Laying the Foundation: Business Planning Basics

The day began with an inspiring keynote by Daan A.J. Kersten, Founder and CEO of Include Industries, who shared invaluable insights on Business Planning & Strategy. His session covered essential principles of strategic planning, helping startups sharpen their long-term vision and operational roadmap.

From Strategy to Execution

Building on this foundation, startups engaged in deep-dive sessions on:

–              Commercial Planning – Market positioning, customer focus, and go-to-market strategy.

–              Financial Planning – Governance, budgeting, and measuring progress for sustainable growth.

These sessions provided a practical framework to bridge the gap between strategy and execution, ensuring founders are prepared to navigate the complexities of scaling their businesses.

Ask Me Anything: Insights from Scale-Up Founders

In the afternoon, two seasoned entrepreneurs—Wouter Bruins (In Ovo) and Marc van Moorsel (TargED Biopharmaceuticals)—led interactive breakout sessions. They shared real-world experiences on:
– Securing funding & managing investor relations
– Strategic leadership & company growth
– Navigating regulatory challenges in deeptech & biotech

These sessions sparked thought-provoking discussions and provided founders with concrete takeaways to apply in their own ventures.

A Special Thanks to Our Hosts!

A huge thank you to Rianne Poot and Freek van Muiswinkel from Utrecht University and the EWUU alliance (TU/e, WUR, UU, UMC Utrecht) for hosting us at The Playground, Utrecht University’s inspiring new Centre for Entrepreneurship!

What’s Next? Preparing for the Finals!

March 14/18 – Helplines with Daan A.J. Kersten & Ilko Bosman (Include Industries)
March 20 – Pitch training with David Beckett (Best3Minutes)
April 2 – Pitch Day Finals
April 24-25 – USA Prep Training (for finalists) in London

We’re incredibly proud of the progress made by all teams and excited to see them take their next steps. The final stage is approaching—let’s go!