Biotech Booster connects Business Developers and the newly introduced Impact Developers to the broader ecosystem. While both roles focus on transforming knowledge into impact, they operate in different contexts. Since the role of the Impact Developer was recently introduced at Universities of Applied Science, we plan to feature monthly interviews with Impact Developers in our program.
If you have an idea at a UAS or are an industry partner seeking applied R&D, connect with the innovators featured in this series and explore opportunities to collaborate.
Who are you, and what does your role look like in practice?
My name is Stephanie van Hoppe. For the past two years, I have worked as an Impact Developer in the Thematic Cluster for Diagnostics and Services, supporting Biotech Booster and IXA-HvA.
No two days are the same in my role. Collaborating with colleagues from the University of Amsterdam has opened my eyes to the unique ways universities and universities of applied sciences approach valorization. At HvA, I am always on the lookout for promising biotech projects, guiding them as they take their next steps. Through Biotech Booster, we empower other Impact Developers and universities of applied sciences across the Netherlands. I also dive into Level 1 Biotech Booster projects, where I coach teams to sharpen their skills and boost their odds of success in the biotech world.
No two days are the same in my role. Collaborating with colleagues from the University of Amsterdam has opened my eyes to the unique ways universities and universities of applied sciences approach valorization. At HvA, I am always on the lookout for promising biotech projects, guiding them as they take their next steps. Through Biotech Booster, we empower other Impact Developers and universities of applied sciences across the Netherlands. I also dive into Level 1 Biotech Booster projects, where I coach teams to sharpen their skills and boost their odds of success in the biotech world.
What inspires or drives you most about working at a University of Applied Sciences?
It’s inspiring to work with people who make discoveries to help others or improve our planet. What I like most about working at a UAS is that you can quickly see the potential impact of an innovation.
What kinds of people do you collaborate with most in your role?
Most of my collaborations are with scientists, whether they are at Universities of Applied Sciences or universities throughout the Netherlands. I especially love helping researchers imagine how their discoveries could make a difference beyond the academic world.
When do you feel like you’ve really made an impact on a project?
Sometimes, making an impact is as simple as encouraging someone to connect with a potential collaborator. When that spark leads to a thriving partnership, it’s incredibly rewarding. On a larger scale, guiding a project from its first spark of an idea to a full-fledged company, and seeing the team confidently move forward, fills me with pride. Ultimately, I’m driven by helping projects evolve and responding to the unique needs of each team.
What is something people often misunderstand about your work?
A publication alone rarely creates real-world impact, so my colleagues and I work together to find the best path for an invention to reach its users and truly make a difference. Since not every scientist dreams of becoming an entrepreneur, we also help connect inventions with people eager to take them further.
What would you like to see changed within the UAS environment?
I would absolutely love to see more openness from the scientists with their research to their UAS colleagues, such as myself, and thereby also more confidence in the relevance of their work. I am always happy to discuss science with scientists, so I would be selfishly happy if they reached out more.
What originally drew you to this type of work?
My passion for science runs deep, and I will always see myself as a scientist at heart. Yet, during my academic journey, I realized that while I loved the thrill of discovery, I didn’t want to spend my whole life in the lab. I became curious about how research could truly reach those who need it, rather than ending up as just another paper. What drew me to this work was the opportunity to blend science with business, staying close to innovation while helping research make a real-world impact. That combination feels like the perfect fit for me.
