On November 11, 2025, Biotech Booster hosted its annual Project Day at Mariënhof Amersfoort: a day dedicated to connecting the Dutch biotech community and accelerating the journey from scientific discovery to societal impact.
The event marked the official start for the 2025 cohort of projects and a reunion for those launched in 2024. It brought together 225+ people from across the ecosystem, including Biotech Booster’s pool of experienced entrepreneurs and experts, industry partners, investors and many more. Over 70 project teams gathered to exchange knowledge, explore collaboration opportunities, and strengthen the bridge between academia and industry that Biotech Booster was founded to build.
From research to real-world impact
In their opening remarks, CEO Nettie Buitelaar and CBO Marco de Boer emphasized Biotech Booster’s core mission: to close the gap between academic research and market application. By creating the right conditions – financial support, expertise, and network – Biotech Booster enables promising biotech findings to evolve into viable solutions that benefit society.
The morning program featured breakout sessions for each Thematic Cluster, with project pitches and Q&A sessions to help exchange knowledge, network and build a shared understanding of the pitfalls and opportunities that are specific for each cluster.
Equipping project teams for commercialization
In the afternoon, participants joined interactive workshops designed to strengthen entrepreneurial and strategic skills essential for bringing science to market.
- FFUND guided participants through Forecasting under uncertainty, offering practical tools for informed decision-making in complex environments.
- Gritd explored Market validation, focusing on identifying customer needs, refining value propositions and identifying key areas of focus.
- Frank Smallegange’s Pitching with impact session helped attendees sharpen their persuasive communication- and storytelling skills.
- Mira Vasic led Building start-up teams, highlighting how to form effective and diverse collaborations.
These sessions reflect Biotech Booster’s holistic approach: supporting not just technological development, but also the entrepreneurial capabilities that drive sustainable commercialization.
Building bridges
To conclude the day, ten projects presented one-minute pitches to the full audience, followed by matchmaking rounds and an informal networking session. The atmosphere reflected Biotech Booster’s essence: connecting academia, entrepreneurs, and industry experts to transform biotech ideas into real-world innovations.
Project Day 2025 exemplified how Biotech Booster aims to be the central Dutch hub for all stakeholders in biotechnology valorization to create impact for society, economy and environment. By connecting different worlds, the program accelerates the commercialization of biotech innovations – ensuring that what starts in the lab truly reaches and benefits society.
