What is the UNIVERSEH Startech Program? 

UNIVERSEH is an alliance of five European universities (University of Toulouse, University of Luxembourg, Heinrich Heine University Dusseldorf, Luleå University of Technology and AGH University of Science and Technology Krakow) that cooperate to develop a new way of collaboration in the field of Space, within the new “European Universities” initiative promoted by the European Commission. 

The Startech Program, which took place in October 2022 in Kiruna, Sweden, consists of bringing together 20 students from these 5 universities to develop an idea into a marketable project during an intensive week. This year the projects’ goal was to use earth observation data to have a positive impact on Earth through space.  

Interview with Robin THEVENET, more about the student experience 

Tell us about yourself

Hello, my name is Robin Thevenet, I am currently in my gap year of Master 1 (PGE) at TBS Education, class 2024. I am also the co-founder of the start-up Kurv.

What were your motivations to apply to this program and how is it complementary to your main area of studies? 

As an entrepreneur, the challenge of creating a project in a week made was particularly appealing. 

Moreover, Space is a sector that I didn’t really know but that interested me.  So being able to combine this entrepreneurial challenge with the discovery of a very interesting and innovative sector was a perfect opportunity. A program like Startech allowed me to discover the vision of entrepreneurship of other sectors, which enriched my own vision. 

How would you describe your experience as a participant to the Startech program in a few words? 

It was an intensive week, full of lessons, meetings and opportunities. 

The Startech program finds its strength in the plurality of profiles, both geographically and in terms of areas of studies.  

I was able to discover the space sector, through its challenges and opportunities, and we also participated in the Space Innovation Forum which took place at the same time, giving us an overview of space projects in Sweden and Europe. 

To be able to create such a project in such a short time was challenging but at the end of the week, during the pitch, all team members had a great feeling of satisfaction. 

Can you give us a small anecdote concerning your time in Kiruna? 

Kiruna is a famous place for the Northern Lights, so we would go walking around the hostel in the evenings to hunt for the aurora, it was a great time, especially since we saw many! 

universeh startech program

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