arrange the Chamber of Commerce registration yourself; we are happy to help.

  9. 09EventCommercial track

    Visualize Expo

    23 March to 25 March 2027

    The winner presents themselves to the print and sign world on the startup square.

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