Welcome to the Rotterdam Square newsletter, May edition!
The Life Sciences & Health ecosystem in the Rotterdam region is thriving with innovation, collaboration, and fresh opportunities. In this edition, we are sharing with you the latest highlights from the past few weeks and what is coming next - from new partnerships to inspiring events designed to expand your network and help your company grow.
There is lots more to explore, so be sure to visit our website for even more updates. Enjoy reading!
- Team Rotterdam Square |
|
|
|
|
|
|
YES!Delft and Rotterdam Square launch MedTech edition of Accelerator Program
|
|
|
|
YES!Delft and Rotterdam Square are joining forces to launch a special MedTech edition of the renowned YES!Delft Accelerator Program. This collaboration aims to fast-track the growth of promising MedTech startups by providing them with the resources, mentorship, and network needed to scale their innovations. |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Pitch your innovation at the Responsible AI in Health Care Conference 2025 |
|
|
|
As part of the first edition of the Responsible AI in Health Care Conference, taking place in Rotterdam on September 11-12, 2025, six innovative startups and scale-ups will be selected to present their AI-driven healthcare solutions during the Start-up Pitch Competition. Hosted by Convergence - the strategic collaboration between Erasmus MC, Erasmus University Rotterdam, and TU Delft - this competition offers a prize of €10,000 for the most promising AI innovation. From diagnostics to clinical workflow support - if you are using AI responsibly to improve healthcare, don't miss out on this opportunity to showcase your solution!
Applications are open until June 12, 2025. Apply now by completing this form and sending your pitch deck to craihc@erasmusmc.nl. Click below for more information and the pitch requirements. |
|
|
| |
|
|
Healthy Funding returns to Rotterdam with a vibrant new 2025 edition |
On Thursday, April 17, the rooftop of the Groot Handelsgebouw transformed into a dynamic hub for promising companies and investors during the new 2025 edition of Healthy Funding! This vibrant event brought together innovators and capital to spark new connections and opportunities in the Life Sciences & Health sector. |
| |
Apply now for the HealthTech Investor Summit pitching pre-selection |
Applications are now open for the regional pitching pre-selection for the HealthTech Investor Summit (HIS 2025). Selected startups will receive significant discounts to join the main event in Utrecht, the Netherlands (8-10 December 2025), and will automatically qualify for a guaranteed pitching slot, bypassing further selection rounds and juries. |
|
|
|
Stock options for employees of innovative startups and scale-ups |
The Dutch government has proposed a new tax facility to encourage employee participation. This facility is specifically aimed at employee stock option plans of “innovative startups and scale-ups” and aims to attract talent and promote the growth of these companies. Click 'Read more' for the key points of the proposed facility. |
| |
Venture Challenge Fall Round 2025 now open |
NWO has opened the fall round of the Venture Challenge. This program is for entrepreneurial Life Sciences & Health and MedTech researchers. Over a period of eight to ten weeks, they will receive guidance in developing their business plan and setting up their company. For this round, the Ministry of Economic Affairs (EZ) has increased the budget, allowing six additional teams with a specific focus on MedTech innovations to participate. |
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
If you have Life Sciences & Health news you would like to share through
our newsletter, let us know. |
|
|
| |
|
|
MEET THE NEW ROTTERDAM ARRIVALS |
|
|
|
The South Holland region has recently welcomed four innovative companies from Hungary, the UK, Turkey, and Australia. Among these companies, two have chosen Rotterdam as their new home, reinforcing the city’s international mindset and reputation as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurial growth. Take a look at the newest arrivals: |
|
|
|
The Organoid Company, founded in Australia in 2024 by Thomas Mitchell, Prof. Ernst Wolvetang, and Gabriel Hammond, is on a mission to lower drug development barriers by providing accessible digital biology tools and rapid testing using cost-effective organoid models to advance biomedical discovery. |
|
|
|
Phospho, a biomedical animation company founded in London in 2014 by Dr. Jeroen Claus, a former cancer researcher, recognized the challenges scientists face when visually communicating cutting-edge research. After 10+ years in London, Phospho recently moved its main office to Rotterdam. |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
Do you want to be featured in one of our upcoming newsletters? Contact us. |
|
|
| |
|
|
Rotterdam Square Event: Bridging the Gap - From Innovation to Implementation in MedTech |
|
|
| |
|
Technology is essential to the healthcare of tomorrow. That is why we are excited to invite you to the upcoming Rotterdam Square Event on Thursday, May 15, 2025, all about the theme: Bridging the Gap – From Innovation to Implementation in MedTech. Join us for an inspiring afternoon where key players in the MedTech ecosystem come together to explore MedTech – one of our focus areas – and how we can bridge the gap between groundbreaking innovation and successful implementation in healthcare. |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
Matching Event for Healthcare Innovators |
| |
|
| |
|
CIC Monthly x Rotterdam Square: Europe as a Launchpad |
| |
|
| |
|
RAI Convention Centre,
Amsterdam |
|
|
| |
|
Rotterdam Square Life Science Café: Summer Edition! |
| |
Dudok in het Park,
Rotterdam |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
Upstream Festival 2025: everything startups and scale-ups need to grow |
|
|
|
On May 21 and 22, 2025, the Upstream Festival returns to Rotterdam for its sixth edition - a vibrant event centered around innovation, ambition, and growth. Over 45 partners and a curated group of startup and scale-up founders, investors, corporates, and policy makers from across Europe will come together to help entrepreneurs take their next step.
This year’s main stage is Annabel, Rotterdam’s iconic pop music venue, with inspiring side events happening all over the city - including: |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
NL Startup Competition:
Grand Final |
| |
|
| |
|
Interested in joining Upstream? Tickets are going fast! Secure your spot today and use our exclusive discount code ROTTERDAMSQUARE for 15% off. |
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
Do you want to receive invitations to Rotterdam Square events?
Sign up for our mailing list. |
|
|
| |
|
|
Rotterdam Square is the campus organization of the Erasmus MC Campus that connects the Life Sciences & Health ecosystem in the Rotterdam region. We bring together experts in healthcare, science and technology, from academia and industry, to accelerate Health&Tech innovations and create healthcare solutions for the future. Are you curious to see what we can do for you? Get in touch! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Molewaterplein 40
3015 GD Rotterdam
Netherlands |
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
