San Diego – Innovation in the Silicon Slopes
The US adventure kicked off in Salt Lake City, affectionately called “Silicon Slopes” for its rapid rise as a major hub for sales technology companies. Set against stunning mountains, this city offered an energetic start for the founders to explore the American startup scene.
The program began with an invaluable “founder-to-founder day,” grounded in the idea that the best lessons often come from those who have built companies themselves. The academic entrepreneurs connected with inspiring local leaders like Stephan (from Cotopaxi), Eric and Dennis (from Podium), and Sid (from Album VC). These experienced entrepreneurs generously shared their personal journeys, valuable insights, and tough lessons learned. Discussions ranged from choosing the right investors (and recognizing when one isn’t a good fit) to building a brand on a tight budget, delivering a compelling pitch, keeping a team motivated, and staying focused when resources are scarce. A key message that resonated throughout the day was: start small, be resourceful, and always prioritize financial sustainability. The exceptional openness and generosity of Salt Lake City’s startup community left participants feeling incredibly inspired and energized.
San Diego – A Hub for Life Sciences and Innovation
The next stop was San Diego, a city renowned for its strength in life sciences, cleantech, and software. Home to over 1,200 life sciences companies and more than 80 research institutes, San Diego is a pivotal center for innovation. The founders visited institutions like San Diego State University and UC San Diego, where they gained valuable insights into the city’s public-private partnerships and the ecosystem that fosters startup growth.
A highlight of the visit was the tour of Illumina Ventures, a leading venture capital firm specializing in genomics and precision health. The founders gained a deeper understanding of how venture capital can accelerate early-stage companies, particularly in life sciences, and drive advancements in health technology.
San Francisco – The Heart of Tech Innovation
The final stop of the program was San Francisco, a global epicenter of technology and innovation. Known for its role as the birthplace of iconic companies, the city provided the perfect environment for exploring the entrepreneurial world. The founders visited Stanford University and UC Berkeley—two prestigious institutions that have helped shape some of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs.
In San Francisco, the founders participated in pitch sessions, attended panels on the US venture landscape, and took part in multiple networking opportunities. Intimate Founder dinners allowed for deeper discussions and connections with entrepreneurs, investors, and mentors shaping the global innovation ecosystem.
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Key Takeaways and Impact
The program provided invaluable insights into scaling a startup within the US market. Founders learned how to navigate investor relationships, pitch effectively, and build sustainable businesses in a competitive landscape. Additionally, the program facilitated connections with a diverse network of entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and industry leaders—connections that will be vital as these founders continue to grow their ventures.
The success of the program was made possible through the support of a broad range of partners, founders, institutions, and program friends. Their generosity in sharing expertise, resources, and insights played a crucial role in creating a meaningful and impactful experience for the participants. This collaborative effort was instrumental in ensuring the program’s success, and the contributions of everyone involved have helped shape a truly invaluable journey for the founders.
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Academic Startup Program is designed to empower Dutch academic founders to confidently explore the US market, enhance their entrepreneurial skills, and integrate into global innovation networks. Organized by ScaleNL for the 10 winners of the Academic Startup Competition, the program opens doors to the most exciting innovation hubs in the US.
Academic Startup Competition, co-organized by Techleap, is where Dutch academic entrepreneurs compete for a spot among the top 10 science-based startups in the Netherlands. These startups typically emerge as academic spin-offs or boast robust partnerships with renowned Dutch research institutes. They are characterized by a minimum of two founders and initial funding, and they either have a strong technical foundation or leverage social sciences to disrupt outdated systems.
Techleap is a non-profit organization, funded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, helping to quantify and accelerate the tech-ecosystem of the Netherlands.
ScaleNL is the first public-private organization that helps promising Dutch Tech startups scale to the US. With its comprehensive toolbox, ScaleNL offers a platform, education, mentorship, access to funding, and flagship programs like the ScaleNL Accelerator, to equip founders with the resources and connections they need to succeed in the US.
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