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Flash
FLASH is an idea competition run by MAFEX at Philipps-Universität Marburg. Four times a year, we look for the best new idea from the university and reward it with €500.
Many of the best ideas arise spontaneously: in the coffee kitchen, between experiments, in the hallway. FLASH catches these ideas before they get lost. You don't need a fully developed concept, a team, or a prototype: your idea and five minutes are enough.
How does it work?
- Submit
Describe your idea in a maximum of 300 words via our online form. Log in with your university account, and you're done. - Preselection
After each submission deadline, the MAFEX jury selects up to ten particularly exciting ideas and presents them anonymously on our channels for two weeks — as inspiration for others. - Winning idea
One idea from the Top 10 is ultimately awarded: €500 prize money, presentation by name (only with your consent), and, if desired, an initial meeting with MAFEX to discuss possible further development.
Who can take part?
Everyone affiliated with Philipps-Universität Marburg: students, researchers, staff from administration and technical departments. Individuals as well as teams. From all 16 departments — and explicitly not just classic startup ideas. An idea that makes something a bit easier at your institute is just as welcome as a business model.
What happens to my idea?
Your idea remains your idea. We don't claim any rights to its use, nor do we commit you to anything. During the evaluation phase, only the MAFEX staff entrusted with the competition see your submission — no one else at the university, including no instructors from your department.
More details can be found in our Terms of Participation and in the Privacy Policy.
Ready for your flash of insight?
Next deadline
August 15, 2026
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Does my idea have to be "new"?
New in the sense of not yet implemented — yes. But you don't have to be the first person in the world to have had this thought. A well-known solution applied to a specific context in a new way also counts as an idea within the meaning of FLASH. The only ideas excluded are those already implemented within an existing company or already funded through a program such as EXIST or Hessen Ideen.
Can we submit as a team, too?
Yes. Ideas can be developed by individuals or teams. However, for each idea, one person submits on behalf of the group, and if the idea wins, the prize money is paid out to that one person — how it's split within the team is up to you to arrange among yourselves.
If I win, do I have to do something with my idea?
No. Submitting doesn't commit you to anything. If you win, we'll make you an offer for further development — you can accept it, but you don't have to. You can submit your idea, take the prize money, and leave it at that. Or you can bring us on board and see what can be made of it. It's your choice.
Still have a question? Write to us at flash@uni-marburg.de — we usually reply within two business days.