Apply now for the Venture Challenge Spring 2025
As of January 1, 2025, entrepreneurial researchers within the Life Sciences & Health sector can apply for the spring 2025 edition of the Venture Challenge. For ten weeks, start-ups will be supported in developing their business plan and setting up a start-up. This round, six teams will be granted funding to start the Venture Challenge.
Goal and background
Many scientific inventions never make it to commercialization because researchers often lack the experience and knowledge to market their product attractively. As a result, it is usually too early for private investors and experienced entrepreneurs to step in at the start-up stage: business cases are not clear enough for them yet. The Venture Challenge helps enterprising Life Science researchers in this respect, by developing a well-thought-out business case together with participants. This provides insight into what is needed to take their innovations to market.
Life Science start-ups in the making
The Venture Challenge is aimed at teams of three or four people who have founded or have the intention to launch a new start-up in the field of Life Sciences & Health. The product or service is based on a new technological invention or a new application of existing technology and stems from scientific research. The program consists of two three-day workshops and regular coaching sessions. During these sessions, participants work under the guidance of experienced coaches to set up or sharpen their business case.
Spring round 2025
This round, Venture Challenge allows six teams to start. The entire course lasts 10 weeks and will take place from early May to the end of June, 2025. At the end of the process, the participating teams will pitch their plans to a jury of experienced entrepreneurs and a prize of 25,000 will be available for the best team.
Application and deadlines
As of January 1, teams can register for one of the six available places. The deadline for application is February 4, 2025, 2:00 PM CET. In April, NWO will announce which start-ups have been selected for this spring round of Venture Challenge. For more information about the call and the procedure, see the brochure.
Date: January 13, 2025
Source: NWO
