Rotterdam Square launches NL USA Health Accelerator in collaboration with Cedars-Sinai Accelerator+ and Erasmus MC
Rotterdam, Netherlands
Rotterdam Square is pleased to announce the launch of the NL USA Health Accelerator, a new international initiative developed in collaboration with Cedars-Sinai Accelerator+ and Erasmus MC, to be unveiled at the leading healthcare innovation event, HLTH Europe.
The NL USA Health Accelerator is designed to help high-potential Dutch health, MedTech, biotech, and digital health companies accelerate their entry into the U.S. healthcare market. The program combines the clinical and research expertise of Erasmus MC with the innovation, commercialization, and market access capabilities of Cedars-Sinai Accelerator+, the pre-seed to seed startup accelerator and innovation platform of Cedars-Sinai, one of the leading academic healthcare organizations in the United States.
Building on the successful collaboration between ScaleNL and Cedars-Sinai over the past four years, which has supported numerous Dutch health, MedTech, and biotech startups and scale-ups in establishing a presence in the United States, Erasmus MC will now work directly with Cedars-Sinai Accelerator+ to deliver a six-week program for high-potential Dutch companies.
The program will culminate in an immersive week at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, providing participants with direct access to leading healthcare innovators, clinicians, researchers, operational leaders, and U.S. healthcare market experts. Cedars-Sinai has demonstrated a strong commitment to the Dutch innovation ecosystem by establishing Coronet Ventures NL, a dedicated investment initiative focused exclusively on Dutch startups.
About Cedars-Sinai
Cedars-Sinai is a leading academic healthcare organization recognized internationally for excellence in patient care, biomedical research, innovation, and medical education. The institution supports more than 2,100 active research studies and invests over $350 million annually in research and innovation. Cedars-Sinai is ranked the #1 hospital in California and is consistently ranked among the nation’s leading hospitals, and is widely recognized for advancing breakthroughs that improve patient outcomes worldwide.
“Cedars-Sinai Accelerator+ is committed to helping promising healthcare companies understand and navigate the U.S. healthcare market. Through the NL USA Health Accelerator, we look forward to working with Erasmus MC and Rotterdam Square to support Dutch startups as they refine their solutions, engage with clinical and operational leaders, and explore opportunities to address important healthcare challenges in the United States and beyond.”
Nirdesh K. Gupta, PhD, Managing Partner, Cedars-Sinai Technology Ventures
About Erasmus MC
Erasmus MC is internationally recognized for pioneering clinical medicine, complex patient care, and world-class medical research. As the largest University Medical Center in the Netherlands, Erasmus MC is home to 57 accredited centers of expertise dedicated to rare diseases—the highest number in the country. According to the Times Higher Education rankings, Erasmus MC is ranked #1 in Clinical Medicine among European institutions.
“For Erasmus MC, international collaboration is essential to accelerate healthcare innovation and bring it to patients. By joining forces with Cedars-Sinai and Rotterdam Square, we strengthen the connection between clinical expertise, research, and entrepreneurship. This directly supports our ambition to further develop the Rotterdam HealthTech campus into a globally leading hub for HealthTech innovation, enabling patients to benefit more quickly from new insights, technologies, and treatment approaches.”
Dirk Schraven, Member of the Executive Board, Erasmus MC
Collaboration partners behind the NL USA Health Accelerator Program.
From left to right: Michael Dooijes, Dr. Raj Khandwalla, Dr. Dermot McGovern, Prof. Dr. Stefan Sleijfer, Jim Laur, Ellen Smit, Dirk Schraven, Dr. Nirdesh K. Gupta, Koen van Breugel, Kevin Winston
Applications Now Open
Applications for the NL USA Health Accelerator will be accepted from June 15 through August 28.
The program is open to Dutch startups and scale-ups that have moved beyond concept development and have a functional prototype, MVP, or validated proof-of-concept and a clear ambition to expand into the United States.
Priority areas include:
- Precision Medicine
- Cell & Gene Therapy
- Biotechnology
- Value-Based Diagnostics
- Imaging & Guided Surgery
- MedTech and Medical Devices
- Digital Health
- Clinical Decision Support
- Solutions that Improve Patient Outcomes
Apply Now
For more information about the program, eligibility requirements, and the application process, visit: rotterdamsquare.nl/nl-usa-health-accelerator
Media Contact
Elizabeth Kleinveld
Program Manager
NL USA Health Accelerator
elizabeth.kleinveld@rotterdamsquare.nl
Date: June 15, 2026
