Utrecht Holdings
Utrecht Holdings is the Knowledge Transfer Office for Utrecht University and UMC Utrecht, helping researchers commercialize inventions through IP protection, licensing, and spin-off formation. It manages a €7.5M seed fund and a portfolio of 50+ science-based startups.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersUtrecht, Netherlands
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Utrecht Holdings does
Utrecht Holdings is the Knowledge Transfer Office (KTO) for Utrecht University (UU) and University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU), operating as a joint commercialization intermediary that guides academic researchers through a four-step knowledge transfer process (Impact Check, Patent Check, Start-up Check, Funding Check) to evaluate and advance inventions. Founded around 2000, the organization has supported 50+ spin-offs across Life Sciences, Medtech, Digital Innovation (including AI), and Sustainability, including TigaTx (engineered IgA monoclonal antibodies, awarded up to $33.5M by ARPA-H plus $2M NCI grant), NeuroNova TX (intranasal stem cell therapy for neonatal brain injury, Venture Challenge Spring 2025 winner), PrecorDx (non-invasive heart failure monitoring via RF sensing), AMT Medical (ELANA Heart Bypass), DialogueTrainer (CES Innovation Award 2023), Cyclomics (liquid biopsy), and Lumox (nanobody-targeted photodynamic therapy).
Its core offerings combine advisory services (IP protection, licensing negotiations, contract structuring, spin-off formation) with capital deployment programmes including the Make It Matter Voucher (up to €25,000 per project), Innovation Vouchers (€40,000 annually), the Utrecht Holdings Seed Fund (€7.5 million launched September 2024 by UU and UMCU), and the Infectious Diseases Innovation Fund / InFECT-TT (~€6 million, up to €1.5 million per company). Licensable technologies include the CAR-T BCMA platform, GelMap for expansion microscopy, catalytic ball milling for polyolefin recycling, the 3D HIP Titanium Implant licensed to Rita Leibinger GmbH, and the Orgonex bioreactor for organoid culture.
The organization is structured as two wholly-owned holding companies (UU Holding BV, BTW NL806771604B01; UMCU Holding BV, BTW NL806125214B01) and does not seek profit maximization; revenue derives from licensing royalties, equity stakes in spin-offs, and returns from the seed and infectious-disease funds, which flow back to UU and UMCU. Services to researchers are free of charge. Utrecht Holdings employs ~16 people plus two external finance staff, is led by Director Tessa Scharringhausen, operates from Bestuursgebouw at Heidelberglaan 8 in Utrecht, and is increasingly active in cross-institutional national programmes (InFECT-TT consortium with Amsterdam UMC, LUMC, Radboudumc, UMC Groningen; TTT.AI consortium with ten research institutions and LUMO Labs).
Utrecht Holdings firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Utrecht Holdings
- Legal name
- Utrecht Holdings
- Website
- https://utrechtholdings.nl
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Utrecht Holdings is the Knowledge Transfer Office for Utrecht University and UMC Utrecht, helping researchers commercialize inventions through IP protection, licensing, and spin-off formation. It manages a €7.5M seed fund and a portfolio of 50+ science-based startups.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Utrecht Holdings industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Technology Transfer and Commercialization Services
- NAICS
- Lessors of Nonfinancial Intangible Assets (except Copyrighted Works) (533110), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416)
- SIC
- Patent Owners & Lessors (6794), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)
- akta.pro primary industry
- IP Licensing, Transactions & Technology Transfer (BPAHAMAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Technology Transfer & Innovation-Driven Research Universities (High Commercialization) (EDAHABAH), Research Administration & Grants Management Support (Pre/Post-Award, Compliance) (EDAEALAO)
Keywords
Where Utrecht Holdings is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Utrecht
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Utrecht Holdings business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Licensing Royalties: Revenue from licensing academic IP to existing companies for commercial development
- Equity in Spin-offs: Ownership stakes in spin-off companies created from university research; returns flow back to UU and UMCU for innovation and research
- Investment Returns: Returns from seed fund investments in promising spin-offs
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Make It Matter Voucher Program - up to €25,000 for early-stage development |
| Other | Annual | Innovation Vouchers - €40,000 annually awarded to research groups |
| Other | Multi-year contract | InFECT-TT vouchers - up to €57,000 per proposition |
| Other | Multi-year contract | IDIF investments - up to €1.5 million per startup |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Utrecht Holdings product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Utrecht Holdings is the Knowledge Transfer Office (KTO) for Utrecht University and UMC Utrecht, supporting academic researchers in commercializing their inventions through a structured process that includes invention evaluation, IP protection (patent filing), licensing negotiations, spin-off formation, and early-stage funding. The organization offers a portfolio of funding programs including Make It Matter vouchers (up to €25,000), Innovation vouchers (€40,000 annually), and a €7.5 million Seed Fund to invest in science-based startups in Life Sciences, Medtech, Digital Innovation, and Sustainability.
Product overview
Utrecht Holdings is the Knowledge Transfer Office (KTO) for Utrecht University and UMC Utrecht, operating as a commercialization and investment organization rather than a product company. The organization offers a portfolio of services and programmes including the Make It Matter Voucher Program (up to €25,000), the Utrecht Holdings Seed Fund (€7.5 million), and the InFECT-TT/IDIF infectious diseases programme. Its portfolio of spin-off companies includes NeuroNova TX (stem cell therapy for brain injury), PrecorDx (heart failure monitoring), TigaTx (IgA antibody therapy), DialogueTrainer (conversation skills training), and Vascoscoop (dialysis imaging device). Technologies available for licensing include the CAR-T cell therapy platform for multiple myeloma, GelMap for expansion microscopy, catalytic ball milling for plastic recycling, and the 3D HIP Titanium Implant for canine hip dysplasia. The organization connects academic researchers with industry partners and investors to facilitate knowledge transfer across Life Sciences, Digital Innovations (including AI), and Sustainability domains.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Make It Matter Voucher Program: Early-stage funding program offering up to €25,000 to help researchers develop and validate their innovations
- Utrecht Holdings Seed Fund
Products and services
- Knowledge Transfer Office Services Core service offering supporting researchers at Utrecht University and UMC Utrecht in commercializing academic inventions through legal, strategic, and financial support. Includes invention evaluation, IP protection, licensing negotiations, spin-off formation, and connecting researchers with industry partners and investors across Life Sciences, Digital Innovations (AI), and Sustainability sectors.
- Make It Matter Voucher Program Provides up to €25,000 in funding for early-stage development work to help researchers test, prove, or refine research concepts and bring ideas closer to practical use. Available for researchers at Utrecht University and UMC Utrecht with commercially promising inventions.
- Utrecht Holdings Seed Fund €7.5 million seed fund investing in science-based startups from Utrecht University and UMC Utrecht focusing on Life Sciences, Medtech, Digital Innovation, and Sustainability. Managed by Utrecht Holdings with Timo Koopmans as Investment Manager.
- InFECT-TT National valorisation programme under InFECT-NL supporting preclinical academic innovations with vouchers up to €57,000 per proposition. Covers validation projects, proof-of-concept development, IP and regulatory strategy, business plan development, and market exploration for infectious diseases innovations across consortium partners including Amsterdam UMC, LUMC, UMC Utrecht, Radboudumc, and UMC Groningen.
- Infectious Diseases Innovation Fund (IDIF) Early-stage investment fund with approximately €6 million available for startups, with individual investments up to €1.5 million for preclinical and early clinical development in infectious diseases therapeutics, vaccines, and pandemic preparedness.
- TTT.AI Consortium €8 million consortium programme for AI knowledge transfer and early-phase funding for AI startups. Involves ten research institutions and LUMO Labs as investor, supporting AI innovations from Dutch universities.
- Innovation Voucher Program Annual program awarding €40,000 innovation vouchers to support promising research groups at Utrecht University and UMC Utrecht in advancing their work toward market application.
Quantifiable outcome
- 50+ spinoffs invested in since 2000
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Utrecht Holdings
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Utrecht Holdings technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Utrecht Holdings partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators12 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Utrecht Holdings competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Amsterdam UMC (AMC/VUmc) Technology Transfer: Amsterdam UMC operates the technology transfer function for Amsterdam's combined university medical centre, covering IP, licensing and spin-offs. Direct peer in life sciences commercialisation; co-participant in InFECT-TT alongside UMC Utrecht.
- Erasmus MC Technology Transfer: Erasmus MC operates a parallel technology transfer office for one of the largest Dutch university medical centres, focusing on life sciences and medtech commercialisation. Direct comparable in mandate, portfolio mix, and Dutch UMC ecosystem positioning; also a co-participant in the InFECT-TT consortium.
- LUMC (Leiden University Medical Center) Technology Transfer: LUMC runs technology transfer for Leiden's university medical centre, with life sciences and clinical translation focus. Direct comparable as a Dutch UMC TTO; co-participant in the InFECT-TT consortium.
- TU Delft / Delft Enterprises: TU Delft operates its own technology transfer and holding entity for a leading Dutch technical university, with stronger engineering/AI focus. Direct comparable as a Dutch university TTO; competes for AI and digital innovation spin-offs that overlap with UH's Digital Innovation vertical.
- Radboudumc Technology Transfer Office: Radboudumc runs a TTO serving a Dutch university medical centre, with similar focus on life sciences, medtech spin-offs and licensing. Direct comparable in structure, scale, and parent-institution model; also a co-participant in InFECT-TT.
- LURIS (Leiden University): LURIS is Leiden University's Knowledge Transfer Office, performing the same scouting, IP protection, licensing and spin-off creation role for a competing Dutch research university. Direct competitor for Dutch academic commercialisation talent, deals, and limited Dutch VC/grant pools.
- Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) Innovation Lab: TU/e operates technology transfer and incubation for a Dutch technical university with deep medtech and AI research. Direct comparable in mandate, with overlapping Digital Innovation focus and access to high-tech academic spin-offs.
- Wageningen University & Research (Valorisation): Wageningen's valorisation office commercialises IP from a leading Dutch research university in agri-food, sustainability, and life sciences. Direct comparable in structure and as a Dutch university TTO; partial overlap in sustainability spin-offs (e.g., BigCircle plastic recycling theme).
Emerging players
- Health~Holland (LifeSciences@Work): Health~Holland runs the LifeSciences@Work accelerator including the Venture Challenge that has selected multiple Utrecht Holdings portfolio companies (NeuroNova TX, PrecorDx). Adjacent ecosystem enabler, partially overlapping in catalysing Dutch life sciences spin-offs but not a direct competitor in IP licensing.
Regional players
- InnovationQuarter: InnovationQuarter is a Dutch regional development agency investing in and supporting innovation companies in South Holland, with overlap in university spin-off funding and corporate venture activities. Regional peer in Dutch deep-tech/tech-transfer funding; complementary rather than fully competing.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Utrecht Holdings social profiles
Digital presenceUtrecht Holdings financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Utrecht Holdings leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
Utrecht Holdings subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Utrecht Holdings funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Utrecht Holdings M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments4 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Utrecht Holdings
What does Utrecht Holdings do?
Utrecht Holdings is the Knowledge Transfer Office (KTO) for Utrecht University and UMC Utrecht, supporting academic researchers in commercializing their inventions through a structured process that includes invention evaluation, IP protection (patent filing), licensing negotiations, spin-off formation, and early-stage funding. The organization offers a portfolio of funding programs including Make It Matter vouchers (up to €25,000), Innovation vouchers (€40,000 annually), and a €7.5 million Seed Fund to invest in science-based startups in Life Sciences, Medtech, Digital Innovation, and Sustainability.
Is Utrecht Holdings a public or private company?
Utrecht Holdings is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Utrecht Holdings founded?
Utrecht Holdings was founded in 2000. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Utrecht Holdings based?
Utrecht Holdings is headquartered in Utrecht, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does Utrecht Holdings make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Licensing Royalties are the primary driver. The others are equity in Spin-offs and investment Returns.
Who are Utrecht Holdings's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Amsterdam UMC (AMC/VUmc) Technology Transfer, Erasmus MC Technology Transfer, LUMC (Leiden University Medical Center) Technology Transfer, TU Delft / Delft Enterprises, Radboudumc Technology Transfer Office, LURIS (Leiden University), Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) Innovation Lab and Wageningen University & Research (Valorisation). Health~Holland (LifeSciences@Work) is listed as an emerging player. InnovationQuarter is listed as a regional player.
Does Utrecht Holdings have an API?
No public API is recorded for Utrecht Holdings.
What industry is Utrecht Holdings in?
Utrecht Holdings's product category is Technology Transfer and Commercialization Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHAMAF, IP Licensing, Transactions & Technology Transfer, with a secondary code of EDAHABAH, Technology Transfer & Innovation-Driven Research Universities (High Commercialization). Its NAICS code is 533110 and its SIC code is 6794.