From research to business: Venture Challenge featured in BNR Beter
A new episode of the Dutch podcast BNR Beter highlights the journey from academic research to successful entrepreneurship in the Life Sciences & Health sector, featuring the Venture Challenge.
In the episode, Chrétien Herben, programme director of LifeSciences@Work and co-founder of the Venture Challenge, joins Bram Schermers, CEO of Sirius Medical and Venture Challenge alumnus (2014), to discuss what it takes to build a medical start-up.
Bridging the gap from lab to market
The episode explores one of the key challenges in the Dutch innovation ecosystem: translating promising research into viable companies. While many innovations originate in academia, they often struggle to reach the market. The Venture Challenge addresses this gap through an intensive 10-week programme that supports researchers in developing a strong business case.
Over the past years, Venture Challenge alumni have collectively raised over €1 billion in follow-on funding, demonstrating the programme’s impact on strengthening the Life Sciences & Health ecosystem.
Learning to think like an entrepreneur
Both speakers reflect on the mindset shift required to move from science to business. For many researchers, this means learning to prioritise, validate assumptions and adopt a more commercial perspective.
Bram Schermers, who participated in the programme with what is now Sirius Medical, highlights how the Venture Challenge helped shape his early entrepreneurial journey, despite not winning the competition.
Spotlight on new innovation
The episode also features a contribution from the latest Venture Challenge winner, Syntric Medical, presented during Innovation for Health. The company is developing a CT-guided robotic solution to improve the accuracy and safety of lung biopsies.
Listen to the full episode of BNR Beter to learn more about the journey from research to real-world impact.
Source: BNR beter
