Health~Holland Update March 2016

The first Health~Holland Update of 2016 informs you about the latest developments at Top Sector LSH, including two programmes that help entrepreneurs build their business. Read more about the LifeSciences@Work Accelerator and HHINT Starter programme in this Update. We highlight some regional developments within the sector via the examples of the Eindhoven University of Technology and Brabant Development Agency. We emphasise open calls like the Translational Research Programme, Building Blocks of Life and the new JPI-HDHL call. You can read more about successful past events and we draw your attention to upcoming Health~Holland Events in April and May like the meetup of Health Foundations and Companies on 12 May.

Foreword Jan Raaijmakers

Building the Future

Everybody working in the Life Sciences and Health sector is linked by the common desire to build a better future. Top Sector Life Sciences & Health (LSH) facilitates this shared ambition by stimulating the sector’s entrepreneurial activities. As part of its mission, Top Sector LSH aims to help entrepreneurs in building their businesses. I would like to illustrate our efforts by highlighting two of our programmes.


Firstly, the LifeSciences@Work accelerator that helps scientists with their first steps in business development. As an academic, developing business skills is crucial for valorising your research and establishing a start-up company. By offering an educational programme on value proposition, financial models, and how to pitch, the LifeSciences@Workprogramme does just that.


Secondly, Top Sector LSH has officially launched a SME support programme for international opportunities (HHINT Starter), in collaboration with the Task Force Health Care. This programme supports companies who want to explore their export potential. It is a fantastic first step towards internationalisation of innovative Dutch successes.


Other key ingredients for building the sector’s future are human capital, a strong foundation of basic research, public-private capital, and access to finance. Top Sector LSH therefore addresses all of these important ingredients in its activities.


However the sector cannot be developed further without building the Top Sector itself. The Top Team and the executive office therefore came together to enhance and sharpen the strategy of Top Sector LSH. The meeting was fruitful and we are currently drafting the next steps.


As part of our ambition to increase regional involvement and visibility, the advisory board meeting took place in Eindhoven. Organising these meetings in different regions give them the opportunity to present their activities, of which Eindhoven kicked off. Philips hosted the meeting and presented its inspiring vision for the future of healthcare. If your organisation would like to host a Top Sector meeting, feel free to contact us!


Let’s join forces and build a better future together! Innovation to all!


Jan Raaijmakers
Chairman of the top team Life Sciences & Health

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