From Capital to Connections: Why Future Tech Ventures Supports the LIFE Science Conference

Future Tech Ventures is a Dutch investment fund focused on early-stage high-tech startups that create societal and economic impact, with strong links to knowledge institutions and the Northern Netherlands. According to fund manager Niek Huizenga, the early stage is crucial. “A great deal of innovation takes place within knowledge institutions, but not all innovations ultimately make it into practice. As an early-stage investor, we try to accelerate that development, take on some of the risk and support startups as they grow, so that the market can eventually take over.”

Innovation Award finalists

Future Tech Ventures’ role as an early-stage investor aligns closely with the position of LIFE Cooperative within the Life Sciences & Health ecosystem. LIFE Cooperative strengthens its members by facilitating networking and collaboration and providing access to talent, knowledge, facilities and funding. The LIFE Science Conference is one of the occasions where this ecosystem comes together in practice.

“LIFE Cooperative is a collaboration partner we work closely with. Life Sciences & Health is also one of the most important sectors in which we invest and where we want to be visible,” Huizenga explains. “That visibility within the LSH network is also important for the startups in our portfolio.”

That visibility will be particularly strong at this fifth edition of the LIFE Science Conference: three of the five finalists for the Innovation Award are companies in which Future Tech Ventures has invested – Flux Robotics, SPCTR and Limosa Immunodiagnostics B.V. “I’m very proud of that,” says Huizenga.

Everything a startup needs

For FTV, the value of the conference goes beyond visibility. For young companies, meeting the right people can help unlock the next stage of growth.

“At that stage, startups essentially need three things: access to markets, access to talent and access to capital,” says Huizenga. In his view, a conference offers an opportunity to connect these three needs. Entrepreneurs can meet potential customers and partners, attract talent and engage with investors.

“These are the places where everything a startup needs to take the next step comes together. And the LIFE Science Conference is a really important event in this sector.”

Ambition beyond the Northern Netherlands

Huizenga also sees a strong position for Groningen and the Northern Netherlands within the LSH sector. The presence of organisations such as UMCG, alongside other strong medical organisations and research centres, not only generates innovation and new startups but also attracts companies from outside the region.

According to Huizenga, the next step is to connect this regional strength with international ambition. The high-profile speakers at the LIFE Science Conference can help set that direction. “Speakers such as Peter Wennink and Ben Feringa set a certain point on the horizon and show what level of ambition is possible. We shouldn’t think too small in the North; we should ask ourselves: what impact can we make in the world?”