Kickstart your health business
Join our online RAPID Health Program
Are you an international startup or scale-up? And are you looking for a place as a next step to enter the Dutch and European Life Sciences & Health market? Utrecht Region is a globally competitive destination for Life Sciences businesses in the heart of the Netherlands. The combination of our top-ranked academic institutions, a wide range of locations including Utrecht Science Park and a great support network makes our region unique. With our online Rapid Health Program, we actively support you in your business journey and give you access to investments, research and pilot programs.
Why Utrecht Region?
Utrecht Region offers you a competitive and innovative business climate with excellent academic and research infrastructure. The region is one of the top 3 most progressive European regions regarding the Life Sciences & Health market. We are proactively innovating and transforming healthcare through our Health Hub Utrecht, a collaboration between more than 50 organisations and institutions. Besides, the city of Utrecht has reportedly more than 100 startups in life sciences, healthcare and medical technology, gaming, cleantech and IT.
Utrecht Science Park
Utrecht Science Park (USP) is the center of our region. Here, we bring together competencies in the fields of research, education, clinical care and entrepreneurship. This combined expertise is used to design and create healthier, safer and more sustainable cities for today and for future generations. USP offers prime locations for companies in the Life Sciences and Health sector. The Prinses Máxima Centre for paediatric oncology, Bioceros, Genmab, Merus and Nutricia Research are just some of the organisations already established at USP. Purpose-built business accommodation is available for innovative startups and scale-ups as well as for large enterprises.
The advantages of this program
- Professional and compact online program
- Next steps to access Dutch and European markets
- 1-1 support by business, clinical and validation experts and coaches
- Direct access to investments, research and pilot programs
- Diverse international participants
- Become part of an international community of entrepreneurs
A dynamic startup and scale-up ecosystem
There are many initiatives in the region that can help you as an ambitious startup or scale-up with opening up the access to capital, corporates, customers and skills. During and after this program, you will get tailored support of some of these initiatives. Examples are: StartupUtrecht, Startup Inresidence, Local Economic Fund, Utrecht incubators UtrechtInc., Dutch Game Garden, StudentsInc., Life Science Incubator and Venturebuilder Holland Startup.
"The Rapid Health Program helps startups and scale-ups in a professional way and creates precious business opportunities from their network. Their network helped us to increase our chance of collaborating with quality Dutch partners. As a business developer, I must say this is an ideal program for startups and scale-ups to participate and explore." - Wayne Hou, MedicusTek
The online program - Start 18 September 2020
Step 1
Pre-meetings to discuss the possibilities for online meetings, in-depth support and pitching options.
Step 2
In-depth support for the 1-1 scheduled online meetings, preparation, feedback on pitch and business opportunities. Online matchmaking and virtual demo possibilities.
Step 3
Call with a potential customer, demo and pitch events, discuss next steps for a possible soft landing, distributions channels, funding (grants and investments) and cooperation with regional stakeholders.
Follow-up possibilities after the program
- Business development plan discussions with Economic Board Utrecht
- Incubator/Fieldlab participation
- Tailored support by organising parties in your own region or country
- Tailored support by THINC, UtrechtInc., StartupUtrecht and team Trade & Invest Utrecht Region about validation programs, incubator programs and softlanding into the Netherlands.
Get in touch with our specialist for customised support on how to join the next online RAPID Health Program this September.
Jelle van der Weijde
jelle.vanderweijde@economicboardutrecht.nl
+31 6 47556548