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Your Adventure Begins Now! How to Join the Academic Startup Competition

We’re seeking the 40 best teams from across all scientific fields. Nominations are coming from Dutch universities, their incubators, UMCs, TO2 institutions, and affiliated programs. Want a shot at the top? Ensure you get nominated before November 11, 2024, and secure your spot in the race!

This year, applications are by nomination only, so you’ll need to be nominated by one of our partner institutes to participate. If your startup meets the eligibility criteria, we encourage you to reach out directly to these institutes to secure a nomination before November 11th!

Startups are eligible for nomination if they meet the following criteria:
  • They are registered commercial or impact startups derived from scientific knowledge affiliated with Dutch Universities, University Medical Centers, or Research Institutes.
  • The startup is either within 6 months before incorporation or within 3 years after incorporation and has already secured initial funding.
  • The startup is based on new technology, a scientific discovery, a complex engineering process, or a disruptive systemic process with the potential for global impact.
  • The startup addresses an unmet industrial, societal, or environmental need or creates a new market within the five defined impact areas.
  • The team consists of at least two members, including at least one full-time founder.
  • The startup is not a subsidiary or spin-off of an existing company.
  • The startup has not won the Academic Startup Competition Award in previous editions.

After being nominated by one of our partner institutions, we will personally reach out to you to explore your interest in joining the program. The application process is straightforward, making it easy for you to secure your spot in the upcoming edition.

A selection committee will choose the top eight startups in each of the following key impact areas from all applications:

  • Healthcare & Wellbeing Transformation
  • Agriculture, Food & Water Sustainability
  • Development of Clean & Sustainable Industries
  • Energy Transition
  • Promoting an Equal, Diverse, Inclusive & Secure Society

This selection will result in 40 teams advancing to the competition, with the final list announced on November 15th.

Over three rounds, guided by seasoned founders and industry experts, teams tackle challenges in Intellectual Property, Execution Ability, and Team Dynamics. Each round ends with pitch sessions judged by a jury, narrowing the field to 10 winning teams. These finalists will travel to the USA for an eye-opening discovery trip with ScaleNL, connecting with Silicon Valley’s finest entrepreneurs, investors, and ecosystem leaders.

GET NOMINATED!


ASC SHOWDOWN: THREE ROUNDS OF EPIC RIVALRY

Each round kicks off with an inspirational event where startups dive into fresh topics with guidance from seasoned founders, scientists, industry experts, and investors. Teams then tackle challenges in IP, execution ability, and team dynamics, with expert help lines at their disposal. The round concludes with a pitch session where teams showcase their progress to a jury that decides who advances.

Here’s the journey:

🏁 Start with 40 Teams: Compete through three elimination rounds, with 10 teams eliminated each time.

📈 Collaborate and Grow: Work within your cluster to address pain points, accessing top-notch national and international support.

📚 Learn and Interact: Engage in dynamic learning and development as you compete.

🥇 Reach the Final 10: The top teams travel to the USA for an eye-opening discovery trip with ScaleNL, connecting with Silicon Valley’s finest entrepreneurs, investors, and ecosystem leaders.

TESTIMONIALS

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