Brightlands Agritech student challenge
Do you want to expand your network as a student and get to know leading companies in the field of Agritech? Do you want to work on a challenge around crop optimization, green engineering, data science and AI or robotics and automation? Then register for the Agritech student challenge on Tuesday October 8, during the Brightlands Agritech Event! Get in touch with companies in the AgriTech industry and learn more from experts in this field.
There will be two additional meetings:
- Infomative meet-up (online): Wednesday, Oct. 2nd (6 pm – 7.30 pm ) Sign up here to attend
- Online prepping workshop: Monday October 7th, 7pm – 8.30pm Sign up here to attend
- Design Thinking & Storytelling
- Choose your challenge & team
Studenten Challenge on October 8th
On October 8th we will start the day with pitches from the participating companies. After these pitches you can make your final choice for the challenge. Read up well in advance, so you can easily choose the challenge that you prefer.
be challenged by Thomas!
Thomas Janssen is known for his YouTube channel “Tom’s Tech Academy”. Through his YouTube channel, more than half a million people worldwide are introduced to smart automation & Artificial Intelligence every year.
On October 8, Thomas takes you into a future that is closer than you think. You will be introduced to revolutionary techniques that are about to change the world forever. No boring PowerPoint presentations, you get to work hands-on and learn skills that will help you for the rest of your career.
Thomas was named UiPath MVP in 2022, 2023 and 2024, one of the 100 most influential RPA experts in the world.
What are you doing it for? Apart from increasing your knowledge and network:
The top 3 groups will receive prizes, such as fun gadgets.
The second place gets a nice cash prize of €250,- and the winner will receive €500,-.
Challenges
1. How can we successfully grow coffee beans indoors?
Challenge Grodan
Develop a method to successfully grow coffee plants indoors, with the ultimate goal of producing ripe coffee beans. Consider the various factors that affect the growth of the plants, such as light, temperature, water, soil, and humidity. But also:
- CAPEX and OPEX in relation to how much a pack of coffee may cost
- Marketing to the consumer
- Automation with regard to cost/efficiency
- Economies of scale with regard to consumption
2. Veggie Innovate: “Creating Value for the Entire Supply Chain”
Challenge BASF
Challenge: Develop a new vegetable product or concept that not only appeals to consumers but also provides advantages for other players in the value chain, such as growers, distributors, supermarkets and even recycling companies. This could encompass aspects of cultivation, processing, distribution, marketing and sales and consumption of vegetables. The value chain includes all the steps required to bring a vegetable product from farm to table.
Innovative vegetables are important for several key reasons, particularly in addressing the evolving needs of the food industry, consumers, and global challenges. A product or concept that supports the entire value chain often incorporates sustainable practices, such as reducing environmental impact, elimination of waste or improving energy efficiency. This can lead to a more sustainable food system, which is increasingly important to consumers and increasing legal and governmental requirements.
The concept should clearly offer benefits to multiple points in the chain. This could also include cost savings, sustainability, improvement in product quality or efficiency in distribution. Contributions to environmentally friendly solutions or the circular economy are a plus. The idea should be practical and have a realistic chance of being implemented.
You can find the link to the website of our company below, which provides more insights in how as Global partner provide solutions for attractive and sustainable vegetables that people love:
Nunhems - Global (English)
3. Devise a future-proof system architecture for our
GrowWise Control System
Challenge Signify
How might we develop a system architecture integrating all system components of a vertical farm like lighting, climate, irrigitation, into 1 single pane of glass for our indoor farmers?
Focusing on Philips GrowWise Control System to steer dynamic lighting modules.
Goal: A future-proof system architecture for our “GrowWise Control System” (HW/SW)
Define a blueprint for an architecture that fits the customer infrastructure and needs.
Future:
Autonomous growing.
Needs:
- Robust, 24/7 operational, if there is a problem, the entire facility should not be down.
- Security, cyber security,
- Maintainability,
- Scalability (Modular setup),
- Run multiple “GrowWise Control Systems” in parallel on a single HW device or as a software service,
- Collecting data from sensors in the climate room (temperature, CO2, air speed, humidity, light level/spectrum, camera image),
- Storge/update Growth recipe à in cloud.
Program (Please note: you can scroll through the program!)
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 08:00 am | Arrival students and participants |
| 08:30 am | Welcome & Pitches challenge owners |
| 09:30 am | Parallel workshops: |
| • Workshop 1: Develop a Machine Learning Model with a Teachable Machine | |
| • Workshop 2: Business Model Canvas | |
| 10:30 am | Break |
| 11:00 am | Parallel workshops: |
| • Workshop 3: Automate business processes with Robotic Process Automation - Power Automate Desktop | |
| • Workshop 4: Minimum Viable Markets | |
| 12:00 am | Wrap-up and lunch (eat & go) |
| Define, ideate and prototype your team idea | |
| 3:30 pm | Submit idea pitches |
| Start pitches in front of Jury | |
| 5:30 pm | Award Ceremony & closure |
During the day you will work with your group on the challenge of your choice.
During the Brightlands Agritech student challenge, tech and business coaches will be present. They will guide the teams during the challenge, so you know where to start and can achieve an optimal result.
The top 3 groups will receive prizes, such as fun gadgets. The second place will receive a nice cash prize of €250,- and the winner will receive €500,-.
Brightlands Agritech Event
During this day it is possible to visit the Brightlands Agritech event. Think of the innovation tour by companies such as John Deere, Compas Agro and Agxeed, but also masterclasses on various themes. In addition, meet chain partners from the Agritech world in the expo hall.
Masterclasses for students
You can follow all masterclasses that are offered this day. Do you want to improve your skills in Agritech and apply them directly in the challenge? Then follow one of the masterclasses below during the day:
- Follow the masterclass Power BI – power automate. This is useful for learning how to build a dashboard that you can use during the challenge.
- Follow the masterclass on Python and learn how to use the tool LangChain.
Why participate in the event?
1. Gain more insight into Agritech
2. Collaborate with professionals from the Agritech industry
3. Discover the campus in Venlo
4. Profile yourself in a unique, personal way
During this challenge, students are challenged to network with companies, but especially to learn what is possible in the field of Agritech!
So, what are you waiting for?