Frequently asked

questions

1. Why Amsterdam UMC Ventures Holding BV?

Amsterdam UMC Ventures Holding BV, established in 1995, is a 100% subsidiary of the Amsterdam University Medical Centers (Amsterdam UMC). It facilitates top researchers from the Amsterdam UMC in their attempts to set up companies based on their scientific findings in the area of medical Research & Development or production arising from this. At the same time, with its activities, Amsterdam UMC Ventures Holding B.V. implements the Amsterdam UMC’s valorisation policy, which is promoting the use of scientific knowledge for the benefit of patients, for the development of e.g. a new medicine, medical device or diagnostic method.

2. Why start a startup company at the Amsterdam UMC?

Valorisation is the fourth mission of the Amsterdam UMC. This concerns activities that add value to the scientific knowledge beyond the academic domain. For researchers, seeing a product based on their invention enter the market and benefit patients is very rewarding. One of the routes from research results to a product is via development in a startup company. This route is taken when established companies are not interested enough yet to license the technology (due to it still being at an early stage), the Amsterdam UMC (IXA) believes in the potential of the technology, the technology is within the core interests of the Amsterdam UMC, and the researchers are enthusiastic about setting up a startup company.
To support the growth of startups that utilize university IP or know how and to separate public funding and private revenue streams, Amsterdam UMC took the initiative to set up Amsterdam UMC Ventures Holding BV.

3. What can Amsterdam UMC Ventures Holding do for you?

Scientists / Doctors
Amsterdam UMC Ventures teams up with the inventor(s) when it comes to commercialising the findings and provides feedback on the business model, together with the Technology Transfer Office of the Amsterdam UMC, IXA. On founding a startup, Amsterdam UMC Ventures establishes the legal, financial and governance structures of the company, for example drafting the shareholders agreement, statutes and setting up the financial administration. The extent of support depends on the extent of participation of Amsterdam UMC Ventures in the startup, which can vary over time. Amsterdam UMC Ventures also has an active role in finding new team members, esp. those with business development, financial modelling and marketing skill sets.

Entrepreneurs
Amsterdam UMC Ventures is always on lookout for entrepreneurs for its portfolio companies. Please contact Ross Gordon for more information. Are you interested in technologies or research domains at the Amsterdam UMC? Please contact IXA.

Investors
Are you interested in Amsterdam UMC Ventures’ portfolio companies? Please contact Ross Gordon.

Students
Students interested in working at a startup can contact the UvA Ventures portfolio company StudiJob

4. What are the portfolio companies of Amsterdam UMC Ventures Holding?

The Amterdam UMC Ventures portfolio companies are as diverse as the disciplines at the Amsterdam UMC. An overview of all Amsterdam UMC Ventures can be found in the combined portfolio of Amsterdam UMC Ventures Holding, UvA Ventures Holding and HvA Ventures Holding. They form part of the ‘New Ventures’ category.

5. How does founding an Amsterdam UMC startup work?

The beginning
A scientist with an invention should first contact IXA Office Amsterdam UMC. IXA is Amsterdam UMC’s department responsible for commercialising scientific knowledge. IXA (through its business developers and patent attorney) a.o. advises on the most suitable valorisation route, takes care of patent filing, negotiates licensing and research collaboration contracts with external and startup companies, and provides proof-of-concept funding in collaboration with Amsterdam UMC Ventures.

From founding onwards
After the startup is founded, Amsterdam UMC Ventures guides the startup through establishing a legal, financial and governance structure as already eluded on in section 3. In addition Amsterdam UMC Ventures also supports funding, launching customer, prototyping etc.

6. Initiatives related to Amsterdam UMC Ventures that support its portfolio companies

Amsterdam UMC Ventures can further support startups through the UvA Ventures portfolio companies ACE Incubator and StudiJob.

ACE Incubator offers startup founders programs to learn the vital skills to start their own company. To provide affordable office space to startups, UvA Ventures enabled the development of Startup Village. UvA Ventures also sponsors the Sharktank at Startup Village, an event space for startups to pitch to potential investors.
Portfolio company StudiJob takes care of recruitment, selection and payroll with a reduced price for startups.

7. What kind of research leads to a startup?

AMC Ventures offers support to all  AMC employees (incl. PhD students and postdocs). While all our portfolio companies have been listed on our website, here are few examples of our companies which illustrates the diversity of our portfolio:

SigmaScreening BV is an AMC startup company that focuses on the development of new, patient-friendly equipment for breast cancer screening (mammography). To get the best image quality with the least amount of radiation, the breast needs to be compressed. Sigmascreening has developed a patented technology for a highly reproducible procedure without unnecessary discomfort.

Arthrogen BV was founded in 2005 as a joint venture between the Dubai Bone & Joint Center (DBAJ) in the United Arab Emirates and the AMC in Amsterdam. This biopharmaceutical company develops local gene therapy for inflammatory diseases, using viral mediated gene transfer. The first target indication is in the field of rheumatic diseases. Arthrogen’s aim is to develop gene therapies to deliver new alternatives to patients while decreasing healthcare costs.

Forensic Technical Solutions BV is an AMC startup that specializes in the development of spectral imaging techniques for use at the crime scene. Their most recent technological breakthrough innovation is able to detect and identify blood at the scene, to determine the age of a bloodstain in a non-destructive and contact free way.

8. How long does it take to establish a Amsterdam UMC based startup?

While it is fairly straightforward to incorporate a company, negotiating a licence agreement on the IP, working on the business case and possible third party discussions (joint venture) do take significant effort and time. Whether you’re actively seeking investment money or are just considering the formation of a Amsterdam UMC startup, contact us for an early discussion about your idea and the potential timelines until a formal launch.

9. What kind of financing are available for startups?

See our section on Funds.

10. Does Amsterdam UMC Ventures Holding invest in startups?

Amsterdam UMC Ventures facilitates the growth and expansion of Amsterdam UMC startups that have an active association with the Amsterdam UMC such as having an IP licencing agreement, involvement of Amsterdam UMC researchers etc. In such cases startups might be eligible for the financial instruments of the university, the Amsterdam UMC or Amsterdam UMC Ventures. Prior to making any financial commitments, Amsterdam UMC Ventures follows an internal due diligence process to evaluate the business case and investment needs.