Frequently Asked Questions

Q1:         Why should I join the A2 Challenge?

A1:         When you have a business idea and you are eager to develop that idea into a real-life business.

Q2:         Will I be able to start my own company with my idea?

A2: Yes. You can start your own company. The prize money should be enough to pay for your legal entity.  Your mentors and enthousiastic jury members will  provide your company with a good starting network.

Q3:         What happens with my idea once I submit it? What about intellectual property?

A3:         The ideas you submit are viewed by mentors, judges and the organization of the A2 Challenge. Please find out more in the Competition Handbook under the Resources tab.

Q4:         I want to participate in the A2 Challenge, but I have no business idea!  What can I do?

A4:         Visit the Ideation events at YES!Delft, at Venture Lab in Enschede, at  High Tech Campus in Eindhoven, in Amsterdam at Accenture, Philips or Mediaguild to come up with bright business ideas, meet inspiring people and brainstorm with them to develop new ideas.

Q5:         I have a business idea, but I need more people on my team. What can I do?

A5:         Visit the workshops and clinics that are organized during the different phases of the competition to meet new people and recruit people for your team! Please remember that at least one of your team members needs to be related to one of the participating organizations. There are also networking features on our Younoodle website.

Q6:         Which are the participating organizations?

A6:         Please find the list with current participating organizations at the Organization section on the website.

Q7:         Do I need to ask permission from my employer to participate?

A7:         Every employer has their own policy.  We generally encourage everyone to keep their home front well informed.  Your employer may well have some claim to the ideas that you develop during the competition, depending on the conditions of your job.  We ask sponsoring companies to license out this IP to competitors’ start-ups on reasonable terms.   If you take an existing corporate project into the competition, you will probably need to ask your company.

Q8:         I have no experience with writing business plans, what can I do?

A8:         Visit the business training events.  You can also try to form a team with someone who does have that experience.  During the course of the competition you will be given many opportunities to network with other entrepreneurs and techies.  It is up to you to find the right people and connect with them.

Q9:       Can I have anyone on my team?

A9:       Yes, but make sure that at least one team member is affiliated to one of the participating companies. Please see the list of current participating organizations in the Join! section of the website.

Q10:       What should I include in the Executive Summary?

A10:       Find out more on the Resources section.

Q11:       My question is not addressed here. Whom should I contact?

A11:       We are happy to respond to any question you have concerning the A2 Challenge, please send your questions to info@a2challenge.nl and we will provide you with the answers!