Ten innovative startups born out of academic research have been selected as finalists for the Academic Startup Competition 2026. These ventures are among the most promising young companies in the Netherlands and will soon prepare for the U.S. Preparation Trip in London, where they will refine their growth strategies and get ready to scale internationally.

Celebrating the winners of the Academic Startup Competition 2025: ten groundbreaking academic startups driving innovation from science to real-world impact.

Ten innovative startups born out of academic research have been selected as finalists for the Academic Startup Competition 2025. These ventures are among the most promising young companies in the Netherlands and are will soon be preparing for the U.S. Preparation Trip in London, where they will refine their growth strategies and get ready to scale internationally.

Last week marked a significant milestone for the finalists of the Academic Startup Competition as they gathered in London for the USA Preparation Program. Over the course of two intensive days, the cohort was immersed in hands-on sessions, strategic discussions, and meaningful connections — all designed to prepare them for their upcoming U.S. journey.

The Academic Startup Competition 2024/25 has reached an important milestone. After an intense and highly competitive selection round, the ten most promising startups have been chosen to advance to the final phase. They will now further refine their international growth strategies during an exclusive USA Preparation Program in London.

With Pitch Day on April 2nd in Eindhoven just around the corner, our founders took a deep dive into the art of pitching during an interactive and high-energy session with global pitch coach David Beckett (Best3Minutes) at Roeterseiland Impact.  The goal? Crafting compelling stories, engaging investors, and delivering pitches with confidence—all essential skills as they prepare to showcase their groundbreaking ventures.

The Academic Startup Competition 2024/25 entered a new phase with Round 3: Business Planning & Execution Ability! This pivotal stage focused on equipping our science-driven startups with the tools and strategies needed to transform their ideas into scalable ventures.

The Academic Startup Competition 2024/25 took another exciting step forward with Pitch Day Impact Potential & the launch of Round 2: Team Power! This event brought together our most promising science-driven startups for a day filled with high-energy pitches, valuable insights, and hands-on collaboration.

Last Friday, January the 17th, the Academic Startup Competition 2024/25 officially launched at Omnia, Wageningen University. This dynamic kick-off event brought together the Top 40 science-based startups, industry experts, and thought leaders for a day filled with inspiration, strategic insights, and collaboration.

We’re delighted to highlight the success stories of our remarkable participants in the Academic Startup Competition Programme. Transforming research into real-world impact is no small feat, and these inspiring founders have embraced the challenge wholeheartedly. Here’s a glimpse into their experiences and insights along the way...

The Academic Startup Competition has officially received an overwhelming response, with almost 80 nominations from universities, incubators, research centers, and applied science institutes across the Netherlands! This is a testament to the incredible innovation happening throughout the country—and we’re excited to see these brilliant startups join us on a journey of growth, collaboration, and opportunity.

Are you an ambitious founder aiming to make a real impact with your academic startup? The Academic Startup Competition is back for its 5th edition, and it’s your chance to take your venture to new heights. Read on to learn how ASC is empowering founders across the Netherlands to refine their focus, expand their networks, and unlock valuable opportunities.

The 10 winners of the Academic Startup Competition ten winners have been named: TargED biopharmaceuticals, Time Travelling Milkman, Carbyon, Quix Quantum, Mantispectra bv, Sensip DX, Exit071, Cellcius bv, Pharmi and ImcoMet bv. They earned the title of "The Most Promising Academic Startup in the Netherlands," and will go on a tailor-made business trip to the USA.

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, have nominated 20 academic startups as finalists to compete in the Grand Finale of the Academic Startup Competition 2022 for the title of "Most Promising Academic Startup in the Netherlands.’

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, have nominated 20 academic startups as finalists to compete in the Grand Finale of the Academic Startup Competition 2022 for the title of "Most Promising Academic Startup in the Netherlands.’

After 3 months of scouting for the most promising Dutch academic startup companies, the registration deadline is closed. With over 120 registrations, this year's applicants are from a very broad spectrum, leading from deep-tech, to SDG-focused, to social startups