Coaching & Mentorship
Taking an idea forward can feel overwhelming. Perhaps you’re torn between two possibilities: giving stray cats a new chance at life with a campus cat café, or developing a protein-rich beer. Or maybe you’re further along and need help building the back end of an app that improves women’s safety. It’s natural to ask yourself: “Which idea should I explore?”, “Can I really do this?”, and “Who can help me make this happen?”
Whether you’re brainstorming, refining a concept, or tackling development challenges, Playground's coaching programme is here to help UU students turning their thoughts into next steps. And the best part? It’s free!
Important: We’ve just launched a group coaching trajectory alongside our personal coaching. The first cohort starts in October 2026. Find more information below.
NEW: Group Coaching
Still figuring out your idea, or whether it's one worth pursuing? Don't just guess, put it to the test. In our new group coaching trajectory, you'll work on your own idea alongside other UU students who are figuring things out too. Across four 2.5-hour sessions, you'll shape your idea, test it with real people, learn from what happens, and get a better sense of whether it's worth taking further.
Our first cohort starts on 2 October. After the group coaching, you can continue building on your idea with personal coaching sessions.
Book an introductory session with Stijn or Wiepke to apply or discuss whether it's the right fit for you.
Note: You can join group coaching as an individual or team. If you've had a coaching session before, you can still participate in the group coaching. You will also need to book an introductory session with Wiepke or Stijn to discuss your options.
How Coaching Helps
Our experienced coaches provide guidance at every stage of your journey:
Brainstorm: Have ideas but don’t know where to start? We help you make decisions, shape your concept, and uncover its potential.
Refine & Validate: Stuck on the details? We provide constructive feedback and ensure your idea fits the market before you invest further.
Build & Execute: Ready to bring your idea to life? We guide you in creating a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) or prototype, and testing it with real users.
Unlike traditional incubators, we support ideas from all fields and different starting points; from tech start-ups to psychology projects, agricultural initiatives, and beyond.
What You’ll Gain
Clarity: Streamline your ideas and focus on what matters most.
Actionable next steps: Develop a clear roadmap to move forward.
Skills: Identify the entrepreneurial skills you need and access relevant (Playground) workshops.
Funding insights: Explore financing options and learn how to apply.
Branding insights: Learn how to build a brand that creates impact.
Connections: Access our network of experts, founders, investors, and potential co-founders.
Expert guidance: Get tailored advice from our coaches and industry insights from experienced entrepreneurs and mentors.
How It Works
Introductory session: Book a 45-minute introductory session with a Playground coach.
Refine your focus: Together, we explore your ideas and help you develop a clear direction forward. This can be done within our group or personal coaching sessions.
Ongoing support: Based on your needs, we match you with the right coach, and mentor. Mentors provide tailored advice, industry insights, and valuable connections.
Note: All coaching and mentoring sessions are free. It is not possible to pick a mentor; our coaches match you with the best fit for your goals.