Amsterdam-based Biotech Booster secures €196.4M to accelerate Dutch innovations
New funding to advance biotech innovations
Biotech Booster, a Dutch programme designed to fast-track biotechnological discoveries into market-ready ventures, has received a €196.4 million injection from the National Growth Fund. The funding award, now confirmed after an initial conditional allocation, ensures the programme’s continuity until 2032.
Biotech Booster was established in 2022 to tackle one of the Netherlands’ long-standing challenges: despite leading internationally in biotech publications and patents, the commercialisation of these innovations has historically lagged. The programme bridges the so-called ‘valley of death’ by providing financial support, mentoring, and networking opportunities to guide scientific breakthroughs from idea to investable business proposition.
Investments like this are essential to bring innovations to society faster, create new business and develop solutions to major health, food supply and sustainability challenges. We look forward to further developing the programme in the coming years and supporting many more researchers and entrepreneurs in marketing their innovations.
Nettie Buitelaar, CEO of Biotech Booster.
Since its inception, 71 projects have been admitted to Biotech Booster, including breakthroughs ranging from new therapeutic platforms and fungal-based water purification systems to sustainable biodegradable seed coatings. The programme’s new funding tranche is part of a €246 million allocation reserved by the National Growth Fund in 2022, following a successful evaluation of its first phase.
How is the Dutch capital shaping the future of life sciences?
Amsterdam’s life sciences and health sector has seen steady growth over the past five years, reflected in the rise of innovative health tech companies. HealthSage AI reduces admin for doctors, Kepler Vision uses smart tech to monitor elderly patients, and Lapsi Health redefines diagnostics with an AI stethoscope.
Initiatives like Biotech Booster highlight the value of linking academic research with entrepreneurial infrastructure, which helps shape the ecosystem.
Biotech Booster will be key for Amsterdam innovators to keep the city at the forefront of biotech and life sciences. Now preparing for its 2026 intake, the programme offers a new wave of entrepreneurial researchers the tools to turn groundbreaking lab discoveries into viable, high-impact ventures.