Alumni news: ExCulture Wins €10,000 Prize at NL Startup Competition!

ExCulture, a LifeSciences@Work Venture Challenge alumnus, was named the winner of the €10,000 Energy & Environment award at the NL Startup Competition, held during the Upstream Festival 2025 in Rotterdam.

The competition, which brings together top Dutch startups across multiple sectors, provided a platform for innovative companies to present their solutions to an expert jury and investor audience. ExCulture was represented by CEO Aisling Foley and CSO Ilaria Poledri, who delivered a joint pitch and Q&A session as part of the Energy & Environment track.

Animal-Free Heparin Innovation

ExCulture’s mission is to develop a next-generation, animal-free heparin, the world’s most widely used blood thinner. Using a novel bioprocess, the company aims to provide a sustainable and ethically produced alternative to current animal-derived heparin, with applications in healthcare worldwide.

Recognition and Future Opportunities

In addition to the €10,000 prize, ExCulture was awarded a ticket to the Bootcamp of the Top 250 Entrepreneurship World Cup (EWC), a global competition designed to support high-potential startups.

The team used the event as an opportunity to connect with investors, fellow startups, and ecosystem partners. The competition was part of a broader Upstream Festival programme designed to accelerate innovation and entrepreneurship in the Netherlands.

Source: LinkedIn