ASC: A COMPETITIVE PROGRAM FOR PROMISING DUTCH ACADEMIC VENTURES
We are excited to announce that applications for the 5th edition of the Academic Startup Competition are open!
ASC is an annual competitive program for the most promising academic ventures originating from Dutch universities, research institutes and applied science institutes. The objective of the ASC is to accelerate the growth of ambitious founders, provide clarity on where to focus and to open doors previously closed.
We are seeking 40 top teams from all scientific fields. Nominations will come from Dutch universities, their incubators, UMCs, TO2 institutions, and affiliated programs.
Each round starts with an inspirational event where startups explore a new topic with guidance from experienced founders, scientists, industry experts, and investors. Teams then work within their cluster to address key challenges in IP, execution, and team dynamics, with access to expert help lines. The round wraps up with a pitch session where teams present their progress to a jury, which decides who advances to the next round.
ASC begins with 40 teams, eliminating 10 each round until 10 winning teams are selected to travel to the USA. These teams join ScaleNL on a mission to meet Silicon Valley entrepreneurs, investors, and ecosystem connectors.
So, are you an academic spin-off with a strong partnership with Dutch research institutes? Do you have a team of at least two, including a full-time founder, and initial funding? Do you have a solid technical or social science foundation?
Discover if you’re one of the most promising Dutch academic startups for 2024/25 and ensure your nomination before November 11, 2024.
The ASC Timeline
The winners of 2024
Eligibility Criteria
- You are a registered commercial or impact startup originated from scientific knowledge connected to Dutch Universities, University Medical Centers or Research Institutes
- Your startup is either within 6 months before incorporation or within 3 years after incorporation and has secured initial funding.
- Based on a new technology, a scientific discovery, a complex engineering process or a new disruptive systemic process with potential for global impact
- Addressing an industrial, societal or environmental unmet need or creating a new market within the 5 defined domains (see impact domains)
- Consisting of a team of at least 2 members, including at least one full-time founder
- Not a subsidiary or spin-off of an existing company
- Your startup has not won the Academic Startup Competition Award in previous editions
COMPETING IMPACT AREAS
In the Academic Startup Competition, our primary focus is on startups offering solutions within one of five key impact areas. However, the competition itself will not concentrate on any specific domain. We will provide support on topics relevant to all founders, regardless of your focus area.
Transition in Healthcare & Wellbeing – Revolutionizing Patient Care and Transforming Lives
Are you the visionary behind groundbreaking solutions that are set to revolutionize healthcare? Do you have the potential to transform lives? We are seeking innovators with ideas that could redefine patient care, advance medical technologies, and enhance overall well-being. Be the catalyst for medical breakthroughs, bringing healthier and happier lives to people worldwide. Your startup could be the key to a brighter, healthier future.
Transition in Agriculture, Food and Water – Innovating for a Sustainable Future
Are you the changemaker addressing global food security and sustainability challenges? Do you have a vision for the future of nourishment? We’re on the lookout for innovators in the Agriculture, Food, and Water sectors. Your transformative ideas could improve farming practices, advance water conservation, and build a more resilient food supply chain. Join us in creating a world where everyone has access to safe, nutritious food, and where your innovations make a meaningful impact on both people and the planet.
Building New, Clean & Sustainable Industries – Pioneering Smart Industry 4.0 Innovations
Are you the visionary ready to revolutionize industries with smarter, more efficient solutions? We’re seeking innovators in Smart Industry 4.0 to lead the next industrial revolution. Your ideas could streamline production, boost flexibility, and enhance sustainability throughout value chains. Additionally, are you driving the push for a cleaner, greener, and more circular world? If your solutions champion carbon-neutral, climate-conscious practices, we want to hear from you.
Join us in shaping a technologically advanced, sustainable future. Your startup could redefine industries, tackle climate change, and pave the way to a greener tomorrow, becoming a cornerstone of this industry evolution and a beacon of hope for a planet-friendly future.
Energy Transition – Leading the Shift to a Cleaner, Greener Future
Are you at the forefront of creating a more sustainable energy landscape? Are you driving the transformation toward renewable energy sources? We’re looking for innovators in the energy transition field! Your visionary ideas could accelerate the adoption of renewable technologies, combat climate change, and ensure widespread energy access. Join us in reshaping the energy sector and becoming a key driver of a vibrant, sustainable world. Your startup could be the guiding force towards a brighter, greener tomorrow.
Towards an Equal, Diverse, Inclusive & Secure Society – Innovating for Safety and Empowerment
Are you an advocate for an inclusive and equitable society, or a guardian of digital and physical security? We’re seeking innovators committed to both fostering unity and empowerment and ensuring personal and corporate safety. Whether your focus is on advancing equality, diversity, and inclusion or on defending against cyber threats and enhancing physical safety, your groundbreaking solutions could drive a safer, more equitable future.
Your transformative initiatives could break down barriers, bridge gaps, and ensure everyone’s voice is heard, while also safeguarding against digital threats and ensuring privacy. Join us to create a safer future where individuals, organizations, and societies thrive without fear. Your startup could be the catalyst that builds a more inclusive, secure foundation for modern society.
PREVIOUS EDITIONS
2022
Grand Finale ASC edition 2022
2020
Impressions ASC edition 2020
ACADEMIC STARTUP COMPETITION IS AN INITIATIVE OF
