Dear Founder,

We are excited to announce that the applications for the 4th edition of the Academic Startup Competition are open!

The Academic Startup Competition (ASC) is a joint initiative of Techleap, UNL, NFU, NAE, UTwente, VU and EZK. The competition offers a curated batch of 20 selected academic startups the chance to showcase themselves to an audience of (international) investors and businesses. The startups that are in the race to become one of the best Academic Startups will participate in a unique program of workshops, promotion track and peer to peer learning to help the founders to accelerate the growth and scalability of their business. They will be introduced to the innovation ecosystem, and will be offered the opportunity to develop a network of peers, experts, and mentors.

For whom?

Within the Academic Startup Competition we are mainly interested in startups with solutions falling in one of the following eight broad impact domains:

• Health & Wellbeing
• Agriculture, Food & Water
• Energy transition
• Sustainability transition (Clean/Carbon/Green/Circular/Climate)
• Secure Society (Cyber & Physical)
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusive Society
• Smart Industry (4.0) : more efficient, flexible, and sustainable industrial systems and value chains
• Smart Urbanisation / Cities

Eligibility criteria

Your company should:

• Be addressing an industrial, societal or environmental unmet need or creating a new market within the 8 defined technology domains.
• Be based on a new technology, a scientific discovery, a complex engineering process or a new disruptive systemic process.
• Not have won the Academic Startup Competition Award in previous editions.
• Have a registration at the C.o.C. (K.v.K.) that is between 0-3 years.
• Be composed of a team of at least 2.
• Be a registered commercial or impact startup originated from scientific knowledge connected to Dutch Universities, University Medical Centers or Research Institutes.
• Not be a subsidiary or spin-off of an existing company.

What does Academic Startup Competition imply?

For the 20 winners of the competition a support package is available in the first six months of 2024 focusing on the following challenges:  

1. Mindset Transition (Shifting from thinking like a scientist to thinking like an entrepreneur)
2. Dare to think BIG
3. Build your team (Who do you need to reach your goals)

To support the journey of overcoming these three challenges, winners will be offered additional services connected to each challenge:

• 1-to-1 deep dives with entrepreneurs and experts to identify and sharpen their goals.
• Peer knowledge-sharing by investors, experienced founders and experts.
• Sessions with relevant stakeholders who are in power to change systems to help them grow faster.
• Media coverage and exposure through various channels and events.
• Joining various (inter) national networking trips and events.
• Team assessment for the founders by a specialized agency.
• Executive recruitment support .
• Access to Global Campus to find the best scientific experts for their scientific board.

Join the competition!

Ready to take the plunge and catalyze the expansion and scalability of your venture? Then we invite you to join our competition. Make sure you apply here before 10 November 2023.

We are looking forward to receiving your application! If you have any questions about the programme or candidate requirements? Feel free to contact ruben@techleap.nl for more information or book an info session.

Warm regards,

Arjan Goudsblom, Ruben Habraken & Natasja Marchese

www.academicstartupcompetition.nl

A very warm welcome to new portfolio company Phlox Therapeutics, a private biotechnology company specializing in developing innovative RNA-therapeutics for rare genetic cardiomyopathies.

Below the press relaese;

• Phlox Therapeutics raises additional seed funding to develop RNA therapies for genetic laminopathies
• Funds will advance the company’s lead program into preclinical development

08 May 2023, Naarden, The Netherlands –

Phlox Therapeutics (“Phlox”), a private biotechnology company specializing in developing innovative RNA-therapeutics for rare genetic cardiomyopathies, has secured additional seed funding to advance Phlox’s lead program aimed at rare genetic laminopathies. In this funding round Innovation Fund Noord Holland (INH), AMC Ventures Holding, and Utrecht Health Seed Fund (UHSF) have joined forces with existing investor FIRST, managed by BioGeneration Ventures (BGV), to support Phlox’s efforts. Phlox will use the funds raised in the seed financing round to advance the company’s lead program into preclinical development. This round will also enable Phlox to continue to build its team and expand its platform technology.

The company’s platform technology enables simultaneous targeting of multiple lamin mutations. The versatile nature of these RNA-designs eliminates the need for generating mutation-specific compounds to treat each distinct mutation, rendering these compounds suitable for most lamin mutations. Phlox is committed to utilizing this proprietary platform technology to develop RNA-therapies that can effectively treat genetic diseases resulting from mutations in a single gene. This includes addressing laminopathies, a specific and frequently severe form of heart failure caused by structural protein defects in the cardiac cell nucleus due to mutations in the lamin gene.

Commenting on the seed financing round, Phlox’ CMO and cardiologist Yigal Pinto said, “We are thrilled to have the support of this group of investors as we work towards developing life-changing RNA-therapies for many of my patients who struggle with a cardiomyopathy for which there are no disease modifying therapies. This funding will enable us to accelerate our efforts to bring these therapies to the clinic and help improve the lives of our patients that are suffering from this destructive disease.”

Wouter Keij, Fund Manager of Innovation Fund Noord-Holland commented on behalf of all four investors “We are excited to work with the Phlox team and to support such an impactful innovation to pave a way for more RNA-based therapies to come. We are proud to be backing Phlox in their effort to bring these potentially life-changing therapies to those in need for treatments for cardiac diseases.”

Contact
Margien Boels
Director of Operations
M: +316 4842 5428
E: margien.boels@phloxtherapeutics.com

About Phlox Therapeutics
Phlox Therapeutics is a biotechnology company that develops first-in-class RNA therapies for cardiomyopathies. Phlox’s lead program focuses on laminopathies, a rare inherited cardiomyopathy that can cause a plethora of symptoms affecting the heart as well as skeletal muscles. Next to its program in laminopathies, Phlox Therapeutics is aiming to leverage similar RNA-based strategies to target other cardiomyopathies. As such, Phlox Therapeutics strives to develop multiple gene therapies that are able to reduce the negative effects caused by genetic mutations. Learn more at www.phloxtherapeutics.com.

About Innovation Fund Noord Holland
Innovatiefonds Noord-Holland (“INH”) is an initiative of the Province of North Holland, the University of Amsterdam, the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Amsterdam UMC and Sanquin, with support from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency & the European Union through the European Regional Development FundINH supports entrepreneurs within various sectors in the Province of North Holland by financing innovations in the Proof-of-Concept phase through providing convertible loans.
For more information, please visit: www.innovatiefondsnoordholland.nl.

About AMC Ventures Holding
AMC Ventures Holding is an early-stage investor in academic spin-off companies from the Academic Medical Center (AMC). AMC Ventures Holding works closely with academics and entrepreneurs at the earliest stage of company formation to support the commercialization of knowledge. For more information please visit: www.amcventuresholding.nl.

About Utrecht Health Seed Fund
Utrecht Health Seed Fund (UHSF) is an early-stage life sciences & health investment fund based out of Utrecht, The Netherlands, focused on scalable technologies in the field of Life Sciences (therapeutics and diagnostics), Medical Devices, Digital Health, and Animal Health, in the earliest stages of development. UHSF is established by Utrecht Holdings with the assistance and support of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), UMC Utrecht, and the University of Utrecht. For more information, please visit www.uhsf.nl.

About Fonds InvesteringsRijpe Starters FIRST
Fonds InvesteringsRijpe STarters (FIRST) is a pre-seed fund that finances pioneering scientists in The Netherlands active in the emerging fields of regenerative medicine and cardiovascular diseases. FIRST is founded by the Dutch CardioVascular Alliance (DCVA) and Regenerative Medicine Crossing Borders (RegMed XB) with support of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency. Naarden based BioGeneration Ventures (BGV) supports the FIRST fund as a registered fund manager, making available its network, expertise, and facilities. For more information, please visit: www.biogenerationventures.com/en/about_us/first.

Bringing new innovations to the market; that is the challenge that we, together with researchers from Utrecht University and UMC Utrecht, face every day at Utrecht Holdings. The goal of our team of 15 expert and enthusiastic employees, is to maximize the impact of academic research on people, society and the (local) economy.

Would you like to work in a dynamic environment, where you have to apply your knowledge, experience and interpersonal skills to achieve these goals? Then we are looking for you!

Company Overview

Utrecht Holdings is the knowledge transfer office and investment company of Utrecht University and UMC Utrecht. Both organizations have the following key tasks: education, research, patient care and knowledge valorization. Utrecht Holdings supports this last task by commercializing academic research results and bringing them closer to everyday society.

We support scientists with patenting their inventions and licensing to commercial parties. Our focus is on Life Sciences, Digital Innovations and Sustainability. We regularly spinoff companies originating from both knowledge institutions. Finally, we invest in promising startups with the goal to support them through early stage development. One of our funds is the Utrecht Health Seed Fund, a € 5.4 M fund, dedicated to investing in early stage startups, innovating in the field of Life Sciences & Health.

For more information, please visit: https://www.utrechtholdings.nl/ and https://www.uhsf.nl/

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated and analytical Investment Analyst to join our team. The Analyst will play a critical role in supporting our business development & investment team in evaluating and executing investment opportunities. The successful candidate for this role will have an understanding of (especially) the Life Sciences & Health industry, strong analytical skills and a self-starting attitude. They will be able to analyze market and company information, as well as our investment and business processes and identify potential areas of improvement. They will also be able to work independently while collaborating effectively with our finance-, IP- and legal officers.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct in-depth research on market trends, technologies and competitive landscape in the Life Sciences & Health Industry;
• Identify and evaluate potential investment opportunities, including performing due diligence on potential portfolio companies;
• Build financial models and perform valuation analysis to support investment decisions;
• Prepare investment memos and other materials for internal and external stakeholders;
• Monitor and analyze portfolio company performance and market developments;
• Work with portfolio companies to provide strategic and operational support, leveraging our network and resources to help them achieve their goals; and
• Provide management with relevant and concise information and analyses.

Requirements:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field such as Life Sciences or other exact science;
• 1-3 years of experience in the pharma/biotech industry, investment banking, consulting, or a related field;
• Strong understanding of the key players, market trends and regulatory landscape in the Life Sciences & Health industry;
• Excellent analytical, quantitative, and problem-solving skills;
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to effectively communicate complex ideas to diverse audiences;
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment;
• Self-starting attitude, team spirit.

We Offer:

• A professional learning- and work environment, a great and diverse team of colleagues and an excellent salary and benefits conform the collective labor agreement of the UMCU; and
• An inspiring role that generates impact and the chance to shape the world of tomorrow, collaborating with top-level scientists and entrepreneurs.

Additional information and hiring process

For more information about this role, feel free to contact Timo Koopmans (investmentmanager) timo.koopmans@utrechtholdings.nl or Gertine van der Vliet, director Utrecht Holdings, via email: gertine.vandervliet@utrechtholdings.nl; or by phone: 085 0876369.

We would like to receive your CV and motivation letter by 12 May, via email, to: secretariaat@utrechtholdings.nl. Selection interviews are scheduled for 16 and 17 May.

Please do not contact us with unsolicited services or offers.

June 24, 2022 – Utrecht, the Netherlands

Cresco Spine, a new player in the spinal arena and a spin-off of the University Medical Center Utrecht (the Netherlands), today announced that it raised seed investments from InSpine and Utrecht Health Seed Fund (UHSF) to continue its development of their unique surgical spinal correction platform “Dynamic Implant Solutions^TM” (DIS^TM), initially focused on early onset scoliosis.

Early onset scoliosis is a severe and life-threatening condition in a vulnerable, young patient group. These patients are severely affected by this condition that may lead to deficient cardio-pulmonary development. Treatment is associated with high complication rates and usually requires multiple surgeries throughout the early years of life. Moreover, multiple hospital visits for monitoring are required, which further increases the disease burden and healthcare costs.

Within its “Dynamic Implant Solutions^TM“ platform, Cresco Spine is finalizing the Spring Distraction System (SDS^TM) for market introduction. The SDS^TM is a unique, spring based dynamic distraction system that works with standard of care posterior pedicle screw fixation. The system has the potential to guide the growth three-dimensionally without the need for invasive lengthening interventions. This will improve outcomes, whilst minimizing re-operations and surgical and anesthetic burden in this vulnerable patient group. Several follow-on opportunities for Cresco Spine’s technology have been identified and will be next in line within the DIS^TM platform.

Prof. Dr. René Castelein, orthopedic surgeon and Cresco Spine’s Chief Medical Officer said: “This novel ‘growth friendly’ solution has already proven its potential in several prospective clinical studies, the system even outperforms existing therapies, with respect to outcomes and disease burden for patients. Based on conversations with orthopedic surgeons worldwide, the strong need for better treatment options is clear, and I look forward to working with clinicians globally to raise the bar in this very challenging field.”

Michiel Schwartz, CEO of InSpine comments: “We always strive to provide improvement for spinal patients, which is reflected our portfolio and even more in our former and latest product developments. We see a tremendous need in this particular area of spinal care combined with a strong potential for innovation. This investment will enable us to realize next steps in development and work towards regulatory approval.”

Jaap de Bruin, Fund Manager of UHSF commented: “We are very pleased to support Cresco Spine, and strongly believe in its mission and potential. Cresco Spine’s approach to scoliosis therapy is to improve quality of life and outcomes, whilst reducing overall healthcare system burden and costs, i.e., an excellent fit with our investment objectives.”

Background statements

About Cresco Spine

Cresco Spine is a medical technology company developing surgical spinal therapies focusing on improving scoliosis care. Cresco Spine was founded in 2021 as a spin-out from the University Medical Center in Utrecht, the Netherlands.

For more information, please visit https://www.cresco-spine.com

About InSpine

InSpine is a Dutch medical company that is strongly committed to improve (complex) spinal surgery. Therefore, InSpine has its focus on distributing the right products and technologies with associated services and supporting groundbreaking spinal innovations.

For more information, please visit www.inspine.nl

About Utrecht Health Seed Fund

Utrecht Health Seed Fund (UHSF) is an early-stage life sciences & health investment fund based out of Utrecht, The Netherlands, focused on scalable technologies in the field of Life Sciences (therapeutics and diagnostics), Medical Devices, Digital Health, and Animal Health in the earliest stages of development.

UHSF is established by Utrecht Holdings with the assistance and support of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), UMC Utrecht, and the University of Utrecht.

For more information, please visit www.uhsf.nl.

 Contact information

Dennis Magermans, CEO Cresco Spine, dennis@cresco-spine.com