From no fewer than an astounding 57 contenders, the Association of Universities in the Netherlands (VSNU), the Netherlands Academy of Technology and Innovation (AcTI) and Techleap have nominated 20 academic startups to compete in the finals of the second edition of the Academic Startup Competition. The level of the applications was very high, but finally the most ground-breaking and innovative academic startups were indeed selected to compete to become 'Best academic start-up in the Netherlands'.
The finalists are: Bimini Biotech BV, DeNoize, Digi.Bio B.V., ECsens, GOAL 3, IamFluidics B.V., Kaminari Medical B.V., Lusoco, MLA Diagnostics BV, NC Biomatrix bv, NextRound, PATS Indoor Drone Solutions, Phosphoenix, Predica Diagnostics, SOLHO BV, Taylor, uCrowds B.V., VanBoven, Venous Stent BV, Vertigo Technologies.
These startups are responsible for state-of-the-art and ground-breaking innovations in various fields, including Life Sciences, Health, High Tech, Energy, Logistics and Agri-food. The finalists were selected based on their value proposition, the innovative character of the technology involved, the potential of their business and profit model, and the startup team composition.
TU/e startups
GOAL 3
Doctors and nurses in developing nations are unable to help their patients in time, because they lack the people, training and equipment needed. GOAL 3 identifies and develops data-driven health technologies from a perspective of collaboration and fair-data. These technologies are combined into an integrated and easy-to-use digital tool for health workers.
Lusoco
Lusoco produces glass that harvests energy during the day and emits light at night. Using fluorescent dyes to absorb sunlight and light, guiding this towards edge-attached solar cells is the key of the technology.
NC Biomatrix
74 to 85% of the population experience back pain at least once in their lives - of which the most prevalent cause is degenerative disc disease. NC Biomatrix's innovative product is a medical therapy able to restore the natural biomechanics of the spine, alleviating the common cause of low back pain.
Taylor
Taylor develops and supplies micro-electronics for the PV industry. With Taylor's product, commercial-scale PV installations are safer and quicker to design, construct, and maintain, whilst providing a higher return on investment. Taylor supplies her products directly to solar module manufacturers to be integrated within the module's junction box.
The final
A professional jury will select ten winners from the list of finalists in November. These winners may lay claim to the title of 'Best Academic Startup of 2020' for a full year, and will receive access to special workshops, to peer to peer learning, and to a major national and international network of experienced entrepreneurs and researchers. The startups will also be participating in an online incubator mission to the United States, offered by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy. This mission will introduce the startups to the latest technology and business innovations in their field, while experienced entrepreneurs will be teaching them about all the ins and outs of doing business in the United States. The winners will also have the opportunity of moving on from startup to scale-up.
About the Academic Startup Competition
The Academic Startup Competition, now being organised a second time, is a joint initiative of AcTI, Techleap and VSNU. The aim of the competition is to raise the visibility of ground-breaking innovations being developed at Dutch universities. AcTI, Techleap and the universities are combining forces in this initiative to develop an academic startup ecosystem which is as strong as possible, allowing outstanding Dutch scientific knowledge to be harnessed to create new products and services. This will generate the strongest possible impact that science can have on society.
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