About the programme
The Prototyping Fund was originally launched as a collaborative initiative between the DESIS Lab @Nova SBE and the Nova SBE Haddad Entrepreneurship Institute, created as part of the Shaping the World by Innonexus project, funded by the European Union. Over the course of the first three editions that run from September 2023 to November 2024, the program successfully supported interdisciplinary teams from Nova SBE and LSE (London School of Business) in the development of innovative prototypes, providing up to €600 or €2000* for hardware, software, and engagement activities. These teams were connected with valuable resources, tools, and mentorship to turn their ideas into reality (learn more about the awarded projects below).
In 2025, after the successful completion of the initial cycles, the Prototyping Fund returns, led by the DESIS Lab @Nova SBE! We are excited to continue supporting student-led innovation, and foster creativity and technological solutions across disciplines, programs, and schools at Nova University.
*For projects that were previously awarded in a previous cycle and are now seeking to reapply to further develop the initial prototype.
Who It’s For
This program is for all students from any Nova University school who are passionate about building new products or services and have an idea or want to contribute for an innovative and impactful hardware or software technology.
- Funds must be used for tools and materials to build the prototype (not to pay someone else to build it for you).
- All Nova students (undergrad and grad) are eligible to apply as well as other School students if they have in their team at least one Nova University student.
- Teams will be given preference (individual applicants from Nova University will be considered. Students from other Schools cannot apply individually).
- Multi-school collaborations will be given preference.
- All teams must have at least one Nova University student but may also include members from outside the University as well.
Resources and Events
Awarded teams have access to:
Workshops: two workshops focused on best practices in prototyping.
Equipment: Teams will be given access to key partners who can provide access to equipment and tools.
Showcase: All funded projects will participate in a presentation event at the end of the semester to showcase your prototypes to the NovaSBE community.
Key Dates – Spring 2025, 4th cycle
Applications for the Spring’25: From Monday, January 06th to Monday, February 10th at 1pm
Revising application and Jury’s meeting: From Tuesday, February 11th to Tuesday, February 18th
Communication to selected projects: Wednesday, February 19th until 11:59pm
Mandatory Workshop 1: Monday, February 24th, 10.30am – 12pm
Mandatory Workshop 2: Monday, March 31st, 10.30am – 12pm
Final Showcase: Monday, April 28th, 12:30pm to 2:30pm
How to participate
About the participants:
- Teams or individuals are welcome.
- Individual participants must be Nova students.
- Teams must have at least 1 member from Nova.
- We encourage diverse, multidisciplinary teams from different schools.
Program Essentials:
- Thoroughly review our funding system details and program dates.
Active Participation:
- Selected teams must actively engage in all scheduled workshops and events.
Minimum Participation Requirement:
- The program proceeds only if we have a minimum of 5 selected projects/teams to fund.
Funding process
- 1st Time project applicants can apply for up to €600 in prototyping funds. 2nd Time project applicants can apply up to €2000 (if they have only received one fund).
- ALL receipts must be saved and be presented to the coordination team for review at the end of the cycle.
- To receive the funding, at least one member of the team must be present at the 2 mandatory workshops and the final presentation. Please check the key dates and times before applying.
- More information about the payment process will be given during the first mandatory workshop.
**Please note, we can not support the hiring outside assistance, this includes gifts for testing and/or feedback.**
Review of applications
The evaluation committee is composed by two members from DESIS Lab @NovaSBE and one member from Haddad Entrepreneurship Institute.
Applications – open
Applications for the Prototyping Fund Spring’25 are now open. You can apply through the following links:
1st Time project applications: https://qualtricsxmrsgh8p6sp.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_ai9ZTcK1In62g9o
2nd Time applications (previously awarded): https://qualtricsxmrsgh8p6sp.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5pvc4mDDbbdBT4q
Partners
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