Currently, the students from Ivory Coast are actively involved in the development of an innovative system at Hochschule Niederrhein. The aim of the „Industry Integrated Dual Engineering Studies in a North-South Collaboration“ project, which is sponsored by the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service), is to create a decentralized and solar-powered solution to ensure the supply of electricity and water in rural areas in Ivory Coast. The highly interesting idea of this international student group aroused the interest of HNX, the university's start-up advisory team.

During the meet and greet, HNX presented its comprehensive and free consulting services to the students. In an open dialog, not only the challenges of the project were discussed, but also the opportunities and potential of founding a company. HNX was impressed by the innovation strength of the students and their ambitious idea, which could not only enable technological progress, but also social change in Ivory Coast or West Africa.

As a next step, HNX is planning individual workshops to further develop the students' project idea and realize it as a possible startup. These workshops will serve to support the students in various aspects of starting a business and turning their vision into reality.

The HNX start-up consulting team would like to thank the students from Ivory Coast for the inspiring exchange and is already looking forward to the next steps in the collaboration. In the next step, HNX is planning a pitch training workshop on November 28th at Krefeld South Campus. The aim is for the students to further sharpen their project idea and make it presentable in order to inspire potential investors and supporters.

HNX would like to thank the students from Ivory Coast for the intercultural exchange and is looking forward to accompanying them on their journey towards a promising future for their innovative project.