Bring a brief
An international student team researches your users and builds prototypes you can test. Partners include Yanmar, PostFinance and Attract.
SUGAR Network for Design Innovation
Put the human into human-centred design.
Master-student teams from member universities solve real briefs from corporate partners in nine months of design thinking.
Join through your university
There is no separate application: you take the SUGAR course at a member university.
Proof · real projects
Not case studies. Real briefs.
Every project starts from a challenge a corporate partner really has.
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Mobility & travel
LED light patterns mirror the car's speed to reduce motion sickness while reading
Physical product2018/19
Food & farming
A hive-entrance gateway lures varroa mites away while bees pass freely
Physical product2022/23
Industry & operations
Operators and cobots signal position and intent to each other in both directions
Physical product2019/20
Living & leisure
A round jet-powered platform that novices steer by shifting their body weight
11 km/htop speed of the final prototype
Physical product2016/17
Mobility & travel
A 3D-printed micro-mobility vehicle made from recyclable fluorene cellulose fibre
2.5 %FLCF share in the first prototype compound
Physical product2021/22
Health & care
Eye blinking and heart rate are used to predict fatigue before it strikes
Digital service2019/20
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Finance & insurance
Investors buy a share of a video's future ad revenue at auction
Business model2021/22
Living & leisure
One plywood piece converts from rocking crib to table, chairs and toy box
710 EURProjected potential saving for a family
Physical product2010/11
Food & farming
Computer vision records what comes back on plates, per diner and dish
79 %Of sector food waste is plate scraps
Digital service2018/19
Health & care
Medical assistants on site run the examination while the doctor joins by video
Service concept2021/22
Industry & operations
A portable frame with self-centring tyre targets calibrates windshield cameras at customers
2×faster calibration, tested with technicians
Physical product2020/21
Sustainability & resources
Yarn blending bioplastic with leftover cotton replaces fossil fibres in knitwear
Physical product2017/18
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Sustainability & resources
Tobacco shops buy back used nitrous oxide canisters and trigger collection pick-ups
2 €Concept payout per returned canister
Service concept2025/26
Education & society
An automated station distributes food portions, goods and information after earthquakes
30 kmsome house refugees walk to an open shop
Physical product2016/17
Work & organisations
Software records why teams decided something, so AI agents act on that context
Platform2025/26
One academic year
How SUGAR works
Teams work from October to June and meet their partner at four milestones.
- OctKick-Off
- Nov
- DecFall
- Jan
- Feb
- MarWinter
- Apr
- May
- JunExpo
Recap
See all eventsLast on stage
Recap · Palo Alto
3 Jun3 June 2026 · Palo Alto
SUGAR Expo 2026 in Palo Alto
Five international, interdisciplinary student teams pitch the results of nine months in Palo Alto.
For universities
Teaching at a university?
Bring SUGAR to your campus and run the course with partner universities worldwide.
Mogii · 2020/21