Based in the Netherlands, the University of Twente (UT) is a leading technology-driven research university, setting ambitious students on paths to global careers. Through the university’s challenge-based learning framework and wide-ranging international master’s programmes and specialisations, you’ll gain skills that translate seamlessly into any professional field. Its alumni have landed positions with global giants like ASML, the European Union, Microsoft, Google, LEGO, and eBay.
Or, if you have a groundbreaking business idea, UT’s commitment to turning knowledge into businesses can help you make it a reality. Over 1,200 graduates have launched thriving companies like Booking.com, JustEat Takeaway, GitLab, and Scisports. J58 founders, UT alumnus and entrepreneur Gabriel Costa and Stephanie Jansen, a senior researcher at Roessingh Research and Development, are just two examples of UT’s entrepreneurial spirit.
Costa’s background in industrial design engineering taught him to lead the technical design process, aligning with his goals as an inventor. Source: University of Twente
UT graduates pioneering a new era in mobility
The story of startup J58’s began in Brazil, where professional volleyball player Augusto Hosanna was confined to a wheelchair after a severe car accident. With help from his friend, Rivelino Montenegro, as well as Costa and Jansen, J58 was formed to make Hosanna’s dream of returning to the volleyball court a reality.
The result was The Next Wheelchair, a mechanical wheelchair powered by gas springs, which enables fluid movement without motors or batteries. It’s lightweight, far more affordable than electric models, and engineered to meet users’ needs precisely.
Each founder brings unique expertise to the team. Hosanna, who’s navigated life in a wheelchair, knows exactly what users need. Montenegro brings entrepreneurial drive, medical knowledge, and a PhD in materials science. Then there’s Costa, the tech mastermind with a Master’s in Industrial Design Engineering, and Jansen, who brought in-depth insights into end-user preferences and requirements. Through Novel-T, UT’s on-campus consultancy and startup incubator, J58 gets access to tailored coaching sessions and events designed to support startups, along with an affordable workspace at Incubase. They also join the MedTech Twente ecosystem, where even established companies like Demcon are willing to conduct pilots with beginning start-ups. “There’s an unmistakable culture of mutual support here,” the team notes.
As J58 finalises the first production model, Costa envisions The Next Wheelchair setting a new standard in mobility. But what makes their project a success and others a failure? Costa believes it’s all about thoughtful design. “We’re not the first to try making a standing wheelchair. Electric versions exist but come with limitations: they’re heavy, costly, and require batteries, making them hard to transport independently. We set out to change that,” he explains.
Jansen feels the same. “So many tech solutions fail because they don’t truly understand or respond to users’ needs,” she says.
UT’s programmes reflect the latest industry trends, ensuring you gain practical skills and theoretical knowledge to tackle real-world challenges. Source: University of Twente
Crafting the next generation of empathetic innovators
At UT, complex problems are approached from multiple disciplines. This multidisciplinary approach equips students with technical skills and empathy to design solutions that enhance lives. Costa explains the significance of this, stating, “Those not in wheelchairs take a lot for granted. We can just look everyone in the eye. Wheelchair users can’t. Going to the supermarket independently is already a challenge; you must always ask for help to grab something from a higher shelf.”
Jansen emphasises the importance of asking questions beyond technical specs, too: “We don’t just ask if the wheelchair is comfortable. We dig deeper into when, how, and where it will be used.”
This user-centred approach can be found in many of UT’s multidisciplinary Master’s programmes, particularly within AI and robotics. For example, the two-year Master’s in Interaction Technology focuses on designing intelligent, interactive systems that respond to end-user needs. From ideation to prototyping to testing, students learn how to enhance user experience by combining computer science, human-machine interaction, and artificial intelligence.
Similarly, the Master’s in Robotics prepares students to tackle complex challenges in healthcare, industry, and beyond. It covers various topics, from mechatronics to AI, and draws from key insights from the fields of mechanical engineering, computer science, and social sciences to develop well-rounded roboticists.
Across programmes, students are mentored by over 200 professionals in data science and AI, smart industry, eHealth, robotics, and cybersecurity. These leaders share insights in cutting-edge labs, such as the Robotics Centre, Wearable Robotics Lab, RAM Lab, and specialised AI research centres.
All in all, the professional support network at UT, combined with its entrepreneurial ecosystem, inspires many aspiring innovators to see Twente as the ultimate home away from home — just as Costa did, moving from Brazil and effortlessly settling into his new surroundings.
Follow the University of Twente on Facebook, Instagram, Issuu, LinkedIn, Mastodon, TikTok, and YouTube.
