Especially in uncertain and rapidly changing times, the South Holland region continues to invest in the economy of the future. While investments in innovation are under pressure, South Holland consciously chooses to continue supporting early-stage innovation. This way, the region keeps building solutions for major societal challenges, such as better healthcare, cleaner energy, and smart technological applications.

In the year that the startup fund UNIIQ celebrates its tenth anniversary and announces its 100th investment, the fund receives a new financial boost. The South Holland region makes this investment possible. The province of South Holland contributes €3.5 million of the total €5 million in regional financing. The Ministry of Economic Affairs matches this amount, making a total of €10 million available for early-stage financing via UNIIQ.

Various governments within South Holland join forces in the Startup/Scaleup Program, aiming to increase the number of successful startups and scaleups in South Holland and sustainably strengthen innovative business activity. In this context, a Startup and Scale-Up taskforce and program have also been set up in the region to jointly program this. This investment and policy go hand in hand.

Strong together for innovative entrepreneurs

The strengthening of UNIIQ is the result of close cooperation between the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the province of South Holland, the municipality of The Hague, and the municipality of Leiden. By working together, these partners ensure that innovative companies in their most vulnerable development phase receive the support needed to grow.

The province played a connecting and coordinating role and took the lead in organizing this regional effort.

10 years of UNIIQ: from idea to impact

UNIIQ is the proof-of-concept fund of InnovationQuarter, the regional development agency for South Holland. The fund focuses on startups in the early phase: entrepreneurs with a strong idea who are still at the beginning of their development.

In 10 years, UNIIQ has grown into the specialist in early-stage financing in South Holland and the Netherlands. The fund has now invested in more than 100 startups working on complex, research-driven innovations, often originating from knowledge institutions and active in sectors such as life sciences, deep tech, and high-tech industry.

The results show how important this early phase is. Every euro UNIIQ invests now leads to more than €13 in follow-up investments. Together, UNIIQ companies have raised more than €328 million in follow-up financing and created over 1,500 jobs.

100th investment: BachteraVax

During the anniversary year, UNIIQ announces its 100th investment: a participation in BachteraVax. This biotech startup develops an innovative vaccine concept for the treatment of colon cancer, a disease with major societal impact.

BachteraVax is in an early development phase, exactly the moment when UNIIQ makes a difference with financing, guidance, and access to a strong network. The investment underscores what the fund has stood for for 10 years: helping research-driven innovations grow into solutions with societal and economic value.

More than just money

UNIIQ supports startups not only with financing but also with intensive guidance. Founders receive help sharpening their proposition, building their team, and preparing for follow-up investments. This way, young companies are gradually prepared for the market. Companies that previously grew with UNIIQ support include medtech company VarmX, maritime innovator Smart-Ship, and quantum chip developer QuantWare.

Investing in today and tomorrow

With the additional investment of €10 million and the milestones of 10 years of UNIIQ and the 100th investment, the regional partners show that they continue to structurally build a strong innovation ecosystem.

“After 10 years, UNIIQ shows how important it is to build the foundation of strong companies. By investing in high-quality startups, the fund consciously takes risks but at the same time strengthens the future earning capacity of South Holland,” says Meindert Stolk, deputy for Economy of the province of South Holland.

Thus, the South Holland region is step by step building a strong, innovative, and future-proof economy, for entrepreneurs and all residents.