Sustainable Facade Systems

#1 Register
First of all, you have to register on our platform. You can find a tutorial in the question "How to create an account on our platform and how to set it up?".

#2 Select the challenge 

The Future Materials Innovation Program consists of various challenges. Scroll up, look over the challenges and choose the one you are interested in, by clicking on ‘more information’. You will find the complete challenge briefing. Read it thoroughly.

#3 Select options of participation 

There are different options as to how you can participate in our challenges: You can create a new team for the challenge, join an existing team or participate alone (for further information: Look at the next question).

#4 Submit your idea 

Download the Submission Template.  Develop new ideas and approaches and submit them via our platform's challenge workspace before the given deadline has passed. Keep in mind that you have to submit the submission template in order to participate in the challenge.

About Würth

The Würth Group is the world market leader in the development, manufacture and sale of assembly and fastening materials.

At Würth, we're committed to spearheading advancements in construction practices that align with the demands of our ever-changing world. As climate-related challenges intensify, the need for sustainable building solutions becomes paramount. This is where our innovation challenge comes into play.

With decades of experience, Würth is more than just a company; we're a driving force that propels industries forward. By participating in this challenge, you'll not only have the chance to collaborate with a leader in the field but also contribute to creating a lasting impact on the built environment.

#1 Participate alone 

You can participate alone by clicking on the 'Join Now' button in your chosen challenge page and then click on the 'Join Alone' option. If you change your mind during the challenge and decide to work together, it's not a problem. You can simply delete your participation and choose another option.

#2 Participate as a team 

You are already friends, fellow students or colleagues and want to participate together? You have already (pre)founded a start-up? That is great! One person from your team needs to click on the 'Join Now' button and select 'Start Your Own Team'. If you already have all the members you need, ignore the last question 'What does your team need?' in the pop-up. When you are ready to add new members, fill it out so your team is open to requests.

All remaining team members: Register on the platform, sign in and request to join the team of your teammate in the tab "Teams". Every team member has equal rights, there is no admin position.

#3 Join an existing team 

You know that you want to participate in a team, but you do not have anyone in mind to join? Have a look at the question "Questions or looking for team members?" and learn more about our team matching opportunities.

#4 Not sure yet? Team Matching! 

You are not sure if you want to participate and want to see what's out there first? No problem! We have provided you with a team-matching channel on Slack! Just click on the “find team-mates” button in the challenge info box.

Yes, of course! Our challenges are open to any kind of participant! Please follow the registration flow of #2 Participate as a team as described in the question above.

We are aware that your solution concepts are at different stages of development and that's okay! However, make sure to check out the knowledge base of the respective challenges in order to not miss out on additional information for your approach. This challenge might require a higher level of maturity. Please refer to your the "Detailed Information" Tab of your chosen challenge to find out more about the maturity level required.

For the submission, it is sufficient to describe your idea or approach in the submission template and upload it via our platform. It does not have to be a fully developed concept with a concrete implementation strategy. A visualization of your approach ( e.g. a sketch, visual drafts or prototype) is beneficial - it should be as well developed as possible but appropriate to the time you have. Remember, there will be an elaboration phase for the finalists of this challenge, in which you will develop your submitted idea/approach. 

Within the lines of the Future Materials Innovation Program, the solutions should be on a higher level than just ideas. Ideally, the solution is already in a testing stage. However this is still an open innovation challenge. Therefore any team with interesting novel approaches or developed concepts on a theoretical basis are welcome to hand it in as well. If this is the case for you, make sure to include more visualization in your submission (i.e., prototypes, sketches, visual drafts)

Your business idea fits to our challenge? Excellent! Then take part and let's take the next steps together. You only have to fill in the submission template. In addition, you can upload further materials, such as a pitch deck.

Check out our tutorial: Get started! 

Check out our tutorial: Join a Challenge!

There are no degree requirements. This challenge is open for every ambitious mind determined to make an impact with an innovative approach to the topic, no matter if student, researcher, Startup, etc. 

This Innovation Challenge will be conducted in English. 

Your participation is not binding until you submit the form, and the qualification phase ends. You can always withdraw your submission before the deadline. Once you have uploaded your submission and you want to take part, please consider the timeline and be aware that you should be able to participate in every further step.

After the end of the deadline (December 19, 2023), the submissions will be reviewed by the challenge provider. The final teams of every challenge will be selected and invited to participate in the digital Innovation Bootcamp of the Future Materials Innovation Program. We will inform you via mail. Check the timeline. 

Meet up & question-call every Tuesday from 11:00 - 11:30 and Thursday from 17:00 - 17:30 (CET)  
If you want to talk to someone from our team about your approaches, you need more information or if questions arise, just join one of our calls every Tuesday. It is a group call and you also get the chance to meet other innovators! 
Simply register here 

The legal process within the Challenge is designed to enable students, researchers as well as startups or corporates to participate and is thus as follows:

The participants have two options to take part in the Challenge.

1) When submitting their idea, they can agree to a project-related agreement that is provided by Würth regarding the regulation for the rights of use and ownership of their ideas and submit it signed via the platform. You can download the project-related agreement in german or english (following soon).

2) Otherwise, it is possible to indicate in the submission template (see tab submission) not to agree to the agreement and to negotiate an individual agreement with Würth. 

If Würth is interested in your solution and thus in negotiating individual agreement, a negotiation with Würth will be organized after the submission deadline.

If there is no interest or no capacities to further implement the approach or to start a long-term collaboration/ business partnership with Würth, it could be beneficial to sign the project-related agreement. If the parties (Challenge Provider and Participant) cannot reach an agreement in a negotiation of an individual agreement, the Challenge Provider is entitled to name a successor.

All details can be found in the conditions of participation and If you have any questions please reach out to us anytime.