Exploratory investment fund for medtech startups in Leiden region launched

December 22, 2022

Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship PLNT Leiden, Leiden BioScience Park, the LEH and the Life Science incubator unlock_ are exploring the need for an incubation program for medtech startups in the Leiden region. To this end, they have signed a letter of intent with accelerator imec.start.nl.


In the coming months, the parties will investigate the feasibility of an incubation/acceleration program for startups in the fields of medtech, medical devices and e-health. At the same time, it is also looking at ways in which the istart.nl Seed Fund can invest in Leiden startups.

Program and fund prepare startups for further growth and investment

Knowledge institution incubators produce hundreds of new startups every year, which are of great value and impact to our economy and society. However, some of these startups do not survive, despite a promising startup phase. They struggle to raise investment in the early stages of technological invention. The Leiden parties hope that through this (international) collaboration with imec.istart these startups can be helped to get through this initial phase and grow further.

Strategic cooperation

PLNT, Leiden Bio Science Park Foundation, the LEH and unlock_ are seeking strategic collaboration with imec and imec.istart. Imec, a Belgian Research & Development hub, has existed for more than 35 years and is known worldwide for innovations in nano and digital technology. Earlier this year, the company signed an agreement with Radboud University, Radboud UMC and University of Twente for imec.start: a new acceleration program in which tech startups can get pre-seed funding and coaching. Over the next few months, the Leiden parties, together with imec, are further developing the plans to launch during 2023.

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