Utrecht University Holding and Management Innovation Fund

What they do

Founded in 1998, Utrecht Holdings serves as the Knowledge Transfer Office (KTO) for Utrecht University and UMC Utrecht, bridging the gap between academic research and commercialization. Through its dedicated investment arm, the Utrecht Holdings Seed Fund (UHSF), it provides crucial pre-seed and seed equity capital to science-based startups originating from or linked to its parent institutions. The firm is highly regarded in the Dutch ecosystem for its hands-on approach to intellectual property management, business development, and legal structuring.

What they look for

The fund invests in science-based startups that reflect the research focus of its parent institutions. Its primary goal is to bridge the "valley of death" between academic discovery and commercialization, creating broader societal and economic impact from scientific research. They look for startups with a direct link to Utrecht University or UMC Utrecht, strong intellectual property, a clear market entry strategy, substantiated financial forecasts (specifically a 5-year P&L), defined development milestones, and a capable team.

Stage

Pre-seed, Seed, Series A

Sectors

Healthcare, AI, Climate

Based

Utrecht, NL