Student Startup Trip

Visit the biggest startup ecosystems in the world

This year, the Student Startup Trip takes a group of high-potential students to Stockholm, the city with more unicorns per capita than almost anywhere outside Silicon Valley. Spotify, Klarna and King started here, and a new wave led by companies like Lovable shows the engine is still running. Over 8 days, we’ll meet early-stage startups, scale-ups, VCs and the hubs that hold the ecosystem together. No PowerPoint tours, no staged inspiration. We meet founders where they actually work and hear the real stories: the wins and the screwups.

Stockholm builds differently: flat hierarchies, a culture of trust, and founders who think global from day one because their home market is too small not to. Successful founders reinvest as angels and mentors, so knowledge and capital keep circulating. We want participants to feel that up close: the creative chaos, the uncertainty, the momentum of ambitious people pushing each other forward. The goal is simple: come back with clearer ambitions, sharper intuition, and the confidence to take the first step.

Coming Soon

What's included

Flights

Roundtrip flight from Brussels to Stockholm

Hotel

Seven nights in a hotel

Transport

Local transportation for the entire week

Meals

Breakfast every day. Lunch and dinner at select companies

Goodies

Beanies, books and more

FAQ

Frequently asked questions can be found here. If you still have a question, please don't hesitate to contact us!

Contact

How does the application process work?

The group we select is key to an interesting trip for all participants, which is why we care deeply about a fair and high-quality application process. In the first round, we review the 3 questionnaire responses anonymously. Based on this, we create a ranking to determine candidates for the second round. The second round is yet to be decided.

What is included in the trip fee?

Round-trip flight from Brussels to Stockholm, seven nights in a hotel, local transportation for the entire week, goodies like beanies, books and more, breakfast every day, and lunch and dinner at select companies.

Who is this trip for?

This trip is ideal for every student who dreams of having a career as a founder, early employee at a startup, or in venture capital. Everyone can apply, regardless of their studies, age, or experience.

Is it really worth the price and time?

Don't take our word for it, ask anyone who participated in one of our Student Startup Trips and they'll give you an honest answer.

What are some hard criteria to be eligible to apply?

Not that many: you need to be a student (PhD, post-graduate etc. included) and you need to be fluent in English.

How many NEXT members join the trip?

Each year, only a very small group of NEXT members comes along. The two Trip Organisers and our President/Vice-President automatically join because they are the ones responsible for the practical organisation. All other NEXT members are welcome to apply, but they go through the exact same anonymous selection process as every other candidate, no exceptions, no advantages.

To keep the group balanced and fair, we also cap the number of NEXT members on the trip at maximum five.

How can I be sure the trip delivers on its promise?

Our Student Startup Trip has been running for over 12 years. Each year, we gather feedback to improve the experience. Over time, we've built a strong track record of success stories.

When will I know if I have been selected?

First-round results will be sent to you on December 20th. Second-round results and thus the final selection will be announced at the start of the second semester.

Testimonials

Curious about what previous participants thought?

The network you build on the trip is just as valuable as the drive to innovate with which you come home: their energy pushed me to actually start building something when I got home.

Stockholm 2022

Gill D'Hoore

ENGIE - Technical Project Manager & Battery Energy Storage Systems

Before SST I didn't even know what a startup really was. It opened my eyes to the environment that is the right fit for me and was the foundational inspiration for co-founding Tectonic and FirstMovers (two communities linked to startups) and pursuing my career as a startup operator at Toqua and axabio.

Stockholm 2022

Emma Hanegraef

axabio - Head of Product

Joining the SST in New York was an unforgettable experience. It amazed me how a group of strangers so quickly became friends I still talk to 2.5 years later, and the trip gave me countless new perspectives and insights that continue to stick with me.

New York 2023

Bernd Vanmuysen

Main Capital Partners - Private Equity Analyst

An unforgettable experience that remains just as meaningful three years later as it was on the day itself. I met so many incredible people, which led to amazing opportunities and collaborations.

New York 2023

Daniel Sparemblek

ING - AI/ML Engineer

The SST was a real turning point for me. Before the trip, I had plenty of ideas and even tried to execute some, but I lacked the audacity to go the extra mile. After the SST trip, I came back super inspired and started building with much more passion :)

New York 2023

Jorrit Willaert

Jurimesh - Co-Founder & CEO

So many lessons packed in just one week! I still go back and skip through my SST notebook sometimes, just to freshen up some of the learnings!

Stockholm 2022

Peter-William

MedEx.Health - CEO

This trip is the perfect opportunity for those who believe that they can dream big and have potentials, but don't know where to start or need a little push. Take it, then throw yourself to new environment, new people and new ideas.

Berlin 2025

Anarjin Buyandelger

Student

This trip is an eye-opener for most people on the wide variety of options to have to be ambitious in the way you yourself want to be.

Stockholm 2022 & New York 2023

Nathan De Troyer

Entourage - VC Investor

SST was truly my stepping stone into the Belgian startup community. Meeting other ambitious students opened so many doors, of which organizing the very first edition of Tectonic was a personal highlight for me.

Belgium 2022 & Belgium 2023