From hormone-tracking ring to augmented-reality walker: students present their innovations during the Pretotype Market
From idea to tangible ‘pretotype’: during two new workshops, psychology students brought their innovative concepts to life. Using simple materials and plenty of creativity, they presented solutions at the intersection of neuropsychology and entrepreneurship.
As part of the Innovations in Clinical Neuropsychology course, students spent recent weeks developing ideas that address current challenges in healthcare and patients’ daily functioning. In the workshops, led by Sander Kuin from Leiden-based startup incubator PLNT, they were introduced to the fundamentals of entrepreneurship, such as stakeholder analysis, pitch preparation, and navigating practical challenges.
The Pretotype Market marked the culmination of the workshops. Using basic materials such as cardboard, string, and scissors, students were challenged to turn their ideas into tangible ‘pretotypes’ within one hour. This low-threshold approach stimulated creative thinking and helped students make their concepts concrete and testable. From a hormone-tracking ring for women with MS to an augmented-reality walker that encourages older adults to keep moving, a wide range of innovative projects took shape.
Franz Wurm, course coordinator initiator of the Grassroots-funded project, looks back enthusiastically: ‘The workshop had such an energetic, creative atmosphere. It was inspiring to see students bring their neuropsychological knowledge to life using simple materials. It was both educational and fun.’
With these workshops, Wurm hopes that innovative ideas will no longer end up forgotten in a drawer after the course. Students motivated to further develop their concepts into real products have been invited by Kuin to continue exploring entrepreneurship under their guidance.
