During the third edition of the ASC; Techleap, Universities of the Netherlands, AcTI, NFU, THRIVE Institute and the Ministry of Economic Affairs & Climate, were looking for the most promising academic startups in the Netherlands. The Academic Startup Competition looks for startup companies that are linked to the world of academia. We provide a stage for academic entrepreneurs from all fields. Leading from deep-tech to SDG-focused, to social startups.

The ASC aims to valorize academic startups in their respective fields, whilst also wanting to connect them with startups from other fields. Sharing skills, knowledge and expertise is why we want to include various and diverse organizations into our network. We do this by giving national and international recognition to academic startups that provide innovative solutions to global challenges.

This year’s grand prize, the tailor-made business trip to the USA, is the optimal way of connecting the Dutch and American startup ecosystems, which are among the two highest-ranked in the worl

2022-10-04 Academic Startup Competition (Arie Kers) (239)

2022-10-04 Academic Startup Competition (Arie Kers) (295)

This year's journey

Deadline 15 Augustus 2022

Startup Scouting

All applicants had the possibility to show through the platform Mentorjam why they deserve to be named as one of the most promising academic startups in the Netherlands. After 3 months of scouting for the most academic startup companies, the registration deadline closed on the 15th of August. With over 120 registrations, this year’s applicants were from a very broad spectrum, leading from deep-tech, to SDG-focused, to social startups.

Deadline 15 Augustus 2022

1 September 2022

Selecting Startups

After hitting a record number of registrations, the Association of Universities in the Netherlands (UNL), the Netherlands Academy of Technology and Innovation (AcTI), Techleap and THRIVE Institute, nominated 20 academic startups as finalists to compete in this year's Grand Finale. After a concise selection procedure, the top 20 startups were announced in September. The finalists were selected based on their team structure, business model, disruptive innovation, track record & progress and societal impact.

1 September 2022

21 September 2022

Inspiration Event

During the Inspiration Event on the 21st of September at the Erasmus Enterprise in Rotterdam, the finalists received peer-to-peer sessions by Janet Bumpas and a pitch preparation by David Beckett. This journey introduced the startups to all the ins and outs of doing business in the United States.

21 September 2022

4 October 2022

Grand Finale

On the 4th of October, the Grand Finale was held at the Rotterdam Science Tower. The 20 finalists did their pitch in front of an esteemed jury. On this day, the jury selected the 10 winners of the Academic Startup Competition 2022: TargED biopharmaceuticals, Time-travelling Milkman, Carbyon, Quix Quantum bv, Mantispectra bv, Sensip-dx, Exit071, Cellcius bv, Pharmi and ImcoMet bv.

4 October 2022

November 2022

USA Business Trip

A tailor-made USA business trip tailored to the needs and phase of each startup. They will visit the most relevant hubs in the USA for their startup. The winners will get a tailor-made business trip to the USA. offered by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy and join a major international network of experienced entrepreneurs and researchers.

November 2022