From science to business: these UvA researchers founded a start-up
Over the next seven years, the cabinet will make more than 19 million euros available to retrain scientists to become entrepreneurs. Through the national programme, the Faculty of Impact, dozens of scientists will receive training and funding to bring inventions to market. Three researchers of the University of Amsterdam explain what the programme brought to them.
Last week, there was discontent among Dutch tech start-ups about the entrepreneurial climate. The report The State of Dutch Tech by start-up organisation Techleap showed that while in 2023 there were 197 new start-ups in the Netherlands, in 2024 there were only 128.
One ray of hope: the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science has allocated over 19 million euros for the next seven years to develop new start-ups. Via the Faculty of Impact, a national, two-year programme based on a American model and promoted by ambassador Prince Constantijn of Techleap, the government wants to educate researchers to become entrepreneurs. Three UvA researchers share their experiences.
Tijmen Bakker (34), founder Lightcore
“I only just made it into the first intake of the Faculty of Impact, with the lowest score of the ten participants. I had written a proposal to use transparent, coloured solar cells, which I had worked on in the lab during my PhD, to provide lighting for greenhouse farming.”
“When I started talking to farmers, it quickly became clear that solar cells the size of a euro coin were not profitable for greenhouse horticulture: they need many square metres. I also did not have a patent on the technology, which made it even more difficult.”
“I had already announced my departure from the programme to the directors, but they just laughed. They said: “You have an aspirin, but you are looking for someone with a headache.” In other words, I had to find out which market was a good fit for my product, solar cells that can function as a battery.”
“Step by step, I started to test markets: could the solar cells charge smoke detectors, remote controls, you name it. Eventually, I asked myself, do I want to bring this technology to market at all costs, or do I want to start a company? I chose the latter.”
“I now have a start-up in energy solutions for off grid energy systems called Lightcore. These are systems for speed cameras or sensors in fields where it is too expensive to lay a power cable. I use my knowledge of solar cells and batteries and the university network to develop new products.”
“There is an idea and a prototype, but now comes the bridging phase: the valley of death. This is the most difficult phase for a start-up to find financing if there is no product yet, especially in the Netherlands. Only 22 percent of Dutch start-ups eventually grow into a scale-up.”
“In this phase, you have to rely on business angels, successful entrepreneurs who dare to look at the long term and the company’s vision. There should be more of them in the Netherlands, as Prince Constantijn keeps emphasising. Either the state should step in or make investing in start-ups more attractive through tax breaks. Otherwise, entrepreneurs will just as easily move to America and take the technology with them.”
“It is unique that money is now available for the start of the start-up process: the seeds that are beginning to sprout. But how the carefully cultivated seedlings should proceed is the second question.”
“Nevertheless, I do not regret my choice. I have many irons in the fire to secure funding. It remains uncertain and hard work, eighty hours a week is no exception, but I have not been bored for a single day.”
Olivier Lugier (30) founder Nano Hybrids
“During my postdoc at the Van ‘t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS) at the University of Amsterdam, my supervisor, Stefania Grecea, came up with the idea of producing nanoparticles ourselves. Nanoparticles are very small spheres, in our case made of metal. Nanoparticles have all kinds of applications, for example corona testing. Because the particles are so small, the surface area of the test becomes larger and the chemical reaction proceeds faster - and so you get your test result sooner.”
“What makes our nanoparticles unique is that we produce them without a solvent. In chemistry, reactions are often carried out in a solvent, a chemical in which you first dissolve the substances you want to react and later have to purify them out again. Our method has the advantage that the nanoparticles are purer and the production process is more sustainable. We ultimately decided to set up a spin-off, Nano Hybrids, and are developing a machine that produces nanoparticles. We were supported by the startup incubator Innovation Exchange Amsterdam (IXA), prior to incorporation, and secured funding from UvA Ventures Holding for the first phase of the venture.”
“I never thought I would be able to start up a company myself. In chemistry, and more generally in deep tech you need a lab with equipment, so you have to invest a lot at the beginning. It’s really a chance to have the support of the university’s ecosystem in the first year.”
“In addition, the Faculty of Impact programme is an opportunity for me to develop as an entrepreneur. Every month we meet for a few days and receive training in law, accounting, patents, negotiations, clinical tests... I could never have learnt that so quickly on my own.”
“Nano Hybrids will certainly still be around in five years’ time. I’m not too worried about the business climate in the Netherlands: that kind of thing can change again in a few years’ time, so even if I monitor it, I can’t plan for it, especially at that stage of the business.”
Ewelina Weglarz-Tomczak, founder NatInLab
“I decided to become an entrepreneur when I realised that during my scientific career I had gained deep knowledge about a specific group of enzymes, proteins that can accelerate a reaction. When these enzymes become overactive, they can lead to a range of diseases. I saw an opportunity to find a solution to this.”
“I have always been driven by the desire to make a meaningful social impact and use my knowledge to improve people’s lives. That motivated me to make the transition from research to entrepreneurship and to build a bridge between scientific discoveries and real-world applications.”
“I am doing this with the pharmaceutical start-up NatInLab. Our goal is to bring the first treatment to market that can slow down Alzheimer’s disease, instead of just fighting the symptoms. To achieve this, we are focusing on key enzymes in the disease process. In the future, we also want to use the technology to fight other diseases.”
“The Faculty of Impact is truly in a class of its own. Instead of one or two weeks, the programme lasts two years and during those two years you also receive a postdoc salary so you can focus one hundred percent of your time, brainpower and energy on turning your research into impact.”
“So far, the programme has given me valuable insights into translating scientific research into applications in the real world. I have gained more insight into entrepreneurship, business development and the steps needed to bring an innovative idea to market. The programme helped me refine my vision, strengthen my strategic thinking and develop the skills needed to tackle challenges in the biotech industry. I also learned about the importance of networking, collaborating and effectively communicating my scientific expertise to various stakeholders, from investors to potential partners.”
