ORANJESTAD, Aruba — The Kingdom Startup Program Aruba has been officially introduced as a six-week academic initiative designed to connect university students with entrepreneurship, commerce and innovation.
Aruba’s Minister of Education, Gerlien Croes, attended the official introduction and presentation of the programme.
The initiative aims to strengthen cooperation among universities in Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten while introducing students to practical methods for transforming academic knowledge into solutions for real regional challenges.
Universities Join Regional Programme
The Kingdom Startup Program Aruba brings together students from the University of Aruba, the University of Curaçao and the University of Sint Maarten.
The programme seeks to build a strong regional partnership involving universities, private businesses, public institutions, mentors and other organizations throughout the Dutch Caribbean.
Students from the three islands will learn together and develop ideas addressing shared challenges in areas such as sustainability, economic diversification, healthcare and digital transformation.
During the programme’s presentation, participating teams were given an opportunity to explain the ideas they are currently developing.
Local and international mentors will guide the students as they research problems, test possible solutions and develop their business concepts.
Connecting Education With Practical Experience
The Kingdom Startup Program Aruba is intended to connect academic theory with practical application.
Students will learn to move beyond assumptions by gathering evidence, interviewing potential customers and testing prototypes in real-world situations.
The programme will use internationally recognized methods, including Lean Startup, Business Model Canvas and Design Thinking.
Through these approaches, participants will learn how to identify community problems, recognize business opportunities and create solutions based on customer needs.
Organizers said the practical experience will help students develop an entrepreneurial mindset while giving them the tools and resources needed to consider entrepreneurship as a professional career.
Customer Discovery Week in Aruba
The programme will be delivered through a hybrid format combining online sessions with in-person activities.
A major part of the initiative is Customer Discovery Week, during which students from Curaçao and Sint Maarten will visit Aruba in July 2026.
The week will include field research, specialized workshops and a networking reception where students can connect with local business founders, professionals and potential customers.
These activities will allow participants to test their ideas directly within the Aruban market and receive feedback from experienced entrepreneurs.
Showcase Day Planned for August
The Kingdom Startup Program Aruba will conclude with Showcase Week at the University of Aruba in August 2026.
During the final Showcase Day, student teams will present their projects to investors, business leaders and representatives from the regional startup ecosystem.
Winning teams may receive mini-grants to continue developing their projects. They may also be offered opportunities to enter incubation programmes that can help transform their ideas into sustainable businesses.
The initiative is expected to strengthen regional university cooperation while encouraging a new generation of entrepreneurs and innovators across the Dutch Caribbean.
