NWO is expected to launch the fall round of the Venture Challenge program in May 2025. The Ministry of Economic Affairs has increased the budget for this fall round. This increase is intended to allow 6 additional teams to participate, focusing specifically on innovations in the field of MedTech. In total, 12 teams can participate in this round, increasing the opportunities for more aspiring entrepreneurs.
Purpose of the Call
The government aims to use the innovation power of the top sectors to tackle major societal challenges through its mission-driven innovation policy. This also aims to strengthen the competitive position of the Netherlands. This can be achieved, among other things, by using scientific research to address societal issues. However, many scientific discoveries do not reach the market because researchers often lack the knowledge and experience to make their product market-ready or to set up a commercial organization.
The Venture Challenge program offers a solution. In the eight to ten-week coaching trajectory, researchers work together with professionals, such as business coaches and experts, on a well-thought-out business case. This way, researchers are prepared for a successful start of their company.
For Whom
The Venture Challenge targets teams of three or four people who have established or plan to establish a new start-up in the field of Life Sciences & Health and MedTech. The product, process, or service must fall under medical devices or other innovations within these broad domains.
Budget
The Ministry of Economic Affairs has set the subsidy ceiling for this round at €200,000. In this program, the subsidy covers the costs of participation minus the personal contribution. The personal contribution per team is:
- €2000 for participation of 3 team members
- €2500 for participation of 4 team members
Deadlines
The deadline for submitting applications is July 1, 2025, at 14:00:00 CET.
Previous Rounds
“At Sniper Therapeutics, we want to help cancer patients survive the impossible. Winning the Venture Challenge has brought us a step closer to this goal and will help us develop best-in-class engineered T-cell therapies.”
- Amber Wezenaar, co-founder of Sniper Therapeutics, winner of the fall round Venture Challenge 2024
“The Venture Challenge gave a kickstart to our ambitions to start a business. We are now ready to revolutionize the lives of more than half a million new kidney patients per year.”
- Michiel Stevens, founder of FETCH, winner of the spring round Venture Challenge 2024
Disclaimer
This is solely an announcement of a proposed research program by NWO. The possibility to apply for funding will be open after the publication of a call for proposals in the Government Gazette.