Academic Startup Competition
Dutch universities produce world-class science.
ASC gets it out of the lab and into the hands of founders who can scale it.
Dutch universities produce world-class science.
ASC gets it out of the lab and into the hands of founders
who can scale it.
Dutch universities produce world-class science. ASC gets it out of the lab and into the hands of founders who can scale it.
150+
Academic startups
€1B+
Raised by ASC ventures
36%
Top-10 raising
€1M+ in 42 months
Top-10 raising
€1M+ in 42 months
150+
Academic startups
€1B+
Raised by ASC ventures
36%
Top-10 raising
€1M+ in 42 months
what is it
what is it
what is it
Great research doesn’t automatically become a great company. Academic founders have the science, not always the cap table structure, the team, or the market instincts to turn it into one - and without a dedicated path, promising spin-outs stall right after founding, before they ever reach programmes like Pole Position. ASC exists to close that gap, nationally, since 2019.
Great research doesn’t automatically become a great company. Academic founders have the science, not always the cap table structure, the team, or the market instincts to turn it into one - and without a dedicated path, promising spin-outs stall right after founding, before they ever reach programmes like Pole Position. ASC exists to close that gap, nationally, since 2019.
Great research doesn’t automatically become a great company. Academic founders have the science, not always the cap table structure, the team, or the market instincts to turn it into one - and without a dedicated path, promising spin-outs stall right after founding, before they ever reach programmes like Pole Position. ASC exists to close that gap, nationally, since 2019..
How it runs
How it runs
Universities, UMCs, and research institutions nominate their top science-based ventures
Three elimination rounds over five months, each solving a real founder problem: exiting university IP with a healthy cap table, building a balanced team, and shifting from technology-push to market-pull
Coaching, pitch training, and expert sessions throughout
Ten winners named at a national final in front of government, investors, and industry
Winners travel abroad - recent editions partnered with ScaleNL for a US programme to Seattle, San Diego, and Silicon Valley
Universities, UMCs, and research institutions nominate their top science-based ventures
Three elimination rounds over five months, each solving a real founder problem: exiting university IP with a healthy cap table, building a balanced team, and shifting from technology-push to market-pull
Coaching, pitch training, and expert sessions throughout
Ten winners named at a national final in front of government, investors, and industry
Winners travel abroad - recent editions partnered with ScaleNL for a US programme to Seattle, San Diego, and Silicon Valley
Universities, UMCs, and research institutions nominate their top science-based ventures
Three elimination rounds over five months, each solving a real founder problem: exiting university IP with a healthy cap table, building a balanced team, and shifting from technology-push to market-pull
Coaching, pitch training, and expert sessions throughout
Ten winners named at a national final in front of government, investors, and industry
Winners travel abroad - recent editions partnered with ScaleNL for a US programme to Seattle, San Diego, and Silicon Valley
Track record
Track record
Running since 2019, ASC has helped more than 150 academic startups get their start, backed by Techleap, the Universities of the Netherlands, the Dutch Federation of University Medical Centres, the Netherlands Academy of Engineering, and the Ministry of Economic Affairs. ASC ventures have gone on to raise over €1B in funding, and Top-10 companies significantly outperform other academic ventures - 36% raise €1M or more within 42 months, against 13% for others. Alumni include Mosa Meat, Target Biopharmaceuticals, Carbyon, and VSParticle.
Running since 2019, ASC has helped more than 150 academic startups get their start, backed by Techleap, the Universities of the Netherlands, the Dutch Federation of University Medical Centres, the Netherlands Academy of Engineering, and the Ministry of Economic Affairs. ASC ventures have gone on to raise over €1B in funding, and Top-10 companies significantly outperform other academic ventures - 36% raise €1M or more within 42 months, against 13% for others. Alumni include Mosa Meat, Target Biopharmaceuticals, Carbyon, and VSParticle.
who is it for
who is it for
who is it for
ASC is for the Netherlands’ most promising academic ventures. If this sounds like you, here’s what we’re looking for.
ASC is for the Netherlands’ most promising academic ventures.
If this sounds like you, here’s what we’re looking for.
ASC is for the Netherlands’ most promising academic ventures. If this sounds like you, here’s what we’re looking for.
Startups founded out of any Dutch university, UMC, or research institute
Startups founded out of any Dutch university, UMC, or research institute
Founders from any sector, not just deep tech
Founders from any sector, not just deep tech
Early-stage, academic-rooted ventures, whatever the field.
Early-stage, academic-rooted ventures, whatever the field.
Early-stage, academic-rooted ventures, whatever the field.
THE PROGRAMME
THE PROGRAMME
THE PROGRAMME
01
Nomination & Recruitment
Universities and institutions nominate candidates, narrowed to 30 teams.
01
Nomination & Recruitment
Universities and institutions nominate candidates, narrowed to 30 teams.
01
Nomination & Recruitment
Universities and institutions nominate candidates, narrowed to 30 teams.
02
Kick-Off
All 30 teams and partners come together to begin.
02
Kick-Off
All 30 teams and partners come together to begin.
02
Kick-Off
All 30 teams and partners come together to begin.
03
Round 1: IP as Core Asset
Protect your scientific finding as a real asset
03
Round 1: IP as Core Asset
Protect your scientific finding as a real asset
03
Round 1: IP as Core Asset
Protect your scientific finding as a real asset
04
Round 2: Team Power
Strengthen your team and credentials.
04
Round 2: Team Power
Strengthen your team and credentials.
04
Round 2: Team Power
Strengthen your team and credentials.
05
Round 3: Path to Market
Shift from technology-push to market-pull.
05
Round 3: Path to Market
Shift from technology-push to market-pull.
05
Round 3: Path to Market
Shift from technology-push to market-pull.
06
Pitch Training & Selection Day
Refine your pitch, then present to the jury.
06
Pitch Training & Selection Day
Refine your pitch, then present to the jury.
06
Pitch Training & Selection Day
Refine your pitch, then present to the jury.
07
USA Trip
Top 10 teams join ScaleNL in US visit.
07
USA Trip
Top 10 teams join ScaleNL in US visit.
07
USA Trip
Top 10 teams join ScaleNL in US visit.
08
Closing Event
A celebration across the ecosystem.
08
Closing Event
A celebration across the ecosystem.
08
Closing Event
A celebration across the ecosystem.
Express your interest or
get in touch
Express your interest or
get in touch
Express your interest or
get in touch
Express your interest
or get in touch
Interested in nominating a venture, or just have a question? Let us know.
Interested in nominating a venture, or just have a question? Let us know.