About us

LifeSciences@Work (LS@W) is part of Health~Holland, the Top Sector Life Sciences & Health. The Dutch government aims to stimulate innovation within this sector, and Health~Holland enforces this policy.

LS@W is a dedicated support program for entrepreneurial researchers and early-stage entrepreneurs in life sciences, covering Drug Development, Medtech, Diagnostics, and Enabling Technologies. Our goal is to help transform groundbreaking ideas from the lab into successful market-ready products through structured coaching, education, financing, and networking.

Originally established in 2008, LS@W provides a coherent set of support activities, including:

  • Venture Challenge – A competitive program to accelerate business development.
  • Expert Classes – Tailored workshops to refine business and investment strategies.
  • Value Vouchers – Financial support of up to €5,000 per voucher.
  • Mentor Matching – Access to an extensive network of industry experts and investors.

In 2024, LS@W coordinates two Venture Challenges, four Expert Classes, and 12 Value Vouchers. Our network includes 200+ Life Sciences start-ups and scale-ups, making it a vibrant hub for innovation.

Public-private collaboration is at the core of LS@W. We are continuously seeking partners to contribute both financially and content-wise to strengthen and expand the program.

Working with us means: you start a successful company that will make a difference.

 

Our Mission Venture Challenge Spring

Our mission is to help scientists create impact by transforming their research into successful businesses in the fields of drug development, medical devices, and diagnostics. 

The Netherlands ranks among the top countries in scientific research. However, it lags behind in the number of successful life sciences startups, which limits the valorization of knowledge generated within the country. To address this, a shift in academic culture is necessary. LifeSciences@Work aims to make entrepreneurship a natural and widely embraced path following a PhD trajectory. 

Our Vision 

We envision a society where scientific advancements in the life sciences contribute to the development of better medicines, diagnostics, and medical technologies—ultimately leading to improved healthcare and economic growth. 

To achieve this vision, strong collaboration is essential between local stakeholders (universities, applied sciences institutions (HBO’s), and local incubators) and national organizations (such as LifeSciences@Work, Techleap, Biotech Booster, and public funding bodies). 

Researchers are introduced to the entrepreneurial path at an early stage. Potential startups are identified within universities at an early phase, and vibrant local programs—such as Utrecht Inc and Unlock—provide initial support. Additionally, these emerging companies can seamlessly transition to national initiatives, where they receive targeted coaching, access to a vast life sciences network, and funding opportunities to scale their businesses. 

Through collective efforts, we anticipate an increase in the number of successful startups that generate tangible impact, propelling the Netherlands to the forefront of global innovation. 

Our core values

Core values

Recognition for LS@W Initiatives

The Venture Challenge, a flagship program of LifeSciences@Work, was honored with the European Enterprise Promotion Award 2022 (EEPA) in the category "Improving the Business Environment and Supporting the Digital Transition." This award recognizes the Venture Challenge’s impact in guiding aspiring Life Sciences entrepreneurs through intensive business development, culminating in investor pitches and real-world impact. Over 150 teams have participated since 2008, collectively raising over €800 million in funding. Click here for more information

Additionally, LifeSciences@Work was ranked #24 overall in the Financial Times list of Europe's Leading Startup Hubs 2024, excelling particularly in mentoring (#4) and networking (#9). This ranking highlights LS@W’s role as a top-tier accelerator in the European innovation ecosystem, supporting Life Sciences startups to scale and thrive. Click here for more information.

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